Home and garden owners know that a good back yard or lawn needs to be free from weeds or killer plants that even if look good and can be used in the kitchen, also have the ability to smother and deter other garden plants. Affordable pest control and weed treatment and extermination plans are easy to find and implement, provided people make the difference between good plants and bad ones or ones with a higher risk of becoming impossible to manage. Five such plants represent a threat to the garden, in spite their good looks, medicinal or cooking uses.
1. Goutweed
The white spotted leaves of this plant are very decorative in those garden corners where there’s no turf, grass or flowers, but goutweed grows relentlessly and it’s almost impossible to get rid of it. The full green leaved species is even more aggressive, as it tends to spread and suffocate other plants and flowers. Although it can be used in the kitchen for salads and dressings, goutweed is considered a killer plant for the surrounding crops.
2. Purple Loosestrife
This plant is cultivated not only for its beautiful purple flowers, but also for its medicinal uses, being very helpful in treating several conditions such as dysentery, diarrhea, nose bleeds, stomach pains and even vaginal problems, as traditional medicine recognizes its astringent and tonic effects. However, you don’t want to have this plant grow all over the place, as it spreads massively and is considered an invasive plant that represent a threat to the others in the garden.
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3. Norway maple
This is a very beautiful decorative tree, usually planted in shadowy areas and originates in Great Britain. It is a very fast growing tree, reaching impressive heights but because it loves moist soil and its crown and roots are very large and growing strong, it can create a dead area around it, where no other plants can develop healthy.
4. Black swallow-wort
One of the most invasive killer plants that can damage your garden, the Black swallow-wort needs sustainment in order to grow and spread. If you let it develop near a tree, it will soon gain control over it and slowly kill it by suffocating it and consuming all its nutrients. It spreads through solid roots, so it is quite difficult to get rid of it.
5. Periwinkle
Homeopath traditional medicine recognizes periwinkle as a good remedy in cases of eczema, skin affections, plica polonica but also for more extreme illnesses, such as hemorrhages and diphtheria. On the other hand, gardening experts highly recommend this plant to be cultivated as a form of miracle herb that grows where no other plants can develop, although not even experienced growers dare to manage this type of crop, as it grows almost like vine does, making it hard to be kept under control. Eradication is also a very hard task and it needs extensive efforts to be completely removed from the garden.
The United Stated Department of Agriculture makes available a longer and wider list of invasive plants along with extended descriptions. Recognizing the invading and dangerous killer plants in your garden is the first step in taking control and extermination decisions and actions in order to keep the garden safe and healthy.
