The Invasive Vine You Should Avoid Planting In Your Yard At All Costs

Ground covers serve a multitude of functions in the landscape. From filling bare spots and suppressing weeds, to controlling erosion and replacing turfgrass, ground covers are a significant boon to gardeners. That's why it's desirable to choose a ground cover that behaves itself. Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), the invasive vine to avoid growing, is decidedly not well-behaved. Initially introduced as an erosion-controlling ground cover, kudzu spiraled way out of control by spreading at the alarming rate of a foot a day and 60 feet in a season, with the help of tuberous roots weighing up to 300 pounds and extending 12 feet deep into the soil.

Along the way, it has engaged in such destructive behaviors as wiping out native plants, quashing agricultural production, killing trees with its massive weight, and essentially decimating all vegetation in its path by smothering plants and blocking sunlight. This pesky bully of the plant world may even affect air quality by emitting a chemical called isoprene, which can contribute to air pollution. Within kudzu's massive foliage may lie diseases and pests. Even gluttons for punishment would likely have a hard time growing kudzu if they wanted to because it is classified as a noxious weed in numerous states and thus can't be sold or intentionally spread in those places.

Instead of kudzu, consider the shade-loving ground cover that guards sloped yards from soil erosion—among other positive attributes. This ground cover is wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). This small shrub is a spreader, but not like kudzu is. Wintergreen spreads gradually into a colorful ground cover with bright red berries and lustrous, dark green leaves that take on a purple cast in the fall. Both leaves and berries exude wintergreen fragrance and flavor, and the berries, present from late summer to early winter, are even edible. Birds, deer, bears, and small mammals feed on the fruits. The plant produces small, white flowers, too, but they might not be especially noticeable. Wintergreen is beautiful in woodland settings and rock gardens and is among the evergreen ground covers known for stunning color all year round.

Ready to try wintergreen? Plant in acidic, well-drained soil rich with organic material. Wintergreen prefers partial to full shade. Spacing plants 10 to 14 inches apart will allow them to spread as ground covers. While aphids and thrips can be an issue for wintergreen, pest and disease problems are minimal overall. Wintergreen propagates via rhizomes and spreads horizontally across the soil surface, forming a colorful carpet in your landscape. Bottom line: Choose wintergreen, not kudzu.