Three Popular Chinese Plant Species That You Should Never Grow

Some of the most striking and highly-coveted plants are originally from China. Yet, if you are looking to improve your landscaping aesthetics with Chinese flora, do your research first: some of these plants are extremely dangerous to the native plant and animal life here in America.

Three of the most popular, yet environmentally devastating Chinese plants used in American landscaping are Multiflora Roses, Butterfly Bushes, and Chinese Wisteria.

Multiflora Rose

The Multiflora Rose was originally brought to the United States for purely aesthetic reasons. In the 1930s, these beautiful plants, which are native to Japan, China, and Korea, proved themselves to have function as well as lovely form, however. The Multiflora Rose can grow up to 13 feet tall and it reproduces and spreads densely and rapidly; thus, Americans began purposefully planting this species along fence lines, property borders, and even crash barriers as "living fences."

Unfortunately, because this plant is so hardy and fast-spreading, it threatens the native plant and animal species throughout the United States, including the Great Lakes states, California, and the northwestern region. It crowds out natural and agriculturally-planted flora and inhibits livestock management.

You should not plant Multiflora Roses on your property because you cannot control the spread of this plant's seeds. Birds eat the flowers and seeds and serve to disperse them elsewhere, causing problems on landscapes and properties that are not yours. Instead, opt for a native rose species that will not threaten your community.

Butterfly Bush

Everybody loves a garden flecked with fanciful butterflies, but be careful how you go about attracting these insects. One of the most popular ways that gardeners attract butterflies is by planting an appropriately-named Butterfly Bush. These plants are available in a wide variety of colors and types suitable for either warm or cool climates. They produce nectar that is very effective at attracting not only butterflies, but also hummingbirds.

Here is where the trouble begins. The Butterfly Bush is native to China, but it has spread all over the globe. Like the Multiflora Rose, the Butterfly Bush spreads beyond your yard with the help of birds and insects that feast off of it. Thus, you can cultivate and trim and control your Butterfly Bush within the confines of your yard, but you cannot control the wildlife that spread its seed elsewhere.

The Butterfly Bush is classified as an invasive species; despite what nurseries and butterfly conservationists would have you believe, this species threatens the natural ecosystem. It spreads prolifically and disturbs natural plant life that butterflies actually prefer anyway. Instead of the Butterfly Bush, plant a species that butterflies actually prefer and are simultaneously native to your state.

Chinese Wisteria

The Chinese Wisteria, a hardy ornamental vine that climbs and thrives on walls and other plants, was first brought to America in 1816. It is very easy to grow and maintain, so gardeners and landscapers gravitate to it. Unfortunately, it is these aspects that also make it a threat to native plants.

The Chinese Wisteria can grow up to 65 feet long, choking out the plants and trees that it grows upon and blocking sunlight from surrounding foliage. Plus, its seed pods are poisonous to unsuspecting hungry animals.

Instead of planting Chinese Wisteria, you can accomplish the same look by planting a related native species, the American Wisteria. This species does not pose the same environmental threats, as it is native to the southeastern United States region. These two species are very similar in appearance and growth patterns, but the American Wisteria is considerably less aggressive. To learn more, contact a business like Marlowe's We Care Company.