Tag Archives: invasive

Loropetalum is a semi-evergreen that can bloom anytime

Posted on January 21, 2020 by tedmanzer

Most shrubs have a certain season where they are most attractive. Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense) is one that can be pretty during any season. We have one at school near our greenhouses that has a few blooms and many buds right … Continue reading →

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Wild fennel is an invasive weed, but I still like it.

Posted on April 16, 2019 by tedmanzer

Actually, it’s not truly wild. It’s escaped and naturalized, and it has been for a long time. Wild fennel is like fennel found in nurseries and stores, and you can find it anywhere. I ran into a bunch of it … Continue reading →

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Mexican petunia is almost as beautiful as it is invasive

Posted on March 19, 2019 by tedmanzer

I have a thick stand of Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana or Ruellia simplex) next to a couple of the greenhouses at school. The plants have been established for close to 20 years. This past week we replaced the plastic covering … Continue reading →

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Bull thistle sure is tough like a bull

Posted on April 23, 2017 by tedmanzer

You’ve probably seen that tall spiny plant with purple flowers along the roadside. Sometimes the flowers are yellow. It’s called bull thistle and related to the artichoke. Playing ball in a pasture field teaches kids to learn to identify this … Continue reading →

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Vinca vines are tough and beautiful but can be invasive

Posted on December 11, 2016 by tedmanzer

Few ground covers can fill any area as effectively as periwinkle vine.  There are actually two species commonly used and both have prolific bluish purple flowers. Both also have the ability to spread where they aren’t wanted. Lesser periwinkle (Vinca … Continue reading →

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When it comes to plants one’s trash is another’s treasure

Posted on June 7, 2015 by tedmanzer

A weed to one person can be a beautiful flower or table delicacy to someone else. I can think of numerous plants that fit that bill. It seems every season of the year is full of examples. Sometimes we even … Continue reading →

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Duckweed has many uses but brings many problems

Posted on January 26, 2015 by tedmanzer

That green stuff all over our still waters is probably not algae like most people think. It’s a floating flowering plant without stems called duckweed (Lemna sp.). Its growth rate can be phenomenal. Under good conditions duckweed can double its … Continue reading →

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Asian invader

Posted on March 5, 2013 by tedmanzer

Now that most of our trees have lost their leaves we notice other plants in the native landscape. Especially in low areas the Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) dominates. Initially planted as an ornamental, this invasive olive relative has taken over … Continue reading →

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Chocolate Vine

Posted on October 19, 2012 by tedmanzer

Woody climbing vines get a bad name for their invasiveness and ability to cover desirable landscaping. They do have their niche though. Chocolate vine is an aggressive climber and can provide a dense screen in just a few years. It … Continue reading →

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Wild daylilies

Posted on June 10, 2012 by tedmanzer

Take a drive down any road right now and you’ll see them. Daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva) are everywhere. Those wild orange ones spread into the ditches and are quite adept at holding the soil and curbing erosion. It’s a shame they … Continue reading →

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