Some plant should come with a monition recording label .

They look devoid — gorgeous , even — describe up at the garden centre , much begging to be carted home . But pros ? They take the air right past them without a second glance . And no , it ’s not because they ’re works snobs .

These are the heartbreakers . The prima donna . The high - care calamity - in - wait .

They might turn like gangbusters — until they do n’t . Or they might spread like wildfire and take your whole yard surety . Either way , there ’s a ground seasoned landscapers avoid them like a rake to the mortise joint .

Before you meet your cart with trouble , find out what the pros already jazz . Your future self ( and your weekend schedule ) will give thanks you .

English Ivy

English Ivy may call forth intellection of magic honest-to-god building , but its incursive tendencies are a nightmare for landscapes . This aggressive climbing iron can stifle trees and shrub , leading to instability and even end of the legion plant . While it ’s visually sympathetic , English Ivy command constant maintenance to keep it from taking over . Landscapers prefer to fend off it due to its fast-growing growth , which can damage social structure and disrupt ecosystem . rather of English Ivy , consider aboriginal climbing plants that offer a standardised esthetic without the ecological disruption .

Bamboo

Bamboo might bring to mind serene Asiatic gardens , but its rapid development can quickly work it into a landscaping headache . Known for its invasive nature , bamboo can spread uncontrollably , encroaching on neighboring properties and ecosystems . This plant ’s unappeasable growth ask ceaseless surveillance and direction , making it unsuitable for many landscaping projects . Landscapers usually steer clear of bamboo to avoid unintended upshot and high-pitched sustenance cost . choose for clunking varieties that are less invasive if you ’re keen on incorporating bamboo into your garden .

Mint

Mint is a beloved herbaceous plant care for for its bracing perfume and culinary usage . However , its strong-growing growth can quickly overrun a garden . Mint spreads via underground runner , making it difficult to see to it once establish . landscaper avoid implant slew straight in garden beds , as it can scrag out other works and require excessive management . Using container or isolated areas helps turn back its growth . see other redolent herbs that propose similar benefit without the aggressive bed covering , such as lavender or rosemary .

Norway Maple

The Norway Maple stands tall and proud , offer abundant shade with its broad canopy . However , its dense nicety and shallow root organization can make it a problematic pick . This tree often outcompetes native species for nutrients and light , interrupt the delicate Libra of local ecosystems . Landscapers often go around Norway Maple due to its invasive tendency and heavy folio litter . Planting aboriginal trees like the Sugar Maple can provide similar shade benefits while endure local wildlife .

Japanese Barberry

Japanese Barberry entrance with its vivacious color and ornamental allure , but its ecological impact is less witching . This bush can spread rapidly and make slow thickets , outcompeting aboriginal plants . Its presence is connect to increased check mark populations , add to its drawbacks for use in garden . Landscapers often avoid Japanese Barberry in favor of native shrubs that hold local beast and flora . see choice like Winterberry , which offer up beauty without the ecologic business concern .

Russian Olive

Russian Olive trees appear as a beacon of resiliency in arid landscapes , but their invasive nature contradict their initial charm . Known for their rapid feast , they can quickly overtake native botany . These tree often disrupt ecosystems by monopolise water and nutrients , creating a monoculture that ’s difficult to change by reversal . Landscapers favor to ward off Russian Olive to sustain ecological balance . take native drought - immune tree that conflate with the existing landscape painting and support biodiversity .

Wisteria

Wisteria ’s romanticistic , cascading flowers are a nurseryman ’s dream , but its vigorous growing is a landscaper ’s quandary . This plant can flood out structures with its heavy vine , leading to possible legal injury . Wisteria requires diligent pruning and manage to keep its growth in stoppage , which is why landscape architect often short-circuit it in favor of less demanding climbers . view native anthesis vine that require less sustainment while providing a similar flowered video display .

Bradford Pear

Bradford Pear Tree are admired for their arresting spring heyday , yet their structural failing are cause for vexation . bed to have brittle branches , they often succumb to wind hurt . Their rapid growing can lead to weak wood and a short lifespan , making them a less suitable choice for sustainable landscapes . Landscapers run to avert Bradford Pear , opt for sturdier trees with longer liveliness spans . reckon planting native trees like the Serviceberry , which offer standardised stunner and hard resilience .

Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife ’s striking purple efflorescence may catch the eye , but its invasive nature is a scourge to wetlands . This plant can take form obtuse stand , outcompeting aboriginal flora and altering habitat . Its mien can go to reduced biodiversity and the disruption of aquatic ecosystems . Landscapers forfend Purple Loosestrife to protect aboriginal wetland and keep bionomic integrity . Native alternatives like Blue Vervain can provide similar floral appeal without the invasive consequences .

Common Reed (Phragmites)

Common Reed , or Phragmites , is a towering grass with an visit mien in wetlands . While it provides some habitat time value , its invasive nature often overshadows this benefit . genus Phragmites can form dense monoculture , strangle native metal money and altering water stream . landscape architect aim to control its spread to preserve lifelike wetland functions . aboriginal Mary Jane like Sedge can offer standardised ecologic benefits without the strong-growing bed covering .

Tree of Heaven

Tree of Heaven might go inspired , but its aggressive nature is far from heavenly . This fast - growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can apace dominate an area , crowding out native metal money and alter ecosystems . Its resilience makes it difficult to contain , leading landscapist to head off it in favor of more manageable trees . Additionally , its presence can lead to increased maintenance toll . Opt for aboriginal tree that patronage local biodiversity and involve less intervention .

Yellow Flag Iris

Yellow Flag Iris captivates with its lustrous flower and power to thrive in sozzled areas , but it often becomes trespassing . This flora can sharply spread in aquatic environs , outcompeting native metal money . The ecologic impact of Yellow Flag Iris is a concern for landscapers who prioritize exert natural balance . It can can important native plant , result to rock-bottom biodiversity . Consider native aquatic plants like Blue Flag Iris for like peach without the invasive risk .

Privet

Privet is often used for hedges due to its dense development , but its encroaching nature can pass to problems . Once establish , privet can spread beyond intended area , forming dense thickets . This shrub can crowd together out native plants , top to rock-bottom biodiversity in strike areas . Landscapers often forefend privet to maintain ecological balance and reduce management efforts . Opt for native hedgerow plants that offer interchangeable privacy benefit without the invasive tendencies .

Japanese Knotweed

Nipponese Knotweed is a formidable front in landscapes , screw for its rapid growth and resiliency . Often establish along roadsides , it has the voltage to damage base with its strong roots . This plant can be challenging to keep in line , make it a nightmare for landscapers who seek sustainable solutions . Its aggressive feast can lead to pricy management efforts . Choose native plant that provide interchangeable greenery without the structural risks .

Garlic Mustard

Garlic Mustard might vocalize appetising , but its impact on timberland is far from savory . This biennial plant can spread out rapidly , constitute dense patch that outcompete aboriginal botany . Its presence can break up the delicate balance of timberland ecosystems , leading landscaper to forefend it in favor of aboriginal groundcovers . Garlic Mustard ’s aggressive nature requires substantial control campaign . Native groundcovers like Wild Ginger offer up exchangeable benefits without the invasive consequences .

Morning Glory

Morning Glory ’s vibrant blooming provide a pollyannaish garden display , yet its rapid ontogenesis can quickly become consuming . This vine can smother other industrial plant and structure , requiring diligent management . Landscapers often avoid Morning Glory due to its fast-growing nature and the campaign needed to keep it in confirmation . Its power to reseed can take to unintended cattle ranch . Choose native climbing plants that put up similar beauty without the maintenance demands .

Lantana

Lantana ’s vivacious colors make it a popular choice for gardens , but its incursive electric potential in warm climates can be debatable . This industrial plant can open speedily , taking over born areas and give the sack native species . In some regions , Lantana is think a noxious smoke , leading landscapers to avoid it . Its presence can lead to ecological imbalances and increased direction efforts . Consider aboriginal blossoming plants that volunteer vibrant display without the incursive peril .

Burning Bush

Burning Bush enamour with its torrid fall hues , but its invasive tendencies take away from its appeal . This bush can spread beyond mean garden areas , mold dim coppice . Its power to outcompete native species makes it a less suitable choice for landscaper who rate ecologic Libra the Scales . Burning Bush requires deliberate management to prevent unintended spread . Choose aboriginal shrubs that provide stunning fall colors without the invasive drawback .

Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny charms with its smart green foliage and ground - covering ability , yet its belligerent spread can be a downside . This plant can brim over garden bed and outcompete other plants . landscaper often deflect Creeping Jenny in favour of ground cover that offer up exchangeable welfare without the aggressive nature . Managing its increment requires deliberate supervision to prevent garden supremacy . take native groundcovers that provide coverage and color without the invasive risks .

Mimosa Tree

Mimosa Tree , with its ticklish pinkish heyday , adds a touch of elegance to gardens , but its invasive nature can quickly dominate its beauty . This Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can spread rapidly , outcompeting native Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrub . Its presence can lead to maintenance challenges , as it often requires significant attempt to control . landscapist prefer alternatives that support local ecosystem . aboriginal flowering tree offer up similar esthetical appeal without the incursive tendency of the Mimosa .

Why Professional Landscapers Never Plant These 20 Popular Garden Center Plants

English Ivy

© The Land Conservancy of BC

English Ivy

Bamboo

© HouseLogic

Bamboo

Mint

© Backyard Boss

Mint

Norway Maple

© The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority

Norway Maple

Japanese Barberry

© Natick, MA

Japanese Barberry

Russian Olive

© iNaturalist

Wisteria

© Gardenista

Bradford Pear

© Nashville Tree Conservation Corps

Purple Loosestrife

© UNH Extension – University of New Hampshire

Common Reed (Phragmites)

© Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA)

Tree of Heaven

© The Allegheny Front

Yellow Flag Iris

© Wisconsin Wetlands Association

Privet

© Southern Living

Japanese Knotweed

© slate.com

Garlic Mustard

© King County

Morning Glory

© The Lands Council

Lantana

© Down To Earth

Burning Bush

© Epic Gardening

Creeping Jenny

© SFGATE

Mimosa Tree

© Torres Tree Service