These aggressive groundcover plants spread out of control quickly and are extremely difficult to eradicate.
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Rapid growth, usually a desirablecharacteristic of groundcover plants, can backfire.
Some popular groundcovers are so aggressive that they choke out any other plants in their path.
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Here is a list of 12 of the worst offenders that you should never plant in your yard.
It is a low-growing woody shrub that tolerates harsh growing conditions often found on dunes.
Beach vitex has small, round leaves and a smooth, leathery texture.
Credit:Andre' Baranowski
It produces clusters of purple flowers in May.
Chameleon Plant
Dean Schoeppner
Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata) is a perennial groundcover from Southeast Asia.
It has variegated, heart-shaped leaves on quickly spreading stems that stand 1 to 2 feet tall.
Credit:Dean Schoeppner
It thrives in shade and moist soil but grows just about anywhere.
Once established, it’s nearly impossible to remove.
If the smallest root is left in the soil, it will quickly regrow.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Its slender stems branch out from the mother plant and form roots wherever the leaf nodes touch the soil.
It grows out of bounds very quickly.
It scrambles up trees, engulfs branches, shading and slowly killing the plant.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Its waxy leaves repel herbicides, and any piece of root will quickly resprout.
If you like the look ofEnglish ivy, only grow it as a houseplant.
This plant is hardy in temperate and tropical regions (Zones 811).
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has become exceptionally problematic in California where it is displacing native species.
Birds carry ice plant seeds into natural areas; seeds quickly sprout and form dense mats of foliage.
While it feels like well-behaved in home landscapes, avoid any risks and don’t plant it.
Credit:Blaine Moats
It also climbs trees with abandon.
It is nearly impossible to eradicate.
Yellow Archangel
A member of the mint family, yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) spreads quickly.
Credit:Marty Baldwin
It grows about 2 feet tall with yellow flower spikes in early summer.
It is particularly destructive in the Pacific Northwest.
Clump forming nativesedge grasses(Carex spp.)
Credit: Jay Wilde
are easy-care, drought-tolerant replacements for invasive Japanese pachysandra.
These includewintergreen,golden star (Chrysogonum virginianum), andbarren strawberry.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit:Marty Baldwin
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
