By Andrew J. Baril

Throughout the last two months some of us have opened our windows, accomplished our spring cleaning, and planted our flower and vegetable gardens. Also during this time, we re-evaluate our shrubbery and trees in our landscaping, with the plan of replacing diseased and dying plants. Our gardening activities bring beauty to our properties, but it can also bring us grief. What I am talking about are invasive plants. Many plants can be moved around the world without any adverse circumstances, but some plants grow at uncontrollable rates when moved.

Before purchasing a plant at a box store, feed & seed, or nursery do your research. Search the Internet, type in the common name of the plant you are considering in the search box in your browser, and see what comes up. The US Dept. of Agriculture www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov and the University of Georgia www.invasive.org have great websites. Many of the plants Southerners have grown up with are now considered invasive: Chinaberry, Bradford Pear, Popcorntree, Nandina, Chinese Privet, Autumn Olive, Mimosa, Kudzu, Japanese Honeysuckle, Bamboo, Nonnative Wisterias, English Ivy, among others. These plants are easily found in forests throughout Alabama. A plant is considered invasive when its population explodes! The plant produces abundant seeds, it has no natural enemies, and it changes the ecosystem; killing native plants to continue its growth. In some places non-native invasive plants completely occupy vast acreage. All of us have seen acres of kudzu or privet covering local mountainsides.

One of Alabama's greatest challenges today is Cogongrass. This plant came into the state around 100 years ago in Mobile County. Today it has found its way into almost every county. Cogongrass takes over an ecosystem by killing the roots of other plants, by occupying the space from dying plants, or by seeding in from local patches. Cogongrass also has high rosin content in its leaves. When it burns, it burns at very high temperatures. In a forested system, a fire going through a Cogongrass patch will kill the standing timber because of the high temperatures. Cogongrass is blooming right now! It has a white seed-head and stands about calf-high. Contact your local Extension or Forestry Commission agent if you find Cogongrass. If it is in a pastures or hay fields please do not cut it.

Together we can put an end to invasive plants, but we must work together. Please reconsider landscaping plans if they include non-native plants, and should you find these plants in rural areas ask for help.

Garden Talk is written by Andrew J. Baril of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, C. Beaty Hanna Horticulture & Environmental Center, which is based at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. This column includes research-based information from land-grant universities around the country, including Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. Email questions to Andy at ajb0012@auburn.edu, or call (205) 879-6964. Learn more about what is going on in Jefferson County by visiting the ACES website, www.aces.edu/Jefferson. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/alabamacooperativeextensionsystem and follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/acesedu. ACES is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce. Educational programs of ACES serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin."