Knowledgebase

What is this plant growing in my landscaping? #870362

Asked May 28, 2024, 8:26 AM EDT

Hoping you can help identify the plant with the white flowers in the attached pictures. I noticed it over the weekend in several places in my landscaping bed on the east side of my backyard in Gahanna.

Franklin County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi. That is bishop’s weed (Aegopodium podagraria). Although it is pretty and can be effective as a ground cover, it is a very aggressive non-native plant that is difficult to eradicate once it is established. This PDF from Purdue U. on spreading ornamental plants includes it on its lists of things NOT to plant because of its high potential to become invasive. Similarly, it is #2 in this list of “wicked plants” from a 2017 Halloween-themed post in Ohio State University’s Buckeye Yard and Garden Online Newsletter. (Note that the article shows an image of a cultivar with variegated foliage, which makes it more attractive but no less wicked!). This post from the U. of Illinois provides more information about it as well as suggestions for how to eradicate it (which I recommend). If you use chemical controls, be sure to read and follow label directions. However, since it is among your other plants, I think just repeated, vigilant hand-pulling will be your best strategy. Even if you don’t get all of the roots, they will eventually run out of energy if you keep at it. That shouldn’t be too tough if it is in a limited area. I suggest starting today, before it spreads further and/or goes to seed.

Darin C. Replied May 28, 2024, 3:55 PM EDT

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