Shrubs are an essential element of a vibrant landscape. They add texture, fall color, spring and summer flowers and fragrance, etc.
Some shrubs, however, appear to belong but really don’t (or shouldn’t).
Honeysuckle - This invasive shrub is abundant all over Madison. Leathery green leaves and bright red berries make it appear as a decorative ornamental, but it should not be encouraged. The birds and animals love the berries and help to disperse them, making control of this plant even more difficult. You should be able to spot it as an invasive because it will leaf out before all of our native plants. The best strategy for removal is to dig or cut the stump as low as possible and apply a small amount of non-dilute herbicide to the cut. Resprouting is likely, so just be prepared for another treatment.
Japanese Knotweed - This highly invasive shrub-like perennial has striking white flowers and dramatic large heart-shaped leaves. The thick stems are hollow and usually red. It can grow up to ten feet tall in full sun. With such height and mass it has the ability to overcrowd and kill any smaller, native perennials in its path within a single season. Some are tempted to keep it for its unique appearance and attractive flowering structures, but there are many alternatives that would be healthier for your garden. Just ask us! Japanese Knotweed should be promptly attended to early in spring before its size becomes a deterrent. It is difficult to dig and will resprout from the tiniest root fragment, so the cut and treat method as described above is highly recommended. Remember to bag up refuse and dispose of properly. Composting Knotweed will only result in propagating more!
Common Barberry - Prized for its stunning fall colors and cute little “berries”, the barberry has won the hearts of many a gardener. Unfortunately, it is well on its way to taking over native expanses in woodlands and wetlands as well as disturbed areas. The Barberry is such a threat to Wisconsin landscapes that the DNR has deemed it a prohibited invasive species under rule NR 40. Their recommended control methods can be found in detail here.
Burning Bush - There are many types of non-fruiting (or almost sterile) burning bushes that are widely used in landscaping. These varieties pose very little threat to our Wisconsin natives. However the straight species Euonymus alatus as well as the cultivar ‘Nordine’ adapt too easily to poor conditions and spread too much seed to be trusted as a garden shrub. Fortunately, they can be pulled or dug up pretty easily depending on size and maturity. The bunnies will take care of any resprouting that may occur.
Buckthorn - A highly invasive, thorny small shrub-like tree that is found all around town. The latin name, Rhamnus cathartica is due to the fruit causing the birds to have diarrhea and spread the seeds about - do they even get any nutritional benefit from it? If you already have buckthorn, the treatment process is the same as with Honeysuckle: cut, treat, repeat as needed.