Marilyn Sallee, coordinator of Cross Timbers Invaders, begins her spiel on invasive plants in the Chapel on the Bosque, at the Stephenville Museum’s Native and Heirloom Plant Fair on Saturday. As an Invader, Marilyn documents invasive plants by recording the species and GPS coordinates every time she sees one. She then enters the data online [...]

reBlogged to invasives on Apr 13, 2008, 10:06AM

Posted by Bill Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2008-04-16, 06:07:06

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As much as I get on my soapbox about killing invasive plants and going native, there's been actually very little progress in practicing what I preach. I planted a native fern and shrub last fall, and I'm pleased the fern is coming back and the shrub is still alive. . . .

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Posted by Nelumbo Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives, natives on 2008-04-08, 17:55:37

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Posted by Elizabeth Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2008-03-26, 18:12:07

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Posted by Michele Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2008-03-25, 17:40:44

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Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2008-02-20, 05:43:48

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Some of the trees you see in your local forests, local parks -- or perhaps even in your own yard -- may look like they're just innocently standing around, improving...

reBlogged to invasives trees on Jan 24, 2008, 12:47AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives, trees on 2008-01-25, 06:15:20

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Posted by Jane Berger Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-11-03, 06:15:38

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As I work on reclaiming my garden, I noticed a new vine growing everywhere in the backyard.

I never saw this particular vine before. Today as I was cutting away I noticed an orange fruit hanging from the vine. . . .

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Posted by rusty in miami Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-10-05, 00:39:17

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For many of us, an article on invasive plants in China offers an interesting twist on a story with which we are only too familiar. How many times have those...

reBlogged to invasives on Aug 22, 2007, 4:17AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-08-23, 06:24:52

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Good looking but hardly innocent I call creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) the evil twin because it looks just like ladybells, (Adenophora confusa), only it is aggressively spreading and...

reBlogged to invasives on Jul 26, 2007, 9:58PM

Posted by Kathy Purdy Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-07-28, 01:38:05

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Posted by Graham Rice Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives, pests on 2007-06-14, 18:38:45

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Just when I thought I'd said enough about global warming in the garden, I heard the topic explored on the Earthbeat Radio Show the other day (recorded here in DC and broadcast nationally on Pacifica Radio) and it prompted a rant.  No surprise here, I know.

National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizajewski listed some sensible proposals, like reduction in the use of gas tools, and made these points about native versus nonnative plants:  "What's scary about global warming is we just don't know what's going to happen.  We don't know what common garden plant that's well behaved now in the Mid-Atlantic is suddenly, with a couple of degrees difference, going to become a noxious weed and spread into the wild areas.". . .

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Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to environment, invasives on 2007-06-06, 06:14:03

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That plant is aggressive. It gets really big. It elbows out neighboring plants. It spreads all over and covers a lot of ground in a hurry.

This quote from Craig's comment on Amy's plant lust post resonated with me—I had just briefly posted about invasives on GWI. Though I spend hours every summer pulling my neighbor's silver lace vine out of my trellis, cutting back wisteria, keeping English ivy at bay, and yanking viola out of the ground, I still find much that is admirable about these aggressive cultivars. . . .

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Posted by Elizabeth Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-05-18, 06:26:46

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State, Federal and local lawmakers have been scrambling to solve the problem of invasive plant species. Unfortunately for the American gardening public, one of the best solutions to the problem is being completely ignored; creating, promoting and growing cultivated varieties (or cultivars) of these species that do not possess invasive characteristics. . . .

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Posted by Tim Wood Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-05-18, 06:25:25

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Posted by Earth Girl Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-05-14, 00:41:31

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Posted by Earth Girl Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-05-12, 06:40:43

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Any gardener putting one of these plants in the ground is unleashing a world of hurt on themselves and anybody else who ever gets to garden in that ground. Stand warned, here’s the short list. . .

reBlogged to invasives on May 8, 2007, 5:39PM

Posted by Doug Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-05-11, 06:17:17

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The Japanese, or so I have read, believe that you can make a fine garden out of a wild piece of land with nothing but a cutting tool, such as a pair of pruning shears. Naturally, you can use them to kill or control the existing plants, but cannot add any new plants.

By this method it takes a couple decades to achieve anything of true merit. At that point, you are going to have one of those minimalist gardens with a handful of species, including a lot of moss, some rock, and if you’re lucky perhaps one flowering plant providing a week or two of non-green color. These are serene places for tea ceremonies and meditation. But I don’t have that level of maturity or patience, nor do I expect it from my pre-school children. So I am not trying to emulate a “knife-only” garden. . .

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Posted by DWPittelli Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-05-08, 17:06:55

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Get rid of your campanula punctata! This is a public service announcement!

When I moved into my place, the previous owner had not only grown this plant but had encouraged it. I allowed a few of them to live last year even though I knew better. . .

reBlogged to invasives on May 6, 2007, 7:53PM

Posted by Doug Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-05-07, 16:58:52

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Posted by Graham Rice Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-05-05, 17:00:26

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Posted by Graham Rice Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-04-09, 23:43:56

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Posted by Xris Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-03-02, 17:02:25

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Invasive weeds are non-native plants that somehow get into our environment and grow like crazy until they take over and, often, choke out our own native vegetation. This is bad, not only because plants that rightfully belong here have to fight a losing battle for survival, but also because of the trickle-down effect invasives have on insects and wildlife, which end up losing their valuable food sources. . . .

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Posted by Jessica Damiano Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-01-29, 23:51:18

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Do you think it is saying something about me, when my favorite mob to kill in a video game is named after kudzu?

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Posted by millionbells Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives, whimsy on 2007-01-25, 23:40:26

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To be filed in the: As if I don't have enough to be guilty of already category, I borrowed a book from the library entitled "Plant" by Janet Marinelli, she of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Director of publishing which lists several endangered and invasive plants. . . .

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Posted by Ki Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2007-01-11, 16:27:20

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The Cactus Moth is an environmental disaster in real time.

A tale of nature's revenge, stretching back more than two centuries and halfway around the world, has come full-circle in a battle of cactus, moth and man. . .

reBlogged to pests invasives on Jan 4, 2007, 1:42PM

Posted by blog@cactusjungle.com (cactusblog) Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives, pests on 2007-01-05, 16:50:40

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In an effort to prevent the spread of invasive species a new program known as “Plant Right” has taken root in California. It is made up of various horticultural groups who are devising a list of potential invasive plants that should be avoided. The list is not out yet but it will be interesting to see what ends up on it. . . .

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Posted by trey Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-12-22, 22:44:00

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(From the Nov-Dec '06 UGJ) — Our cover image this issue is beautiful. But the invasive plant it depicts, autumn olive, is a threat to plants—and even animals— in our native environment. This juxtaposition is the theme of Christine Sevilla’s new series of images, “Thanatopsis.”
“The dangerous beauty of invasive plant species has brought them to new, alien locations where a less handsome weed would be quickly eradicated,” Sevilla writes. She hopes her project will encourage citizens to grow native plants and varieties of non-natives that are proven not to be invasive. . .

reBlogged to invasives on Nov 17, 2006, 11:14AM

Posted by Jane M. Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-11-18, 00:14:55

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So how about Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and Hogweed fields, Hogweed fields ??? Yep, it appears to be one of many that got away.

How do I find this stuff anyway??? Don't ask . . . ..

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Posted by Rick Anderson Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-11-02, 17:17:03

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The AJC recently had a story on which plants are invasives and it listed some we all know are bad actors like kudzu, privet and honeysuckle, but there were also some of my favorites on the list, like mimosa. I...

reBlogged to invasives on Nov 1, 2006, 1:24PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-11-02, 00:36:24

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Posted by Jane Berger Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-10-14, 00:28:30

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by Susan
We appreciate all our readers here at the Rant but are pleased as punch when people in authority read us and even leave a comment, as John Peter Thompson did in response to a recent article here.  Then he followed up by emailing me a link to a longer Reply on his blog Invasive Notes.  Lesson learned?  Sometimes when you Question Authority, they actually Answer.

In response to questions raised by John Peter's reply, here's a tidbit about the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) on which Monsanto sits, from the website of the National Invasive Species Council. . .

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Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-10-07, 22:13:20

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Moth Control of Climbing Fern Weed Launched

The predator moth
Scientists with the United States Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and officials from the State of Florida have released moths of the species Austromusotima camptonozale, the first biological control agent approved for release against the invasive climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum. This aggressive scrambling weed has spread across south and central Florida, scaling the stems or trunks of other plants to form thick vegetative blankets. On the ground, it creates tough, spongy mats that smother grasses, low-growing shrubs and small trees. . .

reBlogged to beneficials invasives on Oct 4, 2006, 4:07AM

Posted by Philip Swindells Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials, invasives on 2006-10-05, 16:14:39

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Understanding Red Vine Tendrils

Brunnichia ovata
Researchers in the United States have discovered the mechanisms a problematic weed uses to over-run and secure itself to crops and fences or other structures. Red Vine, Brunnichia ovata, is a perennial woody vine that regenerates new growth from woody rootstocks and climbs by its tendrils. . . .

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Posted by Philip Swindells Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives, vines on 2006-10-03, 16:40:35

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Spicebush: 2006 Wildflower of the Year
Virginia Native Plant Society

Like rivets holding a plane together, plants, bugs, and animals keep an ecosystem intact. Knock out a few? OK. But knock out too many, and the whole body of biodiversity bursts apart. That was the message from the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society (VNPS) this afternoon, during a Master Gardener lecture. . .

reBlogged to natives invasives on Sep 28, 2006, 5:42PM

Posted by Kathryn Brown Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives, natives on 2006-09-29, 15:45:57

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Toby has been at it again. We have more honeysuckle carnage in the backyard. It looks as if four or five of the shrubby trees have been lopped and sawed down. The remaining stumps were leveled with an axe and one was even ripped from the ground, roots and all. . .

reBlogged to invasives on Sep 13, 2006, 7:56AM

Posted by Kasmira Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-09-13, 23:59:19

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Do you have any alien invasive plants in your yard? If your response is, "So what if I do have some alien invasive plants? Big deal!" perhaps you'll be surprised...

reBlogged to invasives on Sep 11, 2006, 12:05AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-09-12, 00:06:51

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Swamps and bogs in North America are suffering from the "purple plague"- the invasion of the purple loosestrife . This invasive weed takes the place of native plants and even disrupts nesting sites for birds. And like many invasive plants, it's quite beautiful. Yes, gardeners were partially to blame for the spread of this pest. . . .

reBlogged to invasives on Sep 10, 2006, 1:11PM

Posted by Nelumbo Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-09-12, 00:06:14

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Controlling "Dog Strangling" Vines

Vincetoxicum rossicum
Two invasive and destructive plants, first introduced to North America as garden plants, and known as "Dog Strangling" vines, are spreading uncontrolled through large areas of New York, New England and Ontario, prompting Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cornell University scientists to launch a study to find biological ways to stop them. The targets of the three-year study—which is being led by entomologist Lindsey Milbraith of the ARS Plant Protection Research Unit (PPRU) in Ithaca, New York, are two members of the milkweed family known as Pale Swallow-wort and Black Swallow-wort.

Both plant species originated in Europe. Pale Swallow-wort, Vincetoxicum rossicum comes from the Ukraine, and Black Swallow-wort, V. nigrum is from south-western Europe. On their home grounds, both are kept in check by native natural enemies, particularly insects and diseases. But so far, nothing in North America has halted their advance. According to Milbrath, the vines contain strong and unique poisons that probably limit natural enemies and keep deer and cattle from feeding on them. . .

reBlogged to invasives on Sep 6, 2006, 12:25PM

Posted by Philip Swindells Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-09-07, 10:32:55

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Our flower garden has the sulks; you see, there's another garden in my life now... about a year ago we joined the Johnson County Heritage Trust, an organization devoted to obtaining, restoring, and then maintaining prairie and woodland habitat in our area. They recently acquired forty acres of woodland, with a meadow in the center, and I've been appointed the property manager. Like most of our habitat locally, it is badly degraded by exotic invasives; in the woodland portion mainly garlic mustard, autumn olive, multiflora rose, Oriental bittersweet, and bush honeysuckle, and in the meadow by alien grasses and Queen Anne's lace. . . .

reBlogged to invasives on Sep 2, 2006, 11:00PM

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-09-04, 16:17:43

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Mimosas (also called, "silk trees") can be real pests in the landscape. A frustrated reader recently asked About's Forestry Guide, Steve Nix a question on getting rid of mimosas. Steve,...

reBlogged to invasives on Aug 17, 2006, 2:36AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-08-17, 23:15:39

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Over at the Willow Garden, they're fighting Clematis orientalis and have provided a step-by-step picture guide of how they're doing it. I was particularly intrigued by how they covered the plastic with soil, to make their weed-fighting efforts more esthetic.

Technorati tag: Invasive plants

reBlogged to invasives on Aug 8, 2006, 12:21PM

Posted by Janet Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-08-09, 16:50:09

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A column from Nancy Szerlag
A couple of weeks ago, I asked readers to tell me about their sleeper plants.

Dena Shealy of Roseville e-mailed me a photo of her mystery plant for identification. She fell in love with the fragrance and wants to grow some for cutting. She asked her co-workers and searched garden centers to no avail.

The flower in question is a common milkweed, which I explained was considered a weed that can become invasive if left to its own devices. But take a close look at the blossoms and you will discover a beautiful flower with a lovely aroma. Because of its status, it's not available in garden centers. . . .

reBlogged to invasives on Jul 28, 2006, 11:15AM

Posted by jeffball@usol.com (Jeff Ball) Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-07-28, 23:31:05

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Recently I was asked about how to combat morning glory, Ipomoea learii a common weed in many parts of the island. My advice was as follows; firstly clear as much of the vine as possible physically. Once this is done allow it to start regrowing and when it is in the flush of regrowth spray it with a systemic herbicicde, that is one that circulates to all parts of the plant. Hopefully in this way you will have success in killing this rampant vine. Letting the vine begin to regrow means the poison will be more successfully translocated to all parts of the plant. . .

reBlogged to invasives on Jul 22, 2006, 12:16AM

Posted by Ewen Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives on 2006-07-23, 10:59:13

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