Top 10 Aggressive Vine Species That Are Not Recommended for Planting
Who likes a lush, vine-filled garden? Vines add vertical interest, quick growth, and sometimes even a delightful scent. But beware, many non-native vines are the bullies of the plant world, taking over your yard, strangling shrubs, and even killing trees. These invasive plants are a threat to the environment and the native wildlife that relies on it.
Here's a list of ten invasive vines you should avoid, along with some fantastic alternatives:
1. Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)While it boasts large cascading stems of purple flower clusters, Chinese Wisteria has a dark side. It can climb trees, killing them, and form thickets where nothing else grows.
Plant instead: American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)This is a smaller, non-invasive species with equally fragrant flowers.
2. Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)Aggressive and invasive in most of the eastern U.S., this evergreen groundcover can also climb trees. It tolerates most conditions and can spread rapidly.
Plant instead: Green and gold (Chrysogonum virginianum)A native ground cover that thrives in shaded areas and supports local ecosystems.
3. Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum)This climbing fern can reach heights of 90 feet in the tree canopy, choking out native plants and creating fire hazards.
Plant instead: Leatherflower (Clematis viorna)A native vine that provides spring and summer blooms and attracts hummingbirds.
4. English Ivy (Hedera helix)This popular vine forms dense mats that displace native plants and provide a cozy home for mosquitoes. It's an aggressive grower that can spread 50 feet wide and 80 feet tall.
Plant instead: Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)This native evergreen vine produces bright yellow flowers in the spring and attracts butterflies.
5. Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)Autumn Clematis invades forests, streams, and roadside edges, crowding out native plants and rapidly self-seeding.
Plant instead: Woodbine (Clematis virginiana)A native trailing vine with bell-shaped flowers and a sweet scent that attracts pollinators.
6. Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)This vine scrambles aggressively up and over perennials, shrubs, and trees, forming a tangled, difficult-to-remove mess.
Plant instead: Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)A native that produces vibrant red and orange flowers and attracts hummingbirds.
7. Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)Porcelain Berry resembles wild grapes and can easily take over large areas. It's invasive in most of the U.S. and spread by birds and mammals.
Plant instead: Muscadine grape (Vitus rotundifolia)A native grape vine that provides fruit and supports local ecosystems when managed carefully.
8. Multiflora Rose (Rose multiflora)This invasive rose forms dense thickets that crowd out native plants and reduce nesting places for birds. It's especially problematic in fields and pasturelands.
Plant instead: Climbing prairie rose (Rosa setigera)A native climbing rose that attracts bees and butterflies with its fragrant pink flowers.
9. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)This popular groundcover forms dense mats that displace native plants.
Plant instead: Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)A native ground cover that thrives in shade and provides an alternative food source for birds.
10. Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata)This evergreen climber invades forested areas due to its shade tolerance and ability to climb and smother small trees and shrubs. It's especially problematic in Georgia, Florida, and coastal regions.
Plant instead: Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)A native vine that provides food for hummingbirds, butterflies, and moths in the summer. Its fragrant flowers are also attractive to pollinators.
- Southern Living magazine offers a wealth of gardening ideas, including alternatives to invasive vines that threaten native wildlife and the environment.
- In the garden design process, it's essential to avoid planting species like the Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) known for their invasive nature and potential harm to trees.
- American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), a non-invasive and smaller species, is a great alternative to the Chinese Wisteria for those seeking equally fragrant flowers.
- Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) is an invasive and aggressive groundcover that can clamber up trees, changing the landscape of your garden in a negative way.
- Green and gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), a native ground cover that thrives in shaded areas, is an ideal alternative to Wintercreeper, supporting local ecosystems.
- Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) is another invasive fern that can grow up to 90 feet in the tree canopy, choking out native plants and creating fire hazards.
- Leatherflower (Clematis viorna) is a native vine that provides spring and summer blooms and attracts hummingbirds, making it an excellent alternative to the Japanese Climbing Fern.
- English Ivy (Hedera helix) forms dense mats that displace native plants and create a haven for mosquitoes, making it an aggressive, invasive plant to avoid.
- Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a native evergreen vine that produces bright yellow flowers in the spring and attracts butterflies, providing a great alternative to English Ivy.
- Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) invades forests, streams, and roadside edges, crowding out native plants and rapidly self-seeding.
- Woodbine (Clematis virginiana) is a native trailing vine with bell-shaped flowers and a sweet scent that attracts pollinators, serving as an excellent replacement for the Autumn Clematis.
- Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) scrambles aggressively, forming a tangled mess that's difficult to remove, whereas Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a native vine that produces vibrant red and orange flowers and attracts hummingbirds.
- Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) resembles wild grapes and can easily take over large areas, but the Muscadine grape (Vitus rotundifolia), a native grape vine that provides fruit and supports local ecosystems when managed carefully, is a better alternative.
