Georgia's Five Most Invasive Weeds

The banes of every gardener's existence, weeds are nonetheless a fact of gardening life. And in Georgia's warm climate, the most invasive weeds seem to flourish with abandon, moving into gardens uninvited and taking up residence to the exclusion of invited plants. However, unless the weed is actually harmful, such as poison ivy or poison oak, gardeners have two choices: plant around the flowering weeds, incorporating them into your garden plan or rid your garden of them by hand pulling or herbicide.

Although the list of common weeds native to Georgia is rather extensive, Georgia's five most invasive weeds appear in virtually every garden and wreak havoc unless thwarted. Yet, since what one person perceives as a garden menace another deems a delightful wildflower, methods both to tame and to destroy these most invasive weeds follow.

Kudzu

More ubiquitous than any other weed, kudzu has become practically synonymous with the southeastern United States and with the state of Georgia in particular. Originally introduced to the United States by Japan at a celebration of this country's one-hundredth birthday, this large-leafed vine with the delicate blooms was later used to curb erosion and has now proliferated to the point of bullying all other plants around it.

Having said this, if you need a plant on a slope or hill on which it will be the sole occupant, kudzu may be the plant for you. Still great for preventing erosion, these vines grow very rapidly, filling in any space at the rate of nearly a foot per day. However, be aware that any trees, shrubs, lampposts or fences in its path may succumb to its tenacious and widespread reach.

Removing kudzu is no easy task. It requires consistent and persistent applications of herbicides for a few years. Or, for those averse to chemicals, constant mowing may keep kudzu at bay. Just be aware that once introduced, it's nearly impossible to remove kudzu completely and your only recourse is merely to keep it under control.

Japanese Honeysuckle

Another vine introduced to the United States via Japan, the Japanese version of honeysuckle is pretty, with fragrant white or yellow blossoms, and yet, so willful that it will grow anywhere, wrapping itself around any plant in sight and sucking the life out of it.

Used as an ornamental plant, honeysuckle can be kept in check by zealous pruning. Lacking the enthusiasm for perpetual pruning, you might consider an herbicide for this plant. Alternatively, in a controlled environment, burning Japanese honeysuckle in the spring will largely destroy this plant, although additional hand pulling of vines that later sprout may still be needed.

Mulberry Weed

Standing upright at three to four feet at full height, with serrated edges on its leaves, mulberry weed is an attractive garden menace. Volunteering to grow, often in the shade of other plants or imbedded within them, it is particularly insidious as its stems are covered in thorns, making it rather treacherous to pull by hand. However, unlike kudzu and Japanese honeysuckle, this plant does not attack others.

Nevertheless, left unchecked, mulberry weed will flower and bear seeds, producing even more plants. While post-emergent herbicides are an effective means of eliminating this plant, donning a pair of gloves and pulling it up at the roots is equally effective.

Virginia Threeseed Mercury

Chartreuse leaves becoming deep green and pointy leaves, with markings similar to those of rose leaves, characterize Virginia Threeseed Mercury. Growing in full sun or even partial shade, this plant stands about 18 to 24 inches tall at full height and can be poisonous if eaten and irritating to skin if touched, making its disadvantages abundantly clear. Yet bees, butterflies and birds are all drawn to it.

This notwithstanding, ridding your garden of Virginia Threeseed Mercury is simply a matter of pulling it up by hand or if it stands along, depriving it of water.

Nepalese Browntop

Somewhat reminiscent of bamboo plants - with long, narrow green leaves - but ranging in height from six inches to three feet, Nepalese browntop grows with the characteristics of an invasive groundcover and is actually considered an annual grass.

Happiest in floodplains, this plant will nonetheless flourish and multiply in many gardens as it produces hundreds of seeds per plant. In a shady area without other vegetation, this may be a desirable plant. If not, be sure to remove it before it sets seed by pulling it up by the root or applying herbicide.

Georgia gardeners are sure to encounter Georgia's five most invasive weeds, but it's a matter of perspective as to whether these plants are welcomed or evicted.