How to Get Rid of Invasive Plants

By Patch Editor Rebecca McCarthy

Rain brings more than mosquitoes.

You know those vines growing on your trees and across your lawn? You need to get rid of them. That funny plant with green shoots? Dig it up.

The rain has done more than turn our grassy lawns green. It has pushed every weed and invasive plant into overdrive.

So it’s up to you to protect your trees and plants.

1. Pull down the wisteria. Poison it, nuke it, just get it out of the branches. If you want wisteria, put it in a big planter where it can’t get out and strangle anything.

2.  I like the English as much as anyone else, but not when it comes to ivy. As the tireless Weed Warriors of Memorial Park will tell you, English Ivy is the skinhead of the garden. It bullies, intimidates and tortures. To add insult to injury, English Ivy also shelters the Asian Tiger Mosquito. Pull it out by the roots, and then do a victory dance when it’s all gone.

3. Chinese privet. I know it’s the plant of The Hedges of Between The fame, but please, chop it out before it engulfs your house.

4. Speaking of engulfing, how ‘bout we have a throwdown with Japanese honeysuckle? Not only does this ratheaded plant inhibit the growth of native plants, it also provides an excellent breeding ground for agricultural pests.

5. A few years ago, everyone seemed to understand the problems presented by kudzu. And people were taking steps to eradicate it. I like those words linked together:kudzu eradication. Sounds nice. Because kudzu is really nasty. Not only does it kill plants, it also has been linked to ozone production.

Going to have a busy August? I am.