Planting Suggestions

OK, now I'm not sure if you're kidding or not! But PLEASE don't plant that stuff, anywhere. It's one of the worst noxious weeds in North America. All of us have been trying for decades to control it. Plant something more benign instead, like Canada thistle or Kudzu.

Funny Fellow

alyrics-Good eye! That's Vera all right. :0)

Re invasives, keep in mind that isn't necessarily a universal thing. To my knowledge, barberries are not rampant here, but are potentially invasives,same as euonymous. I suppose it's the old saw about right plant, right place, and being responsible. The most environmentally responsible thing to do is to plant natives, judiciously mixed with non-natives for best ornamental effect.

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) is listed as invasive in Illinois according to The Conservation Foundation, Chicago Botanic Gardens and Illinois Natural History Survey Vegetative Management. For more info go http://www.theconservationfoundation.org/tcf/ch/ninps-iips.asp

Also listed as invasive by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/ExoticSpecies/Japanesebarberry.htm

I saw them plant this purple barberry on Curb Appeal on HGTV this morning. You'd think they would be more responsible.

Japanese Barberry is popping up all over my property and across the street on County property. The parent plants are right next door and next door to them and next door to them. Barberry is a very popular plant unfortunately and new cultivars are being released on a regular basis to meet demand. Shows like Curb Appeal don't exactly help matters. It sure is pretty but it is right up there with Multiflora Rosa with those thorns that snag clothing and leave you bloody- Ouch!

I've removed six large Barberry shrubs and am waiting for the catbirds to fledge their last brood of the season so I can remove the 7th and final large shrub. Those thorns can pierced right through leather gloves.

"Ouch!" is the nicest thing I yelled when removing those darn shrubs.

They sure are pretty though. :-(

Its good to live in soil that can only grow the heartiest of beings. My barberry are beautiful and very deer proof. LOL

I agree, they are pretty.

Not that you need to read all this but areas change and many plants are quite area specific so that the gardener needs to know that their area is unique and all the talk of invasive need to be filtered through this arena. So being a national/international forum we should clarify our concerns to those we are suggesting plant removal due to invasive tendencies to other areas. If you reference the location of where this individual wants to plant is Littleton Colorado. This is quite a different location than the alluvial soils of the Ohio and Mississippi areas.

Montana
Updated 2005
Category 1. Category 1 noxious weeds are weeds that are currently established and generally widespread in many counties of the state. Management criteria includes awareness and education, containment and suppression of existing infestations and prevention of new infestations. These weeds are capable of rapid spread and render land unfit or greatly limit beneficial uses.

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica)
Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa)
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.)
Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)
Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L.)
Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens)
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)
St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)
Sulfur (Erect) cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)
Whitetop or Hoary cress (Cardaria draba)
Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
Category 2. Category 2 noxious weeds have recently been introduced into the state or are rapidly spreading from their current infestation sites. These weeds are capable of rapid spread and invasion of lands, rendering lands unfit for beneficial uses. Management criteria includes awareness and education, monitoring and containment of known infestations and eradication where possible.

Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria)
Meadow hawkweed complex (Hieracium pratense, H. floribundum, H. piloselloides)
Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum)
Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)
Purple loosestrife or lythrum (Lythrum salicaria, L. virgatum, and any hybrid crosses thereof)
Tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
Tamarisk [Saltcedar] (Tamarix spp.)
Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
Category 3. Category 3 noxious weeds have not been detected in the state or may be found only in small, scattered, localized infestations. Management criteria includes awareness and education, early detection and immediate action to eradicate infestations. These weeds are known pests in nearby states and are capable of rapid spread and render land unfit for beneficial uses.

Common crupina (Crupina vulgaris)
Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea)
Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus)
Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)