
Gardening can be a rewarding hobby, but choosing the right plants is crucial for a thriving landscape. While many shrubs enhance your outdoor space, some can quickly become a nuisance. Certain spreading shrubs, if left unchecked, can overtake your garden, crowding out other plants and requiring extensive maintenance.
You might be tempted by their lush foliage or pretty flowers, but these aggressive growers can cause more headaches than joy. From invasive species to high-maintenance varieties, it’s essential to know which shrubs to avoid before you start planting.
Let’s explore 13 spreading shrubs you don’t want to plant in your garden. By steering clear of these problematic plants, you’ll save yourself time, effort, and frustration in the long run.
Remember, a well-planned garden starts with choosing the right plants for your space and lifestyle.
Invasive Or Aggressive Spreaders
These plants can quickly take over your garden, outcompeting native species and causing ecological harm. They spread rapidly through various means, making them challenging to control once established.
1. Privet (Ligustrum Spp.)

Privet is a fast-growing shrub that can form dense thickets. Its berries are spread by birds, allowing it to colonize new areas rapidly. You’ll often find it escaping cultivation and invading natural areas.
Privets can grow up to 15 feet tall and wide. Their oval leaves are evergreen or semi-evergreen, depending on the species. Small white flowers appear in late spring, followed by dark blue-black berries.
To control privet:
- Cut it back to the ground
- Apply herbicide to the freshly cut stumps
- Pull out young plants by hand, ensuring you remove all roots
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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.
To manage autumn olive:
- Cut shrubs and treat stumps with herbicide
- Prescribed burning can be effective for large infestations
- Goats can be used for biological control in some areas
5. Multiflora Rose (Rosa Multiflora)

Multiflora rose forms impenetrable thickets that crowd out native vegetation. It spreads by seed and by rooting where canes touch the ground. Originally introduced for erosion control, it’s now a major pest.
This thorny shrub can climb up to 15 feet high. It produces clusters of small white flowers in spring, followed by abundant red rose hips. The arching canes root easily where they touch soil.
Control strategies:
- Repeated mowing or cutting can weaken plants
- Herbicide application on cut stumps or foliage
- Biological control using rose rosette disease (in some areas)
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.
To control Chinese privet:
- Hand-pull young plants, ensuring all roots are removed
- Cut larger shrubs and treat stumps with herbicide
- Foliar herbicide application can be effective for dense stands
7. Tartarian 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.
Management techniques:
- Pull young plants by hand, removing all roots
- Cut larger shrubs and treat stumps with herbicide
- Prescribed burning can be effective in some habitats
High Maintenance Or Hard To Control
Some shrubs can quickly become a gardener’s nightmare due to their aggressive growth habits or demanding care requirements. These plants often require constant attention to keep them in check and prevent them from overtaking your garden.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Japanese Spirea (Spiraea japonica)

Japanese spirea’s colorful foliage and pretty flowers make it an attractive option, but its maintenance needs can be demanding. This shrub spreads through underground runners, forming dense thickets if not controlled.
Regular pruning is essential to keep Japanese spirea compact and encourage repeat blooming. Without this attention, it can quickly become overgrown and lose its ornamental value.
The plant’s shallow root system makes it prone to drought stress, requiring consistent watering during dry spells. You’ll need to monitor soil moisture carefully to keep it healthy.
Japanese spirea can self-seed prolifically, leading to unwanted spread throughout your garden. Be prepared to remove seedlings regularly to prevent it from taking over.
12. Nandina (Nandina domestic)

Nandina, also known as heavenly bamboo, might seem like a low-maintenance option, but it can become a handful in the right conditions. This evergreen shrub spreads through underground rhizomes, forming dense colonies over time.
Its berries, while attractive, are toxic to birds and can be harmful if ingested by pets or children. You’ll need to remove the berries before they ripen to prevent wildlife from spreading them.
In warmer climates, nandina can become invasive, outcompeting native plants in natural areas. Regular pruning is necessary to control its spread and maintain a tidy appearance.
The plant’s foliage can suffer winter burn in colder regions, requiring additional care and protection during harsh weather. You may need to provide shelter or replace damaged plants each spring.
Shrubs With Fast-Forming Suckers
Some shrubs spread aggressively through suckers, making them challenging to control in gardens. These plants can quickly overtake spaces and compete with other vegetation.
13. Sumac (Rhus Spp.)

Sumac species are known for their rapid spread through underground suckers. These shrubs can form dense thickets in a short time, making them both a blessing and a curse for gardeners.
Rhus typhina, commonly known as staghorn sumac, is particularly vigorous. Its fuzzy branches and vibrant fall colors are attractive, but be cautious when planting.
You’ll often see sumac colonizing disturbed areas or along roadsides. In your garden, it can quickly escape its intended boundaries.
To control sumac:
- Dig out the entire root system
- Cut stems to the ground and immediately apply herbicide
- Install root barriers around desired plants
Sumac does have some benefits. It’s drought-tolerant and provides food for wildlife. The berries can even be used to make a tart, lemonade-like drink.
However, its aggressive nature often outweighs these positives for most gardeners. Think carefully before introducing sumac to your landscape.