Our team at Aubin Ace Hardware in NH spends a lot of time offering gardening advice, especially in the spring. Many homeowners and casual gardeners are always looking for easy-to-care-for plants to add to their landscapes. However, some of the groundcover and low-maintenance plants we often plant in our yards are actually toxic or invasive. While they may look charming and low-maintenance, periwinkle (Vinca minor), lily of the valley, and English ivy are three common plants that can quickly turn from garden favorites into ecological nightmares. Many gardeners are drawn to their beauty and hardiness, but it’s worth taking a closer look at the long-term consequences of planting them.
Are you about to plant perennials that are actually weeds? Here’s why you should think twice before planting these common perennials.
Periwinkle Plant
Periwinkle, with its glossy leaves and delicate purple flowers, is often used as ground cover. However, it spreads aggressively and can smother native plants, especially in forested areas. Once established, it’s tough to remove, as it forms dense mats that resist even the most strenuous weeding efforts.
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley may look innocent with its sweet-scented, bell-shaped blooms, but it’s another highly invasive species in many areas. It spreads by underground rhizomes, quickly taking over garden beds and escaping into surrounding habitats. Worse, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, posing a risk to pets and small children.
English Ivy
English ivy is perhaps the most notorious of the three. It climbs trees and structures with ease, often strangling its hosts or adding so much weight that limbs snap. It also harbors pests and creates dense shade that prevents native seedlings from growing. Once ivy takes hold, it can destroy brickwork, fences, and even forest ecosystems.
Garden Well This Spring and Summer with Ace Hardware in NH
While these plants might seem like easy, attractive options for your landscape, their environmental impact can be severe. Instead of endangering your landscape—and possibly your pets—with invasive plants, try native alternatives. For example, creeping phlox is a perennial that looks similar to the periwinkle plant, but it’s native to the area, non-toxic, and comes in many different colors. Whatever you decide to plant, you can find all the tools and supplies you need at Aubin Ace Hardware in NH.
