Current Invasive plant list?

15 years ago

I'm trying to find info on the Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) to see if it is on the Invasive list in Florida.

I was mistakenly sent 6 of these trees (I did not order them and am unfamiliar with them), but they sure are cute!

I've been reading conflicting opinions of them, and could not find them on the 2007 Invasives list. Is there a newer list available?

I will not plant them if they truly are invasives.

But they sure would look purty, blooming purple above the Palmettos, near the arbor which is covered with Queen's Wreath(G).

Please advise. Plant 'em, or off to the trashcan?

Thanks!

Lisa

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

fawnridge (Ricky)
15 years ago
Here's the 2007 list which is the most current and Paulowina is not on it.
gcmastiffs
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you Ricky. Do you have any experience with this tree?

I don't think I've ever seen one before. EDIS says invasive non-native, but then recommends using it in Parks(?).

Lisa
Related Discussions
have: current trade list: hostas, lov, forsythia, mint, etc.
Q
Comments (0)
I have varigated pineapple mint, rooted forsythia cuttings, korean bellflower (campanula takesimana), hosta golden tiara, lily of the valley and a fairly large unnamed hosta that has tall scapes of lavender flowers in July. Please let me know if you would like to trade. I am looking for people who are thinning out their spring bulb plantings, or make me an offer.
...See More
Invasive Plants List for Southeast
Q
Comments (1)
Isn't it kind of funny that tall fescue is on this list when people spend so much time and money trying to get it to grow in their yards? Dana
...See More
List of Current Plant
Q
Comments (3)
My PPM has been running between 13,000 and 15,000. PH staying right at 5.8. Some of my plants took a beating in the last few days of wind. I still think the cucumbers are still growing very slowly. Tomato plants are doing great. Corn seem to be slowing down even though there are there are about 3 ears on each stalk. Small i think too. Green Onions, Basil, Camomile, Strawberries seem to be getting sweeter, Spinach is starting to bud, but is still delicious. Caught a Caterpillar eating the Dill and brought him inside. However he only seems to eat Dill. Tried Broccoli leaves and he turned his nose up at it. However i went out this evening to pick a crown and something had eaten the top off. The White and Red Onions roots are growing and i have taken out all the clay pebbles so that it has room to grow. I should have done his earlier for the garlic as some of them stayed a little wet under the clay pebbles. All the peppers have bloomed and are producing as well. Not sure if i missed anything but will post a few pics. Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Video
...See More
plant police/invasive plant list from customer
Q
Comments (79)
Jack, I can understand why an anonymous note would make you uncomfortable, and I can also understand why you don't want to name the plant because it's irrelevant to the discussion. However, if it is on your state's noxious list, should you as a responsible citizen continue to offer it for sale? If it is not on the list then there's no issue. Here's what I would do. Print out the "Severe Threat" list for your state from the Invasives.org website Vaccinium provided, post it in a prominent location and post below it your "Company Policy" that your customers will never find one of these plants for sale at your nursery. How many of your customers have actually ever seen that list? And, how many confuse "invasive" with "aggressive spreaders or seeders"? You'll be educating them. If a customer questions the invasiveness of a plant you sell, you can show them the list and explain the difference. I have never seen and never expect to see Japanese Honeysuckle, Kudzu, Tree of Heaven, Mimosa, Common Privet, or Chinese Privet for sale at any nursery in the South. However, I have purchased Variegated Porcelain Berry and have it growing on an arbor. That plant is not on my state's invasive list, but is on "Watch List B, plants that are severe problems in surrounding states, but have not been reported in Tennessee". I'll watch it. Interestingly enough on "Watch List A: Exotic plants that naturalize and may become a problem in the future", among others are listed Buddleia, Cosmos, Rose of Sharon, Spearmint, Peppermint, and Grape Hyacinth. All of these are commonly found in every nursery and most gardens. Where do you draw the line? Do you refuse to sell any plant that is listed on not only the Severe Threat List, but also the lower threat lists the watch lists? That's your decision and your conscience.
...See More
cjc45
15 years ago
Don't think it's officially invasive in Florida but it reseeds readily and grows fast.

http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/PAUTOMA.pdf
manature
15 years ago
Lisa, I know they are pretty, but I seem to remember reading that they can be a problem in Florida, too. And they are definitely invasive farther north. Perhaps in your Zone you would be safe, but I'd be very careful. You are smart to research before you plant. It could save a lot of heartbreak later.

Marcia
alohafromfl
15 years ago
I have one, in a pot until I decide what to do with it for basically the same reason. Mine is Paulownia kawakamii though. I understand the problem with tomentosa is the fact that they have so many flowers that they can spawn volunteers like you wouldn't believe and that once its established its extremely hard to kill since it will grow back from the ground, and can easily grow 10 feet that first year.

I also hear they have shallow roots, so the ground under the canopy is useless and knoby and full of babies. I can't confirm this though since as you say, I get conflicting reports as well. kawakamii allegedly has deep roots though, so I'm not sure. Maybe its all cultivar-specific.

Wikipedia says tomentosa is invasive in the southeast US, but doesn't narrow the area down.
fawnridge (Ricky)
15 years ago
I have no experience with anything in the genus and it's interesting to note that there are no nurseries in the PlantFinder who are growing it either.
manature
15 years ago
I can tell you it has taken over the woods in North Carolina and Georgia. It's awful. It's pretty, but awful. Kind of like Gulf Coast Penstemon!! Run away, run awaaaaaaaaaay!!

In all seriousness, I saw a range map while googling that showed it was popping up in north Florida down as far as at least Gainesville, so I know I wouldn't plant it here. But as I say, maybe in south Florida, it might be held in check by the heat or something. But it is a scary tree.

As you are driving through parts of north Georgia, the woods are filled with purple from the invading wisteria vines (that drip off the trees) and the paulownia. With splashes of coral red from the powder puff trees. They all three seem to hold their own with the kudzu vines, so that tells me I don't think I'll mess with 'em.

Marcia

Related Stories

TREES Native Plant Alternatives to Invasive Common Buckthorn

By Pollination Press LLC

Learn how to identify and control this aggressive plant, and what to grow in its place

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Do You Have This Invasive Plant in Your Yard?

By Pollination Press LLC

Garlic mustard is spreading across the U.S. Here’s how to spot it and what to do

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Plants That Beat Butterfly Bush for the Wildlife Draw

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. Check out these better alternatives to butterfly bush in the garden

Full Story

227

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Deer-Resistant Ground Covers to Plant This Fall

By Brian Barth

Learn about some of the only low, spreading plants that are reliably deer-resistant

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 6 New Plant Varieties That Beat Out Their Parents

By Le jardinet

With better resistance and fewer demands, these garden beauties are worth a spot on your wish list

Full Story

RED FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Chinese Pistache

By Bill Marken

Versatile and easygoing, this tree puts on a guaranteed fall spectacle in the landscape

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Phegopteris Decursive-Pinnata

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Consider Japanese beech fern for a spreading but noninvasive ground cover for shade

Full Story

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Help Monarchs and Other Butterflies by Planting Common Milkweed

By Pollination Press LLC

Summer-blooming Asclepias syriaca is an important larval host plant for the monarch butterfly and attracts a number of pollinating insects

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Clematis Virginiana

By Pollination Press LLC

Devil’s darning needles, a vigorous vine native to eastern North America, likes partial shade and many types of soils

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Rhus Glabra

By Curtis Adams

Smooth sumac provides powerful jolts of fall color and persistent fruit clusters that add interest through the winter

Full Story

Current Invasive plant list?

Comments (7)

fawnridge (Ricky)

gcmastiffs
Original Author

Related Discussions

cjc45

manature

alohafromfl

fawnridge (Ricky)

manature

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Current Invasive plant list?

Comments (7)

fawnridge (Ricky)

gcmastiffsOriginal Author

Related Discussions

cjc45

manature

alohafromfl

fawnridge (Ricky)

manature

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

gcmastiffs
Original Author