Some shrubs look completely harmless when you see them at the nursery. They’re compact, tidy, and often labeled as fast-growing or great for privacy – which sounds like a win for most homeowners.
But fast forward a few years, and that “easy” shrub can turn into a full-blown takeover.
Instead of filling in nicely, it starts spreading beyond where you planted it, popping up in flower beds, lawns, and even neighboring yards.
Many aggressive shrubs spread through underground runners, root suckers, heavy self-seeding, or berries that birds carry everywhere.
Once established, they can be surprisingly hard to control and even harder to remove completely.
1. Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
The burning bush is known for its vibrant red fall foliage. However, its aggressive nature makes it a threat to native ecosystems. Birds spread its seeds, allowing it to invade forests and fields.
This deciduous shrub can reach 15-20 feet in height. Its distinctive corky wings along the stems make it easy to identify. In fall, its leaves turn a brilliant red.
To manage burning bush:
- Remove seedlings by hand
- Cut larger plants to the ground and treat stumps with herbicide
- Replace with native alternatives like Viburnum or Fothergilla
2. Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Japanese barberry is a thorny shrub that forms dense stands in forests. It alters soil chemistry and can increase tick populations. Its berries are spread by birds and small mammals.
This shrub grows 3-6 feet tall with small, oval leaves. It produces tiny yellow flowers in spring, followed by bright red berries. Its thorny branches make it difficult to remove.
Control methods:
- Pull small plants by hand (wear thick gloves)
- Cut larger shrubs and treat stumps with herbicide
- Prescribed burning can be effective in some areas
3. Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Autumn olive is a nitrogen-fixing shrub that can thrive in poor soils. It outcompetes native plants and alters ecosystem dynamics. Birds readily spread its abundant fruit.
This shrub can grow up to 20 feet tall. Its leaves are silvery-green, and it produces fragrant yellow flowers in spring. The red berries ripen in fall and persist into winter.
4. Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
Russian olive is a fast-growing problem that can quickly spiral out of control in your garden. This hardy shrub adapts well to various soil conditions, making it difficult to eradicate once established.
Its silvery-gray foliage may seem attractive, but don’t be fooled. Russian olive’s rapid growth rate means you’ll need to prune it frequently to maintain its shape and size.
This plant also produces numerous suckers, which can pop up far from the original shrub. You’ll find yourself constantly battling these new shoots to prevent them from spreading throughout your yard.
Wildlife may enjoy its olive-like fruits, but these can also contribute to its invasive nature. Birds spread the seeds, potentially introducing Russian olive to natural areas where it can outcompete native species.
5. Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
Once sold as a “living fence,” multiflora rose is now one of the most regretted shrubs in America.
It spreads by seed and by rooting where canes touch the ground, forming thorny thickets that are extremely difficult to remove.
6. Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense)
Chinese privet is a semi-evergreen shrub that forms dense thickets in forests. It shades out native understory plants and alters habitat structure. Birds spread its prolific berries.
This shrub can grow up to 20 feet tall. Its leaves are small and oval, staying green through mild winters. Fragrant white flowers appear in late spring, followed by dark blue berries.
7. Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
This fast-growing shrub leafs out earlier than most native plants, shading everything underneath. It spreads aggressively by seed and can quickly dominate landscapes across the Midwest and Eastern U.S.
8. Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)
Tartarian honeysuckle is a fast-growing shrub that forms dense thickets. It leafs out early in spring, shading native plants. Birds spread its berries, allowing it to invade new areas quickly.
This shrub can reach 10-15 feet in height. It produces pink or white flowers in spring, followed by red or orange berries. The leaves are oval and arranged oppositely on the stems.
9. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
While butterfly bush attracts pollinators with its fragrant flowers, it can quickly become a garden bully. This fast-growing shrub can reach heights of 10-12 feet in a single season if left unchecked.
You’ll need to deadhead spent blooms regularly to prevent self-seeding. Without this constant attention, butterfly bush can spread aggressively, potentially escaping into natural areas.
Annual hard pruning is necessary to maintain its shape and encourage fuller growth. Without this, the shrub can become leggy and unattractive.
In some regions, butterfly bush is considered invasive due to its ability to outcompete native plants. Be sure to check local regulations before planting, as it may be restricted in your area.
10. Japanese Spirea (Spiraea japonica)
Pretty and compact at first, Japanese spirea can reseed heavily and spread into surrounding areas. In some parts of the country, it’s considered invasive because of how easily it escapes cultivation.
11. Nandina (Nandina domestica)
Also called heavenly bamboo, nandina spreads by both rhizomes and berries.
In warmer regions, it forms dense colonies over time.
Some varieties also produce berries that are toxic to birds, making it a controversial landscape plant.
12. Sumac (Rhus species)
Many native sumacs are beautiful and beneficial — but they spread fast through underground suckers. Staghorn sumac, in particular, can form large colonies that creep far beyond where you planted it.
13. Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
Snowberry is a native shrub with charming white berries, but it spreads rapidly by underground runners. It works in wild or naturalized areas but can easily take over small garden beds.
14. Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)
Closely related to snowberry, coralberry spreads the same way — sending up shoots from spreading roots. It’s great for wildlife gardens but can feel aggressive in tidy suburban landscapes.
15. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
A fast-growing native shrub popular in the Southeast, wax myrtle spreads by suckers and can form dense colonies. It’s excellent for screening — but often too aggressive for smaller yards.
16. Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
This bright yellow bloomer looks cheerful but spreads rapidly by seed. It thrives in poor soils and quickly dominates open landscapes, especially in coastal and western regions.
17. Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Similar to Scotch broom but even more aggressive, gorse forms dense, thorny thickets that are extremely difficult to remove.
Once established, it spreads quickly and crowds out everything nearby.
18. English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
English laurel might seem like an ideal choice for hedges or privacy screens, but its vigorous growth can quickly become overwhelming. This evergreen shrub can grow up to 2 feet per year, requiring regular pruning to keep it in bounds.
Its dense foliage provides excellent coverage, but it also means less light reaches the interior branches. This can lead to bare, unsightly patches if not properly maintained.
English laurel’s leaves and berries contain hydrogen cyanide, making them toxic if ingested. This poses a risk to pets and children who might be tempted by the cherry-like fruits.
The plant’s extensive root system can damage nearby structures and compete with other plants for nutrients and water. You’ll need to be vigilant about controlling its spread to protect the rest of your garden.
19. Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana and relatives)
Native cherry laurels are attractive evergreen shrubs, but they grow fast and spread easily in warm climates.
Birds distribute the seeds, so new plants often pop up far from the original planting.
20. Bamboo (Shrub-like varieties included)
While technically a grass, many gardeners treat bamboo like a shrub.
Running types spread aggressively underground and can invade lawns, beds, and even neighboring yards if not contained.
Quick Comparison: Why These Shrubs Spread So Fast
| Shrub | Main Spread Method | Spread Speed | Control Difficulty | Where It’s Worst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burning Bush | Birds spread seeds | Medium–Fast | Medium | Midwest, Northeast |
| Japanese Barberry | Seeds + root spread | Fast | Hard (thorny) | Northeast, Mid-Atlantic |
| Autumn Olive | Heavy berry production | Fast | Hard | Nationwide |
| Russian Olive | Seeds + drought tolerance | Fast | Hard | Plains, West |
| Multiflora Rose | Seeds + rooting canes | Fast | Very Hard (thorny) | Midwest, South |
| Chinese Privet | Bird-dropped berries | Very Fast | Hard | Southeast |
| Amur Honeysuckle | Early leaf-out + seeds | Fast | Hard | Midwest, East |
| Tatarian Honeysuckle | Bird-dispersed berries | Medium–Fast | Medium | Northern states |
| Butterfly Bush | Self-seeding | Medium | Easy–Medium | Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic |
| Japanese Spirea | Reseeding | Medium | Easy–Medium | Northeast, Midwest |
| Nandina | Berries + rhizomes | Medium–Fast | Medium | South, Southeast |
| Sumac | Underground suckers | Fast | Medium | Nationwide |
| Snowberry | Underground runners | Medium | Medium | Northern U.S. |
| Coralberry | Root spread | Medium | Medium | Midwest, South |
| Wax Myrtle | Suckers | Medium–Fast | Medium | Southeast |
| Scotch Broom | Massive seed spread | Very Fast | Hard | West Coast |
| Gorse | Seeds + dense thickets | Very Fast | Very Hard (thorny) | Coastal regions |
| English Laurel | Seeds + root shoots | Fast | Medium–Hard | West Coast, Southeast |
| Cherry Laurel | Bird-dropped seeds | Medium–Fast | Medium | Southeast |
| Bamboo | Underground runners | Extremely Fast | Very Hard | Nationwide |
Safer Alternatives That Won’t Take Over Your Yard
If you love the look of fast-growing shrubs but want fewer headaches, try these better-behaved options:
- Viburnum varieties – Great for privacy and seasonal interest without aggressive spreading
- Fothergilla – Beautiful fall color similar to burning bush, but non-invasive
- Oakleaf hydrangea – Native, showy, and well-behaved in most landscapes
- Inkberry holly – A tidy evergreen alternative to invasive privets
- Ninebark (Physocarpus) – Tough, colorful foliage with manageable growth
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) – Excellent native shrub for pollinators and wet areas
When in doubt, look for native shrubs or sterile cultivars. You’ll get the beauty without the long-term battle.
Before You Plant Fast-Growing Shrubs…
If a plant is labeled fast-growing, low-maintenance, or great for privacy, take a closer look first.
Many problem shrubs spread through:
- Underground runners
- Aggressive suckers
- Heavy self-seeding
- Bird-dispersed berries
A little research now can save you years of pruning, digging, and regret later.
