Because fall is here and leaves are currently dropping from trees, I am noticing invasive plants more than ever.  Many are bearing fruit right now.  Did you know that many invasives are first to leaf out in spring and last to drop leaves in the fall?  They seem to out-compete in so many ways.  Recently on a walk in EW with a friend, we saw a number of common invasives along the roadside growing all together.  But first, I pointed out to her that a landscape plant infront of her house is a Burning Bush which is on the list of a favorite by folks but is a trouble maker to nature.  Shortly down the road, there it was was growing among Autumn Olive Shrubs and Oriental Bittersweet Vines.  We also saw tons of Japanese Knotweed.  She asked if the Burning Bushes in the thicket could be from her plant – and I assured her it certainly can.  Wildlife eat the fruits and disperse the seeds to new areas.  Shortly down the road, there was a street sign embedded with vines of Bittersweet.  I almost took a photo, but would you believe on the way back, there was a roadcrew person tearing it off with equipment?  When I took a photo (below) of what he was doing, he admitted it was difficult to rip out manually so he was using this huge equipment to get it off the sign.  Many invasives have thorns and deep root systems that make them difficult to eliminate once established.  That same week, I hiked with my sister in Granby.  We again saw tons of Japanese Barberry in huge thickets in the woods.  All of these invasives are tolerant of a wide range of soil types and light conditions.  Burning Bush turns green in the woods so one may not notice it right off.  I know I’m interested in studying the invasives world more.  I hope you will be inspired to stay away from collecting the berries and seeds from these troublesome

Burning Bush

B Bush Roadside

Tearing off Bittersweet

Road Kill

plants during the fall season for decoration around your home – for you would be bringing them into your landscape where they will certainly escape.  Plants find a way.  Click on photos to enlarge.

I never want to add an invasive plant to a garden design by mistake.  So I try to keep up with news on the subject, attended a CHS ed session about invasives last Sat.  Interesting story I heard was how invasive Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) was attempted to be controlled by burning the bushes in an area, mice scattered everywhere looking for new homes (and as we know, mice play a role in tick problems in CT).  Thus more barberry in the woods, more problems with ticks!  Speaking of burning bushes, burning bushes (Euonymus alatus) are also very invasive.  Try Highbush Blueberry as a great native alternative that has the similar effect of beautiful red foliage in the fall.  For more, see www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal.