Marin IJ Articles

Plants to avoid

• Marie Narlock

• Most plants are a joy to grow, but some plants – like some people – create problems. They don’t mean to, of course. It’s just their nature. Here are the plants (and people) to avoid.

  

  Broom is among the most invasive plants in California. One Spanish broom plant can produce up to 10,000 seeds per season. Photo: Creative Commons

  Invasive plants: too much of a (bad) thing
  Ever had horrendous houseguests? They might bust into your cupboards, leave dishes in the sink, screw up your TV channels, and leave stuff strewn all over. Even worse? They won’t leave!

  These are the invasive plants of the horticultural world. It’s the ivy you plant that invades your garden (and your neighbor’s). It’s the broom that fuels fire on Mt. Tam. It’s pampas grass along Corte Madera Creek and, ice plant along the coast, and morning glory twining its way onto your roof.

  No one means to plant problems, just like no one means to invite guests who create havoc. In their native habitat, these plants are kept in check. But Marin’s sublime growing conditions allow plants from all over the world to grow like crazy. Some arrived with European settlers years ago. Others were introduced by nurseries and have proliferated due to climate change.

  Regardless, they are non-native thugs that harm the environment, economy, and/or human health. Please avoid them.

  

  Plants treated with neonicotinoid insecticides may harm bees and other pollinators. Photo: TJ Gehling

  Treated plants: just say no
  Then there’s the guy who shows up with a nasty cold. He sneezes, wipes his nose, and shakes your hand. Eeew.

  Just like this clueless fellow can pass along his virus, some plants can unwittingly cause harm to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

  Why? Because these plants have been treated with neonicotinoids, the most widely used insecticides worldwide. These systemic chemicals can end up in plants’ nectar and pollen and can remain active for three years.

  Unfortunately, it’s not necessarily obvious which plants have been sprayed. Your best bet? Look for “neonic-free” tags. Support nurseries that have a “no neonicotinoid” policy. Buy organic plants from local growers who can attest to their pesticide-free plants.

  As for your clueless friend? Perhaps it’s time to pull out the masks.

  

  Clover (trifolium repens) is an easy, beautiful lawn alternative that uses much less water than traditional grass. Photo: Marie Narlock

  Water hogs: shut off the tap
  What about the drinkers? They start out friendly enough, but the more they drink, the louder and more unpleasant they become.

  It’s like grass. It seemed like a good choice: simply roll out the sod. But then the water rates went up, and you’re tired of mowing, and you start looking at your lawn differently. It’s not the sweet girlfriend you sip a glass of wine with every few months. It’s your loudmouth neighbor who throws back a six-pack every weekend.

  Conventional lawns guzzle water, a profoundly precious resource in Marin County and throughout California. If you’re using your lawn, great. If not, please consider a less-thirsty option.

  Misfits: when do you roll out the welcome mat?
  You get along with your pals because of your shared interests, temperaments, or other traits. Somehow, you mesh.

  Likewise, your plants need to be sympatico with your garden. That is, they need to match your garden’s conditions. Bottom line? Avoid sun-loving plants in shady locations. Pass on the 100-foot tree for a small patio.

  High maintenance plants: who needs ‘em?
  What about the prima donnas? The narcissists? You know the type. “Look at me,” they say with a dismissive flick of the wrist. “I deserve all your attention.”

  These are the persnickety plants that need extra water, food, pruning, and who knows what else. Question is, do you have the time, inclination, and know-how to give them what they need?

  We fall in love; what can I say? It happened to me with an incompatible boyfriend way back when, just as it did with a rhododendron about ten years ago. I babied that little plant like a mama, but I was no match for the relentless aphids and powdery mildew that kept appearing. I gave up – and I never looked back.

  As for the boyfriend? He was cute, but I ditched him, too.