Whatz That? - Oh NO!

There are certain plants that have been brought into the desert for various reasons, but are considered invasive because they reseed freely and crowd out native species.  Many of these invasive plants can be found in our gardens and a few are still sold in nurseries.  The following plants are included in this group:

Giant Reed/Arundo donax  This reed is seen all over the Mediterranean lands, filling marshes and wetlands.  When I bought my house, it formed a thicket between adjoining houses.  It has taken a lot of digging and constant vigilance with weedkiller to keep it out, even though there is now a wall between the properties.  I have not had trouble with it reseeding; but it spreads by rhizomes.

White Fountain Grass/Pennesetum setaceum
This is no longer seen in local nurseries.  It reseeds in our area, but not freely as it needs more water than we have.  It is very invasive in the mountains and the low desert.  The purple variety, which is still sold, is not considered invasive  because it does not survive our winters.

Spanish Broom/Spartium junceum  This plant is beautiful in the Spring when it is covered with yellow flowers.  However, it reseeds freely.  I'll replace this picture when I get one of it in bloom.  It is sensitive to pruning and therefore is easy to kill. 

Salt Cedar/ Tamarix  

 parviflora           

The BLM is attempting to eradicate this along the Mojave River.  Nonetheless it is a pretty shrub especially when it is blooming.  But it reseeds more freely than other tamarisks.  And like all tamarisks, it makes the ground salty.

Pampas Grass/Cortaderia selloana
This plant does not particularly reseed.  But once planted, it is hard to eradicate.  Given water, even the dwarf varieties expand to 6'x6' clumps.






Tree of Heaven/Ailanthus altissima  This is a good shade tree that grows where other trees do not.  However it is very invasive, suckering and reseeding freely.  It grows to be about 50'x50'.  I will not be able to get a good picture of one, that shows the leaves, until Spring.  A friend has one of these and I will add a picture when it blooms in the Spring.  But right now it doesn't look like much as she just had it pruned.