Good Plant, Bad Plant

One cannot help but notice that many yards are being converted to being more water wise. While this is smart, good and necessary, I have noticed three practices that concern me:

Planting a very invasive “ornamental” grass: Mexican feather grass gets out of control in a very short time. It invades cracks in sidewalks and neighbor’s yards, and then takes over the intended yard. Unfortunately this is not the only invasive species that is being used.

The dramatic increase in palms: They are not very bird or bee friendly. The ones being planted in the narrow strip between the sidewalk and road are hard for sidewalk users to navigate.

Inappropriate species planted in sidewalk strips: Wide and short plants that grow onto and over the sidewalk, including palms, trees, shrubs, and cacti, make it difficult to navigate around and under the foliage especially when two or more folks are passing one another.

Just because it looks good in a picture doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for the space. Do your homework. A landscaper or gardener’s suggestion doesn’t mean the plant is good or problem free.