Blue Cohosh is a native plant so yeah I would sow that... I'm sure curly dock is a bit weedy... I've never heard of the rest. Carrion flower...? Is that some sort of stink plant? lol Plant that one far from your house just in case!

I, too, received these two, Spotted Knapweed.
curly dock, in a trade. They were "bonus" seeds. I don't even know what they are. Do you even know what they are? Are they edible, ornamental???? I guess I could just do a search on google.

Carrie (who's still doing the Happy Dance)

Here is what I found on google:

Here is a link that might be useful: Information on Knapweeds

These are beautiful, but still invasive I guess. I think that would depend on what zone you are in.

Here is a link that might be useful: Carrion Flower

I would definitely not plant Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum). This plant is classified as a prohibited or noxious plant in at least 8 states. Once established, it has deep, fibrous roots that are nearly impossible to eradicate short of dynamite. My sister had a patch growing at a previous house. She finally got rid of it by clipping the new green shoots over and over for several years, until the roots finally became exhausted.

Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is a native Viburnum that is not invasive. It is a gorgeous large shrub/small tree, that has lovely umbels of white flowers (attractive to butterflies), and pretty, blue berries that the birds love (and are edible for humans too).

I think it's great that you're checking before you sow.

Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed - This is the best I could come up with, within a short amount of time. I think I would keep this one contained.

Here is a link that might be useful: This link might be helpful

Last post, promise :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Curly Dock Info

If you think any plant is invasive then don't sow its seeds. You have to do what you're comfortable with and any plant, for whatever reason, makes you unfortable you shouldn't sow and grow. Take the seeds to the throne room and give them a flush. Bye bye worries.

I have very strict policies about accepting invasive plants but sometimes they are still sent--I have to do the right thing and honor ethical non-distribution policies.

Some plants are invasive in one area of the country yet they aren't a problem elsewhere--do check your state regulations. You can trade these seeds to their non-invasive areas but do it in direct trades and don't send them in round robins and don't send them to people who frequently participate in round robins because the seeds can accidently/innocently go into a robin box.

Personally, I would never send an invasive as a trade bonus--it's kinda skanky. I hope people will stop doing this.

Hmmm. What about Verbena-on-a-stick (V. bonariensis)?
Anyone have experience with this? I read that it -can- be invasive. How unhelpful is that??! So, how do we find out where the plants can be invasive???

I've found the following site to be very helpful in determining whether a plant is invasive in my state. It also has links to the state lists.

Here is a link that might be useful: USDA plant list

thanks everyone for the links and info!

they were all bonus seeds, I looked them up and was not all that impressed with them at all. Most said invasive or they looked weed like to me.

Now I wonder how to get rid of these?

If I throw them away will they grow in a land fill somewhere and become a problem?

Maybe I can zap them in the microwave or soak them in some solution to kill the seeds so they are not viable?

Anyone want them? lol

Karen

Check with your local cooperative extension and/or your state noxious weed board for lists of invasive species. I used to work for a weed board in the PNW and Japanese Knotweed was one of the worst to get rid of once it's established, as it multiplies from cuttings, seed and runners. I used to drive along the road and tag them so the DOT could spray them, along with Knapweed, Tansy Ragwort, and others. In some states it is illegal to grow these and for nurseries to sell them. Here in NW Wisconsin I see Knapweed everywhere(that was an adjustment, let me tell you), but never Tansy Ragwort or Japanese Knotweed. I see Giant Hogweed occasionally. Purple Loosestrife is a problem here and in Minnesota and I believe the DNR works to keep it controlled. So, please read up on these nasties before you plant, to avoid a big headache down the road.

noinwi, thanks!
that was great info.

Flush.

Flush

I will flush them tonight....
thanks

Flushing will just send them down the river to grow! Are you guys imagining that the water treatment plant uses chemicals in the water? They don't. (My dad used to do this work). And seeds don't sprout just because they're in water. I wouldn't rely on it as a good way to get rid of seeds you're worried about. Burn them, or I'm sure microwaving works--it works for birdseed. Or secure them in plastic and send them to the landfill. Maybe all the leaking battery acid in there will do some good. :)

There is at least one Carrion Flower that is a native. Unfortunately, others aren't. When people don't research what they have, or don't label well, seed recipients are left guessing.

Thanks to your post, I know what Japanese Knotweed is. I'd been admiring it in bloom in my area, and wanting it! Not anymore.

I agree that the many plants labeled "may be invasive" can be frustrating! Many times they need the right situation to be invasive. Many of those plants (the ones not on my state's invasives list) are vigorous enough to do well in my yard, without taking over. I like sites like Plantfiles because there are often comments on invasiveness made by gardeners. I just keep in mind that there's usually one in the bunch who claims the opposite of everyone else. If it's only one person saying it's not invasive, I don't believe him/her!

Verbena bonariensis (sp) is not invasive. It is however, a re-seeding annual.

thanks everyone!

I was also worried if I flushed or just threw away the invasive ones they might just sprout anywhere. I can just imagine them growing somewhere strange like the sewer!

Karen

thanks, bakemom!

I checked that site and they only had 3 plants listed as invasive for Oklahoma. Hmmm...

I also read recently on another forum about the invasiveness of liriope (which I have planted as a border here). Good question re: invasiveness!

I'm not always that good at keeping plants under control. Here's three I decided not to WS based on feedback from dave's garden plantfiles: Obedient Plant, Red Cypress Vine, Dame's Rocket.

We have liriope all over our neighborhood -- the builder put them in way back. They spread but not that quickly in our area. I'll be digging some up this spring.

adpa, I have grown all of those and they are aggressive, but manageable. In fact, only obedient plant was the real aggressor.

I would throw the Japanese Knotweed seeds in an incinerator. Mind you, that might not even satisfy me that they wouldn't come up.

Ever hear of the guy who wanted to build a garden on his property where the JKs had been for years? He fought them for three years. Burned them to the ground, used Round-Up, tried to dig them up with a shovel but no-go. He finally hired a backhoe which dug down 5 feet and removed them - or so he thought. The next year all the seeds from the plants started germinating. He sold the house.

Our Natural Resources Dept. has discovered that the only way of eradicating this plant is to cut it to 2 feet before the seeds mature and fill the stems which are hollow with a herbicide such as Round-Up. This has to be done in late summer when the plant senses that the days are getting shorter and the evenings are cooler. At that time, the plant places all it's energy into feeding it's roots for the winter and so the RU is directed to the roots where they suffer and MAY die. Doing this two years in a row will give you results. The top portions of the plants are sent to an incinerator which is used to burn medical waste.

It is a pretty plant. It has great foliage which is a lovely purple in the spring as it emerges from the ground. The flowers are nice. A huge spread of these is lovely to behold. But is it worth being the only plant on your property? Do you want to fight with your garden or enjoy it in the years to come?

OK, I've said my piece.

Thanks Tiffy, you sound like I did with the crown vetch I used to have. I planted it year one in this house. the next 2 years I spent getting rid of it. Round up did not even work.

the only thing that worked was plastic then a very thick layer of mulch. I have been free of it for one whole season but I leave the mulch just in case. I am on Summeer #4 and in that bed I am basically starting over.