Steer clear of these troublesome perennials and plant these better-behaved alternatives instead.
In my garden, I have a few of what I call perennial troublemakers.
Save yourself from all these frustrations by avoiding these problematic perennials in your garden.
Credit:Evgeniya Vlasova / BHG
Plus, I’ve got suggestions for much better-behaved look-alikes you could grow instead.
Once it’s established, reining in this aggressive spreader requires relentless vigilance.
Plant This Instead:Foamflower(Tiarellaspp.)
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
is a native plant that also can grow in shady spots but won’t take over the garden.
Though not fragrant, its frothy spring flowers attract pollinators, and some varieties offer interesting foliage.
But it has a hyper-reseeding nature you’ll find much less appealing.
Credit:Evgeniya Vlasova / BHG
Plant This Instead:For early summer color, plant well-behaved, pollinator favoritepenstemoninstead of perennial bachelor’s button.
But that admiration will quickly turn to dismay when this vigorous perennial begins spreading everywhere.
False Sunflower
Don’t be fooled byfalse sunflower(Heliopsis helianthoides).
Credit: Jacob Fox
Its garden behavior is nothing like true members of the sunflower family.
False sunflower spreads aggressively by underground roots to form large colonies of plants.
Purple Loosestrife
This perennial has a rap sheet.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
It’s listed as a noxious weed in many states because it overtakes wetlands and crowds out native species.
Although it’s banned from sale in many states, it still makes its way into gardens.
Uninformed friends sometimes offer a clump or two from their garden.
Credit:Pete Krumhardt
This is one gift to refuse.
And then kindly fill in your friend on its invasive nature.
Mint
Pete Krumhardt
This perennial herb has wonderfully fragrant and flavorful leaves.
But once youplant mint(Menthaspp.)
in your garden, you’re likely to have it around forever.
Plus it will reseed itself everywhere if you allow it to flower.
