What about Invasives?
seraphima
19 years ago
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seraphima
19 years agojoel_bc
19 years agoRelated Discussions
Helpful Thoughts about Invasives, Natives, etc.!
Comments (13)Unfortunately I am in the process of removing my japanese barberry and replacing it with New Jersey tea shrubs because of my concerns about the invasiveness of the barberry. I wish it wasn't the case because I do like the little things (and digging out a thorny shrub isn't easy) but I feel it is the right thing to do when there is a chance that letting the barberry stay is harming the environment. Just because you don't see the plant spreading in the nearby landscape doesn't mean that birds aren't possibly eating the seeds and spreading it to nearby forests or other natural areas. There are a lot of very pretty plants that are at least not potentially invasive, if not native, that could replace it. The article I am linking to this post has this comment on the issue: >> Mark Brand, professor of ornamental horticulture, Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Department, University of Connecticut, does genetic studies on feral barberry plants to determine their source. He especially looks for purple parentage. DNA fingerprinting of old, invasive populations of barberry originally showed meager evidence of purple barberry contributing genes to wild plants. "We did find a little bit but it didnÂt seem as though these populations were largely produced by the purple leaf types," he says. In another sample, however, parentage analysis of the genetics showed that plants had indeed spread from an old purple plant in an old landscape. "That study did show that a large, old, established, standard-sized purple plant could contribute seedlings to surrounding unmanaged areas." Ehrenfeld likens low levels of long-distance seed dispersal to a still-humongous 1% microbial resistance to anti-biotics. "In Highland Park, every third house has a barberry hedge. If we were adjacent to a natural area and even if only one percent of those seeds were moving into a natural area and only one percent of that had managed to germinate, thatÂs still substantial, especially because there is so much effective dispersal thatÂs local with bushes spreading out vegetatively and seed dispersal thatÂs local. Here is a link that might be useful: Article about barberry's invasiveness...See MoreTalk about INVASIVE!!!
Comments (14)You people are soooooo entertaining. I laugh my head off sometimes, but I sure commiserate with the problems you encounter. Thanks for the helpful information you've posted here. I might be able to plant an azalea next spring in my evil Houttuynia spot, but nothing else. I still invision myself spraying for "it" next year. I suppose if I'm careful with the spray, the azalea will grow alright. What do you think? And undiluted Roundup? Never thought of that. Wonder if that would put an end to "it" more completely . . ....See MoreConcerns about a new invasive species....
Comments (10)OMG, I have a big time problem with this invasive species. At first I thought they were cute. I even found a family that set up home under the roots of a fallen tree. They seemed so nice so I let them stay, look at the gardening tools and how gentle the mom holds the baby. I actually thought they would help me in the gardens. But next thing I knew, they were holding races, using my garden critters as horses, and worse of all, placing bets. It wasn't until the damage was done that I found out they were betting my hostas, which explains where the ones that disapeared went. It's too late for me, but whatever you do, don't let gnomes become established in your gardens, you'll regret it....See MoreAnyone get nightmeres about invasive plants, lol.
Comments (4)My lot is infested with invasives and I am working diligently to get rid of them. The worst are the Oriental bittersweet, Glossy buckthorn, and Norway maples. But I also have shrub Honeysuckle, multiflora rose, Burning bush, barberry, and Autumn olive, and other lesser invasives. But no nightmares, thank goodness. They are enough of a pain when I'm awake!!...See Moreseraphima
19 years agojoel_bc
19 years agojoel_bc
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19 years agojoel_bc
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8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
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