invasive plants

a photo collection of seemingly harmless plants that can be invasive and detrimental to local plant ecology by displacing native plants.  when native plants disappear, the native animal and insect species can be left without food and shelter.  always choose garden plants wisely!  for a complete listing of plants considered invasive in tennessee, visit the tennessee exotic pest plant council's website
privet sprouting up in a patch of white clover.  birds love to eat privet berries and the seeds can be dispersed all over as a result.  we do not have privet in our yard but a neighbor does!

monkey grass-liriope
this indestructible plant is not on the list but as you can see, it spreads easily by both the seeds and the rhizomes.  while it is not on the list on invasive exotics, it is a plant that you should think twice about adding to your landscape-it will spread and is difficult to eradicate!