I've been wanting to plant Caragana for its good properties such as N fixation and production of livestock feed, but have been nervous about doing so after reading accounts of its invasiveness in a number of North American locations. I had one in southern Ontario years ago and it was perfectly well behaved. But there are real winters there (or at least there were at the time I lived there) and I'm not sure how it acts in the milder conditions of southern BC. One of the vendors I have been ordering trees from has a warning that Caragana may be difficult to contain 'in warmer climates'. I don't know what they mean by 'warmer climates'...is that warmer winters (which we have) or hot in summer (no, only rarely), or what?
Several things I read suggested it was only invasive on wet ground - we have some very soggy areas year-round in the lower part of the property so that immediately sent up a red flag. I really REALLY don't want to deliberately plant something here that will be as much of a pain as Scotch broom or Himalayan blackberry or gorse, which presumably all were planted by some well-meaning person(s).
So is it good or bad? Anyone have experience growing it in the PNW and better yet, southern coastal BC?
Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
I am not sure what you mean with invasive here. Are you worried to introduce a non-native plant to your garden or are you worried the plant will take over a lot of your garden aka. weed potential?
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I am worried that it will reseed in an uncontrollable manner. We already have examples of Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, gorse, etc, taking over the landscape here. I just want to find out whether caragana, which seems to have a mixed reputation elsewhere, has a known history as a thug in this region before making a decision whether to plant it.
Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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