The Dirty Half-Dozen

While persistence is a quality we look for and appreciate in our choice ornamentals, it is also a quality that exists in many invasive plants that creep into our landscapes. Paul James, host of Gardening by the Yard, takes a look at some of the peskiest plants. These guys can withstand a wide range of weather conditions and other hazards, including noxious pests and diseases that normally kill most plants. So keep an eye out for them in your garden--you might be sorry if they gain a foothold.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata). It's no surprise that this creeping eastern Asian vine tops the list of pest plants. Imported to the U.S. decades ago to help control erosion, kudzu has since taken over thousands of acres, covering barns, fences and virtually everything else in its path. This pest plant is confined mostly to the southern U.S. and isn't considered a nuisance in other areas.

Here's one last pest plant that pops up far too often in James' yard: oak seedlings. When fallen acorns decide to take root in flower beds, you may have a small forest on your hands before you know it. Unfortunately, the best way to remove the plants is to pull them up--one by one.