Regional Picks: Alternatives to Troublesome Plants – Midwest

Troublesome Plant –European privet

( Ligustrum vulgare )

1. ‘Conoy’ Burkwood Viburnum

Name:Viburnum×burkwoodii‘Conoy’

USDA hardiness zones:5 to 8

Size:4 to 5 feet tall and 7 to 8 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun to partial ghost ; moist , well - drained soil

‘ Conoy ’ burkwood viburnum is a thick introduction from the United States National Arboretum and a superior option to the belligerent , invasive , yet ubiquitous European privet . This multistemmed , overspread shrub has small , shiny , benighted unripened leaves , which turn abstruse maroon during insensate calendar month ; in warmer geographical zone , the OK - textured foliage is dependably evergreen . In late leap , ‘ Conoy ’ come alive with jazzy , creamy white flower , which have a slight fragrance . The flowers give rise to red yield by late summertime and persist on the shrub into autumn . It is an ideal works to employ one by one , mass in a border , along a foundation , or in an informal hedge .

TroublesomePlant –Purple loosestrife

( Lythrum salicaria )

2. ‘Apollo’ Culver’s Root

Name:Veronicastrum virginicum‘Apollo’

Zones:4 to 8

Size:4 to 5 human foot grandiloquent and 2 to 3 feet wide

experimental condition : Full sun to partial shade ; moist , well - drained , rich grunge

Stately ‘ Apollo ’ Culver ’s tooth root has a standardized erect use to purple loosestrife but without the latter ’s invasive nature . It can be placed in the back of a border or throughout the garden to add a dramatic stress . lancet - shaped , sorry green folio are whorled around the stems in rosettes . Its coarse leaves contrast well with forage and other fine - textured plant . From early to belated summer , refined branching spire of lilac flowers rise above the foliage . The efflorescence are inviting to pollinators and hummingbird , and they are also great for edit out .

TroublesomePlant –Cannas

( Cannaspp . and cvs . )

3. False Hellebore

Name:Veratrum californicum

Zones:5 to 9

Size:6 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Conditions : Full sunlight to fond shade ; fertile , dampish soil

For a tropical look without the overwintering hassle of cannas , test false hellebore , an impressive and long - inhabit perennial that forms large clumps . In late summer to other free fall , the thick-skulled stem of this plant rise above the trenchant , corrugate , bright fleeceable foliage to confirm a candelabra - corresponding anthesis of creamy white flowers . Do n’t cut it back in fall as the seed heads offer good winter interest . It is slow to bloom ( five years from seed ) , but it ’s worth the waiting . This plant life is immune to deer and rodents due to its toxicity , but it should be restrain away from range pets .

Adam Woodruff is the principal designer at Adam Woodruff and Associates , a landscape - excogitation firm in St. Louis , Missouri .

Photos , except where noted : # 1 ( troublesome ) , Bill Johnson ; # 1 ( alternative ) , Jerry Pavia ; # 2 ( troublesome ) , Jennifer Benner ; # 3 ( troublesome ) , Michelle Gervais ; # 2 ( option ) and # 3 ( alternative ) , courtesy of Adam Woodruff ;

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Regional Picks: Alternatives to Troublesome Plants - Northeast

Regional Picks: Alternatives to Troublesome Plants - Southeast

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