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Non aggressive native plants #871389

Asked June 03, 2024, 5:52 PM EDT

Hi, I’m in the process of designing and planning our yard. I am very interested in using native plants but I have found in my research that many are aggressive growers. Is there a list that states which native plants are aggressive?

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

Not as such, at least not as far as we're aware...in part because the aggressive nature of some species can be related to the growing conditions. For example, a rampant grower in rich or evenly-moist soil in full sun might be more reserved in drier or compacted soil (or in too much shade), or when grown alongside another equally-aggressive native species. Some of the common/familiar native plants that tend to be aggressive in ideal garden settings (either self-seeding, from rhizome spread, or both) include the species below, but it's not an exhaustive list. (Rhizomes are stems that run under the soil surface and sprout new plants as they spread.)
  • Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) -- other milkweeds are more well-behaved
  • River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
  • Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) -- many other goldenrods are more well-behaved
  • Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea)
  • several species of Mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum)
  • Beebalm (Monarda, generally didyma and potentially fistulosa)
  • several species of Fleabane (Erigeron)
  • Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
  • Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) -- seeds can form from unusual underground flowers, so visible blooms aren't always the ones producing seed
  • Late-flowering Thoroughwort (Eupatorium serotinum)
  • various Sumacs (Rhus aromatica, for one)
  • Hayscented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)

Miri
Thank you so much!
I was getting contradictory information online. Makes perfect sense that they have the ability to be aggressive if given the ideal conditions.

On Wed, Jun 5, 2024 at 4:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 06, 2024, 9:27 AM EDT

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