A vigorous ornamental plant that outcompetes its neighbors through rapid vegetative growth, aggressive root systems, or prolific self-seeding. Gardeners often plant these species for quick ground cover, only to find them dominating the entire bed and suffocating delicate specimens. Managing them requires constant pulling, root barriers, or aggressive division.
Heard on the job
Keep an eye on that mint before it turns into a total thug and takes over the entire herb spiral.
Insider tip
Experienced landscapers isolate known thugs like mint or bamboo in sunken containers to restrict their rhizomes.