Autumn Olive: Invasive Elaeagnus Umbellata

The beautiful red berries displayed on Autumn Olive are delicious to birds and other wildlife. Easy to grow, Autumn Olive will plant itself all over your neighborhood after just one season of berries.

Invasive plants such as Autumn Olive should never be planted in the Southeastern United States. Our temperate climate makes it easy for these plants to take over, crowding out native plants that are needed by wildlife.

If it is red berries in fall that you're looking for, there is more than 1 non-invasive alternative for you. I'll list just a few:

• Holly - there are many forms of holly, both native and non-native. Most hollies are evergreen, but there are some deciduous species available. Berries are usually red, but orange or bluish black berries can be found.
  
• Viburnum - Cranberry Bush exhibits bright red berries in fall and also bright red foliage!
• Callicarpa americana - Native American Beauty Berry certainly looks exotic with its vibrant purple berries in September, but surprisingly it is a native plant found growing in the Southeast. Yes, I know, purple is not red, but I had to throw that one into the list, since American Beauty Berry is always my favorite.

Invasive plants such as Autumn Olive should really be removed from the garden at first sight. I wish I'd known this years ago, since I'm still trying to eradicate the thugs surrounding Shady Gardens. For a closeup look at the berries, follow this link to see the Autumn Olive image.

For help in choosing plants for your Georgia garden, take a look at this great chart I found, Native Plants for Georgia.

Privet Is An Invasive Plant! Don't Plant It In Your Garden!

Many invasive plants are still commonly sold and planted here in the Southeast. One still popular but very invasive plant that should not be planted in your garden is the Chinese Privet. Once planted, this invasive shrub is difficult to eradicate. Privet produces tiny berries by the hundreds that are eaten by birds and planted all over the neighborhood. Very soon privet begins popping up in nearby woods and meadows, developing tight thickets that crowd out native plants. I find it ridiculous that privet is still so widely sold and recommended for hedge plantings.

Privet is often chosen at garden centers when the homeowner is looking for a privacy hedge or evergreen shrub that is easy to grow. There are many better choices out there, since just about any plant is better than privet. For alternatives to privet, try visiting your local native plant nursery or a locally owned nursery. There you will find a knowledgeable nurseryman that would have suitable alternatives to privet.

Some plants to consider instead of privet:

• Viburnum - some species are evergreen, most produce large flowers in spring and showy berries in fall, as shown in the above photo. There are both native and non-native varieties.
• Roses provide showy blooms and easy care, if you choose a carefree shrub rose. In addition to beauty, the thorns on most shrub roses can provide a barrier for intruders if that's your goal.
• Holly. Whether you choose an American native variety or not, holly provides berries and beautiful foliage. Some species are evergreen and even variegated. Holly is a favorite of birds as a food source and nesting site.
  

When planning a hedge, I always suggest a mixed shrub border rather than a long row of the same plant. A mixed shrub border can provide beauty and interest 12 months a year, and with variety, you can provide food and shelter for birds and other desirable wildlife. Plants with berries should be included as a food source, and birds love to build nests in thick bushy shrubs with spines or prickly leaves. When you have a variety of plantings in your garden, you are contributing toward diversity that is important for preservation of the environment.

Alternatives to Invasive Plants in the Garden

My gardening goals have changed much over the years. In the beginning I was enticed with plant descriptions such as 'fast growing', 'prolific spreader', or 'reseeds freely', envisioning a lush garden covered with beautiful plants after minimal monetary investment and less work.

Perhaps it was when I enrolled in the Master Gardener Class that I learned of the dangers of planting invasive plants, but it should have been obvious to me sooner. I need only to step outdoors to view the rampant spread of the very aggressive Japanese Honeysuckle. Every time I drive my children to school, I see hillsides overtaken with Kudzu.

Now I view planting invasive exotic plants as down right wrong. Aggressive plants like Kudzu can completely take over a whole field in little time, even killing large trees by blocking sunlight and stealing the very little water we get during drought common to this part of the country.

So as you plan additions to your garden this year, take a moment to investigate a plant's reputation before adding it to your garden.

To offer a little assistance, here's a short list of invasive plants that are still bought, sold, and planted, along with a more environmentally-friendly alternative:

• Japanese Honeysuckle - Plant our native honeysuckle instead, Lonicera sempervirens, commonly referred to as Red Trumpet Honeysuckle or Coral Honeysuckle.
• Japanese Pachysandranda - Instead, try our native Pachysandra Procumbens, which is variegated, offering much more beauty than the plain green invasive one.
• Privet - Well, there are many alternatives to Privet. Anything at all would be better. For a non-invasive hedge, consider holly, viburnum, shrub roses, or camellias.
• Wisteria - Yes, we even have a native wisteria that's much better than the very invasive Chinese or Japanese Wisteria. Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' is available in many nurseries and home improvement stores. Before buying wisteria, check the label. If it merely reads 'Wisteria,' stay away from it. If it's Wisteria frutescens, it will be labeled as such.