While planning a vibrant flower garden is exciting, some seemingly beautiful flowers can turn into troublesome additions. Avoid these six flowering plants that, despite their aesthetic appeal, can cause headaches for gardeners.
Mint (Lamiaceae Family)
Mint, with its numerous subspecies offering various leaf shapes, structures, and flavors, is a popular choice for teas, cooking, and home remedies. However, its aggressive growth habit makes it a less-than-ideal garden resident. Mint spreads rapidly, outcompeting neighboring plants and quickly taking over garden beds. Its vigorous root system allows it to sprout new shoots in unexpected locations, making containment challenging. To enjoy mint without the invasiveness, consider growing it in a pot.
Mint growing in a pot
Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Often mistaken for phlox due to its similar purple, white, or pink flowers and fragrant aroma, Dame’s Rocket possesses a far more aggressive nature. This biennial plant, related to the noxious weed garlic mustard, spreads rapidly and crowds out native species, particularly in woodland settings. Unlike phlox, which can be managed, Dame’s Rocket quickly becomes a persistent problem.
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum spp.)
Purple Loosestrife’s vibrant rose to purple flowers and low-maintenance nature make it tempting for gardeners. However, its prolific seed production (over two million seeds per plant) and rapid spread pose a significant threat to native wetland ecosystems. Even supposedly sterile cultivars can cross-pollinate with the wild species, contributing to the problem. Avoid planting Purple Loosestrife near any water source to prevent its invasive spread.
Purple Loosestrife in a wetland
Amaranthus
Amaranthus, also known as love-lies-bleeding, boasts impressive size and colorful hanging flower tassels. While visually striking, its flowers release copious amounts of pollen, making it a nuisance for allergy and asthma sufferers. Consider alternatives if you or your neighbors are sensitive to pollen.
Amaranthus flowers with long tassels
Spurge (Euphorbia)
Spurge’s mounded shape and bright greenish blooms are attractive, but its milky sap poses a serious risk. Skin contact can cause irritation, and eye contact can lead to significant injury. Ingestion of the plant is also poisonous. Furthermore, spurge can aggressively spread, displacing other desirable plants in your garden.
Spurge plant with greenish-yellow flowers
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Wormwood, or mugwort, is another high-pollen producer that can trigger allergies. This aggressive plant spreads through both roots and wind-blown seeds, making it incredibly difficult to control. Even mowing and digging are often ineffective against its persistent growth. Note that smaller, mounded artemisia varieties sold in nurseries are generally well-behaved and do not pose the same invasive threat.
Wormwood plant with silvery-green foliage
By avoiding these six flowering plants, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden without the headaches of invasive species and potential health concerns. Choose native plants and less aggressive alternatives to ensure a harmonious and enjoyable gardening experience.