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Everything is not Invasive, but Sometimes it is

At Rooted In, our expert horticulturists are more than just plant specialists—they’re truly educators at heart. Deep down, at the “root” of it all, we truly just want to help folks succeed in the garden– and to learn the skills that will help them grow! But we also understand that sometimes gardening can feel overwhelming, especially with all the technical terms that get thrown around (not to mention that bizarre Texas weather). Understanding common horticulture terms can help lay the groundwork to feel more confident in the garden. Let’s dig into some of the most confusing terms below and try to make sense of them!

Invasive vs. Aggressive vs. Vigorous vs. Well-Behaved

Two of the most common phrases we hear regarding both native plants as well as their non-native invasive counterparts are: “But its NOT invasive in my yard” or “My Turk’s Cap (or any other vigorous native) is invasive!” While certainly their intent is not malicious, these comments don’t always take into account the whole picture. When we look at the garden with a holistic approach, and as we learn more about our local ecosystems– we typically gain a better understanding about how what we do in the garden affects the natural areas around us.  

Here’s where things can get tricky for gardeners: Not every fast-growing plant is a bad guy, but some definitely are harder to control! These definitions might offer better insight or serve as more clear descriptors of the plants in our both in our cultivated and wild Texas Landscapes! 

 

  • Invasive plants by definition are non-native species that spread very aggressively and disrupt local ecosystems. Plants listed as invasive in Texas typically outcompete indigenous native plants and can cause serious environmental damage. Examples include Asian Privets, Chinese Pistache, and more recently Vitex. A Texas native plant cannot be accurately described as invasive.

 

  • Aggressive plants may not be officially classified as invasive, but they can spread rapidly, often taking over a garden (or beyond) if left unchecked. Mint is a classic example—it’s great for tea but can easily overrun a bed if not contained. Native plants like trumpet vine, lyre-leaf sage, passionvine and Virginia creeper can also be considered aggressive or even very aggressive. We often use these plants in areas where other plants seem to struggle and you need stabilize erosion. They should however be regularly managed to avoid invasion into undesirable areas.

 

  • Vigorous plants grow quickly and fill up as much space as you give them– but don’t necessarily spread beyond the garden. They typically offer lush rapid growth without being very disruptive, like native Turks Cap, Gregg’s mistflower or Texas rock rose. To reduce the spread into adjacent areas try planting these plants beside each other and letting them elbow each other in swaths. A heavy layer of mulch and dividing (or weed-eating) a couple times a year will help them play nice.

 

  • Well-behaved plants are exactly what they sound like—they stay where you plant them and grow at a manageable pace. Many (or most) native and many adapted perennial flowers, shrubs and trees fall into this category, providing beauty without a semi-constant battle for control!

 

*The state of Texas defines a noxious weed is a plant species that is harmful to agriculture, ecosystems, or human health. In the context of Texas agriculture, noxious weeds are particularly problematic because they can outcompete crops, reduce forage quality for livestock, and disrupt native plant communities. Remarkably, Texas native plants can and are sometimes classified as noxious if they exhibit aggressive or harmful behavior, even though they are indigenous to a region. A plant is classified as “noxious” based on its impact on agriculture, human health, or ecosystems, not just its origin.

 

You might have also heard and/or use other descriptors as well and certainly there is room for more. And the more when learn about how our plants grow in our own gardens, especially in a changing climate, we might also become better stewards of the land we call home!

 

 

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