How to Eradicate Invasive Plants

May 1, 2013

Opportunistic and prolific, weeds can easily take over a garden or a lawn, leaving a frustrated gardener in their wake. Chace's (The Anxious Gardener's Book of Answers) new work on eradicating the aggressors is a good resource for the battle-weary gardener. Her introduction explains the difference between a plant characterized as invasive and those simply termed weeds. Weeds may affect the aesthetics of a designed garden, but invasives choke out native plants and threaten biodiversity. The plants included in the book, over 200, are "a problem somewhere," but the degree of damage they cause can vary. Chapters one and two give a broad introduction to invasive plants and controlling them in general. The bulk of the book is then divided into seven sections according to plant type; trees, vines, etc. Each section is organized alphabetically by the plant's Latin name and includes color photos. The author offers non- and less-toxic plant controls and encourages gardeners to save chemical control as a last result. She also includes a list of problem regions for certain plants since not all plants are challenges in every state. A list of recommended reading is also included. VERDICT Overall, this is an easy-to-use and accessible resource that many gardeners will find useful.--Lisa Ennis, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.