10

Popular Landscaping Plants

You Should Get Rid of ASAP

Bradford pears don’t support wildlife, insects, or pollinators. In fact, they choke out native trees and plants, creating food deserts.

1. Bradford Pear  (Pyrus calleryana)

The compact variety is not considered invasive; the winged burning bush, identified by the brown “wings” that run along each stem, is an invasive shrub.

2. Burning Bush  (Euonymus alatus)

This vigorous vine produces massive clusters of tiny white, intensely fragrant flowers in the fall.

3. Sweet Autumn Clematis  (Clematis terniflora)

In addition to rapid growth and reproduction through masses of seeds, this tree secretes a toxic chemical into the soil, killing surrounding plants.

4. Tree of Heaven  (Ailanthus altissima)

In the wild, butterfly bush crowds out native plants, some of which provide habitat for caterpillars, and is invasive throughout the Pacific and Atlantic Coast states.

5. Butterfly Bush  (Buddleja davidii)

When it climbs into the forest canopy, it obscures tree foliage from the sunlight, rendering the host tree incapable of photosynthesis.

6. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Able to grow to 50 feet, privet crowds native plants that attract pollinators.

7. Privet (Ligustrum)

As it spreads, barberry displaces native plants and is considered invasive in and around the Northeast U.S. It also alters the chemistry of the soil, turning it more alkaline.

8. Japanese Barberry  (Berberis thunbergii)

Japanese spirea can overtake native plants as it spreads to fields, forests, stream and river banks, and roadsides. Each plant produces hundreds of tiny seeds that remain viable for years and are easily spread by wind, water, or fill dirt.

9. Japanese spirea  (Spirea japonica)

In addition to suffocating other plants, mats of honeysuckle block the light.

10. Japanese Honeysuckle  (Lonicera japonica)

More on

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Garden Beds and Potted Plants

Get the Newsletter

14 Of the Most Dangerous Plants in America

Sign up to receive the best tips and tricks, the latest news and giveaways, and the most inspiring home improvement ideas from Bob Vila, America's Handyman since 1979.

Subscribe Now