I do not personally believe that wildlife gardens are nothing but an ugly, overgrown mess, but you’d be amazed at how many times I hear that from those who consider themselves “real” gardeners. Unfortunately, the gardening world, like the rest of the country, is full of divisiveness, an US vs THEM attitude that can sometimes [...]
Most Hated Plants
We are accumulating a library of the “most hated” invasive plants, which we regularly update. Removal and control of invasive species costs taxpayers more than 32 billion every year. Many of these plants were introduced for sale by the horticultural and landscaping industry to satisfy a seemingly insatiable desire to have the most exotic plants [...]
Oriental Bittersweet on Most Hated Plants List
Every week, we discuss one of the “Most Hated” plants, plants that are so invasive and damaging to ecosystems that they should never be planted, let alone sold. Many of these plants were introduced into this country as ornamentals by the horticultural industry and have since escaped the garden and are running rampant through native [...]
Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
The UN has just announced that invasive species and climate change are the biggest threat to ecosystems and biodiversity. The cost of controlling invasive plants in the US is estimated at more than $138 billion every year. But invasive plants continue to be sold by the horticultural trade who have turned a blind eye to [...]
Chinese Lespedeza makes “Most Hated Plants” List
Our continuing feature looking at the worst of the worst invasive plants continues with Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), also known as Chinese Bush Clover or Sericea Lespedeza. This plant has been listed as a noxious weed and its sale is banned in Colorado and Kansas. I chose this plant because Ecosystem Gardening has a great [...]
Ecosystem Gardening Best of the Web #10
It’s time again for my weekly roundup of the most interesting tidbits from around the web. There is a plethora of great information for Ecosystem Gardeners and this weekly collection is my way of sharing with you the things that caught my attention this week To start, here’s a totally amazing photo of a Hawk [...]
Paulownia (Princess Tree) on “Most Hated Plants” List
Known as the Princess Tree, Empress Tree, and Royal Empress Tree, Paulownia Trees are highly invasive and are destroying native ecosystems from Maine to Florida and Texas, as well as the Pacific Northwest. However, open almost any gardening magazine and you’ll find adds touting this tree as an “amazing, fast-growing, shade tree.” It is this [...]
Brazilian Pepper Tree on “Most Hated Plants” List
Last week when I wrote about Norway Maple being one of my “most hated” invasive plants, I posted this question on twitter: What’s your most-hated plant? Norway Maple tops my list. Tell me yours at: http://bit.ly/2Q2ih0 (@CB4wildlife) And I got this response from @Gr8RedApe: Brazilian Pepper Tree. Listen to the frustration this plant causes: @CB4wildlife [...]
Norway Maple makes “Most Hated Plants” List
You may have noticed by now that invasive plants make me a little angry as well as the people who continue to plant invasives, and especially the people who continue to sell invasive plants. Or rather, they really TICK ME OFF. So I’m going to start a new series in which I highlight a specific [...]
Why Your Ecosystem Garden Matters, Even When We Already Have Protected Lands
I’ve been asked this question many times so I thought I’d answer it here so we can discuss it. “We have national and state parks, wildlife refuges, Nature Conservancy properties, and many others. Isn’t that enough?” In a word, no. Many national and state lands are subject to “multiple use” clauses, which may include logging, [...]
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