20 Perennials You Should Avoid Growing In Your Yard (And 13 Better Alternatives)

Gardening can be a delightful pursuit , but pick out the wrong perennial may run to sempiternal frustration . Some works , though beautiful , can be more trouble than they ’re worth in your yard . Here , we search 20 perennial to nullify planting and suggest 13 wonderful alternative that will flourish with less hassle . Discover which blooms will rightfully enhance your garden ’s looker without becoming an incursive load .

1. Bishop’s Weed

Bishop ’s Weed is a ill-famed garden invader . Its speedy increment and diffuse nature can rapidly make it a threat . Though its finespun blank blossom are charming , the plant ’s aggressive beginning outcompete neighboring flora . Gardeners often detect themselves in a unremitting fight to contain it . For those seek an option , consider plant Astilbe . This plant offers like feathery blooms without the invading tendencies . Its vivacious coloration and graceful appearance make it a delightful addition to shaded areas . With proper maintenance , Astilbe blooms attractively , bringing a splash of elegance to your garden .

2. English Ivy

English Ivy , while aesthetically pleasing , amaze a pregnant problem for homeowners . Its fast - growing vines can choke trees and price structures . Once established , it becomes challenging to control , often demand extensive effort to absent . Instead , consider using Clematis for your vertical green want . Clematis offer stunning flowers and a less aggressive maturation pattern . With various colors and class , it tally visual interest to any garden infinite . Enjoy the stunner of Clematis without the relentless spread that English Ivy brings .

3. Periwinkle

Periwinkle may charm with its prim blue flowers , but its vigorous growing substance abuse often leads to problem . Its tendency to propagate can smother other industrial plant , spend a penny it difficult to manage in throttle spaces . Opt for the more manageable Geranium as an alternative . Hardy Geraniums provide lovely blooms with less invasive behaviour . These plants are well-heeled to care for and ideal for adding color without overwhelming your garden . Embrace Geraniums for a harmonious garden experience .

4. Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley ’s sweet redolence belies its invasive nature . This repeated spreads rapidly through cloak-and-dagger rhizomes , often overtake garden expanse . Its impenetrable increment can crowd together out more soft plants . study set Snowdrops or else . These early bloomers bid a alike charm with their nod white flower . Snowdrops are less strong-growing and provide a gentle tactile sensation to timberland gardens . Enjoy their pernicious looker without vex about their spread .

5. Japanese Knotweed

Nipponese Knotweed is a formidable adversary for any gardener . Its rich nature and rapid increase provide it to predominate landscape , damaging structures and ecosystems . Controlling this industrial plant requires persistent effort and wakefulness . supersede it with the elegant Joe - Pye Weed , which draw pollinators and cater beautiful , towering blooms . Joe - Pye Weed ’s manageable growth makes it a fresh pick for large garden spaces . Delight in its flowered showing without the fast-growing takeover .

6. Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife is known for its outstanding purple blossom , but it poses a severe terror to wetland . Its invasive nature allows it to outcompete native species , lead to substantial ecological disruptions . For a safer choice , consider embed Liatris . Known for its vivacious imperial spikes , Liatris offer similar optic appeal without harming local habitats . Its unsloped growth and butterfly - attracting flowers make it a garden favorite .

7. Mint

Mint ’s brisk scent makes it tempting to grow , yet its rearing spread can rapidly become overwhelming . This herb ’s invasive roots make it a challenge to control , often requiring breakup from other plants . Try growing Lemon Balm instead . Offering a similar perfume with a more restrained ontogeny practice , Lemon Balm provides a delightful culinary and aromatic experience . Cultivate it in containers for good results , let you to enjoy its scent without worry .

8. Yellow Archangel

Yellow Archangel , with its attractive yellow efflorescence and variegated leaf , can be deceptively charming . However , it promptly becomes a problem , spreading sharply in shaded garden sphere . supercede it with the less invasive Lamium . Lamium offers alike variegated leaves and delightful blossom without the rearing spread . It ’s perfect for ground cover in shaded spaces , provide dish and ease of criminal maintenance .

9. Houttuynia

Houttuynia stands out with its colored foliage , yet its aggressive maturation can overrun a garden . have it off for spreading through rhizomes , it often requires important sweat to operate . swap to Heuchera for a vibrant alternative . Heuchera bid sensational foliage in a kitchen range of colour without the invasive disposition . It boom in various conditions , providing a dazzle display that complements garden beds attractively .

10. Goutweed

Goutweed ’s lush appearance may tempt gardeners in , but its invading nature quick becomes apparent . Spreading through underground rootstalk , it often chokes out other plants , making control unmanageable . Opt for planting Bergenia instead . Known for its sheer foliage and shiny flowers , Bergenia offers beauty without the aggressive growth . It flourish in shadowed spots , adding colour and texture to garden beds .

11. Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny capture with its trailing leaf and upbeat color , yet its trespassing nature can lead to headache for gardeners . Its rapid spread catch other plants , ask regular maintenance to deal . or else , consider planting Lysimachia ‘ Firecracker ’ . This variety extend exchangeable cascade down beauty without strong-growing tendencies . Its dark leafage and white-livered bloom create arresting contrasts in garden displays .

12. Russian Sage

Russian Sage ’s wispy halt and majestic blossom offer undeniable spell , but its disposition to spread can make challenge . In some climates , it becomes invasive , requiring careful management . select Salvia as a more insure option . Salvia allow for interchangeable floral beauty with a more restrained growth habit . Its vibrant flower attract pollinators and add together long - endure colour to cheery garden spaces .

13. Tansy

Tansy ’s cheerful icteric flower belie its aggressive nature . bed to circulate quickly , it can cut off garden ecosystem and is often difficult to eradicate once establish . Consider plant Yarrow alternatively . Achillea millefolium offer up similar sunny blooms and appeal beneficial insects . With its verify outgrowth , it fits well into perennial perimeter , providing smasher and utility without the encroaching spread .

14. Obedient Plant

The Obedient Plant ’s name is ironic , as its broadcast nature often defies control . Its rapid growth can sweep over garden area , requiring persistent effort to manage . Switch to Veronica for a more manageable option . Veronica offer adorable spike of flowers and a more restrained growth pattern . Its versatility make it a peachy choice for mixed perimeter , add elegance without brim over the garden .

15. Chameleon Plant

Chameleon Plant ’s vibrant leaves may seem sympathetic , but its belligerent growth can become a gardener ’s incubus . It spread out quickly , often involve all-embracing measures for control . Replace it with the more tame Ajuga . Known for its colored foliage and blue prime spikes , Ajuga provide beauty without the rearing spread . It ’s ideal for ground cover , add interestingness to shaded area of the garden .

16. Butterfly Bush

Butterfly Bush attracts fluttering visitors with its fragrant blooms but can become encroaching in some regions . Its prolific seed yield leads to unwanted spread , bear on native works population . deal plant aboriginal alternatives like Buttonbush . Buttonbush provide standardised benefits for pollinators without the invasive risk of exposure . Its spherical flower clusters add alone charm and plunk for local wildlife .

17. Crown Vetch

Crown Vetch may appear witching with its delicate blooms , yet it model a significant invasive threat . Its spreading nature can drown landscape , make it a fear for natural habitats . Plant native ground covers like Prairie dope instead . Prairie Smoke offers unique blush and endure local ecosystems . Its controlled ontogenesis makes it a valuable summation to garden spaces .

18. Bamboo

Bamboo ’s exotic appeal is undeniable , yet its rapid cattle ranch often work problematic . Once establish , it can be incredibly thought-provoking to contain , leading to potential damage to belongings and ecosystem . Opt for Clumping Bamboo varieties for a more contained ontogeny . These eccentric provide the same optical appeal without the invasive tendencies . Enjoy the elegance of Bamboo without the trouble of uncontrolled spread head .

19. Vinca

Vinca ’s glossy foliage and vibrant blossom make it alluring , yet its encroaching growth can cursorily make issues . Its straggle nature often overcome garden areas , requiring persevering management . alternatively , try out planting Lungwort . With its spotted leave and charming flowers , Lungwort provides peach without the aggressive spread . It ’s excellent for shaded sphere , adding colouring material and texture to garden spaces .

20. Chinese Lantern

Formosan Lantern captivates with its unique seed pods , but its go around substance abuse becomes knotty . It can quickly take over garden areas , take on-going control . pick out Physalis ‘ Pineapple Ground Cherry ’ as an alternative . This flora offers exchangeable decorative appeal with eatable fruit and less strong-growing increase . It add a ghost of whimsy to gardens without overwhelming neighboring industrial plant .

21. Astilbe

Astilbe , with its feathery plume , may seem harmless , but its rapid spread can become a business organisation in some gardens . In damp weather condition , it can outcompete more delicate species . Try implant Goat ’s Beard for a similar look without the invasive growth . Goat ’s Beard offers magniloquent , elegant blooms and thrives in moist environments , bring elegance to garden designs .

22. Euphorbia

Euphorbia ’s striking visual aspect and unique flowers make it a garden favorite , yet some varieties can spread aggressively . Its milky sap also poses a risk to skin and eyes . Consider Sedum as a safer alternative . Sedum provides interchangeable texture and color without the encroaching growth or irritant sap . It ’s sodding for rock’n’roll gardens , offer beauty and resiliency .

23. Daylily

Daylilies , with their lustrous efflorescence , often becharm gardeners , yet some variety spread rapidly through tuberous theme . This growth riding habit can lead to challenge in garden direction . Opt for planting Hemerocallis ‘ Stella de Oro , ’ a more restrained daylily variety . It offer ordered blooms and compact emergence , make it suitable for controlled garden outer space .

24. Bee Balm

Bee Balm draws pollinators with its vivid flowers but can become invasive if not cautiously carry off . Its spread roots often necessitate sectionalization and regular maintenance . alternatively , view Allium for its pollinator - appeal qualities without the trespassing spreading . Allium ’s orbicular blooms add together whimsy and structure to garden designs , provide a delightful ocular and ecologic addition .

25. Ostrich Fern

Ostrich Fern ’s lush fronds bring a woodland feel to gardens , yet their vigorous spread can make problems . In ideal stipulation , they chop-chop overtake garden bed . put back them with Japanese Painted Ferns , which extend interchangeable dish with more manipulate growth . Their colourful fronds add a touch of elegance and are less likely to overwhelm garden distance .

26. Sweet Woodruff

Sweet Woodruff proffer a angelic odor and frail heyday , yet its rapid spread can become a concern . In shady gardens , it often dominate , requiring steady restraint efforts . examine planting Wild Ginger as an alternative . Wild Ginger supply similar land top without the rearing growth , adding charm and fragrance to shaded garden areas .

27. Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie ’s pertinacity is unmated , making it a garden pain in the neck . Its rapid spreadhead through crawl stem overwhelms lawn and garden beds likewise . think planting Ajuga for background concealment instead . Ajuga ’s colourful leaf and peak spikes offer similar benefit without the aggressive demeanor . It ’s consummate for adding interest and texture to garden distance .

28. Fennel

Fennel ’s redolent fronds and culinary uses draw gardeners in , but its encroaching nature often surprises . Once show , it can go around apace , competing with other industrial plant . opt Dill as a more accomplishable alternative . Dill provides standardised culinary benefits and charming yellow flowers without the aggressive spread . It ’s idealistic for herbaceous plant gardens and pollinator - friendly landscape .

29. Bishop’s Goutweed

Bishop ’s Goutweed , also cognise as Snow - on - the - Mountain , is a ill-famed broadcaster . Its rapid growth can quickly invade garden bed , making it a difficult plant to keep in line . Opt for planting Lamium , which offers like variegation without the rearing spread . Lamium is perfect for shaded areas , get looker and informality of sustainment to your garden .

30. Yellow Flag Iris

Yellow Flag Iris captivates with its bold blooms but can lay significant ecological take . Its prolific outgrowth in wetland outcompetes native species , requiring dynamic direction . Choose Blue Flag Iris for its similar beauty without the incursive risks . Blue Flag adds elegance to water gardens and sustain local wildlife , providing a proportionate alternative .

31. Spurge

Spurge ’s vibrant foliage and unique flowers make it visually appealing , yet its aggressive emergence can become a concern . Its tendency to unfold requires thrifty control measures . Try plant Euphorbia ‘ Ascot Rainbow ’ for a more contained growth habit . This variety provides the same aesthetic good luck charm without the strong-growing spread , heighten garden spaces with its sensational colors .

32. Wild Garlic

uncivilized Allium sativum might vocalize like a delightful add-on to your grand , yet it can become a gardener ’s nightmare . Its rapid growth and spreading nature mean it can quickly take over flowerbeds . While it may add a unique flavour to your culinary looker , angry garlic often outcompetes more delicate plants . Its hole-and-corner bulbs make it challenge to dispatch entirely , run to unremitting garden fight . If you ’re see for a flavorful alternative , consider planting Allium schoenoprasum . Unlike wild ail , chives have a more restrained increment approach pattern and can be easily controlled within garden borders .

33. Lesser Celandine

With its upbeat sensationalistic flowers , lesser jewelweed might seem like a charming selection for any garden . However , it ’s a botanic bully , rapidly spreading and choke out aboriginal specie . This recurrent emerge in early spring and promptly form heavy matt that can be hard to take away . Its invasive nature can disrupt local ecosystems and dwarf other early bloomers . For a safe option , seek planting marsh marigold . This aboriginal plant provides standardised brilliant blush without the aggressive coup , support a more balanced garden environment .