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Landscape Plants to Avoid and What to Use Instead

There are many popular plants that should be avoided. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Carol Reese talks about what some of those plants are and good plants you can replace them with.

There are several popular spring blooming trees that are problematic: Bradford pear trees break easily and are invasive. Native dogwoods also can be difficult to grow and are easy to kill. Ornamental cherries get cankers and bores and tend to die quickly. Some good replacements are dogwood hybrids. Native dogwoods have been crossed with the kousa (Japanese) dogwood. Stellar series dogwoods are a good choice. Another replacement choice would be fringe trees or deciduous magnolias, especially “Wada’s Memory.”

Shrubs that can cause problems are the Japanese holly and boxwood. They will suffer from root issues. Dwarf yaupon holly is a great replacement plant that is tough and has a small dense shape.

Purple Leaf Plums are popular but will get bores and die. They also readily sucker from the roots. Carol recommends Burgundy Loropetalum as a replacement. Some new varieties stay purple all year and can be pruned into a tree form.

Finally, Leyland Cypress trees are susceptible to the Seiridium canker. They can be replaced with green giant arborvitae and junipers.

Related Videos:
What are some trees like dogwood that can take full sun?
Why does my Japanese holly have dead branches?
Boxwood
My arborvitae is turning brown near the center

Related Resources:
Dogwood
Choosing landscape evergreens
Hydrangeas
Loropetalum
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  • Home
  • Watch
    • TV Schedule
    • Full Episodes Online
    • How-to and Informational
    • Questions and Answers
    • This Week in the Garden
    • Garden Notes
  • Garden Topic Collections
    • Apple Trees: How-to and Information
    • Peach Trees: How-to and Information
    • Tomatoes: How-to and Information
    • Square Foot Garden Blog
  • Resources
    • Soil Testing
    • Extension Publications
    • Gardening Resources
    • Blogs
    • Organic Gardening
    • Articles
    • Privacy
  • Guests
  • Contact Us
    • Ask a Gardening Gardening Question
  • Search