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The Major Downside Of Planting This Perennial Shrub In Your Garden
By KATE NICHOLSON
In the Pacific Northwest and California, gardeners battle the invasive Himalayan blackberry, a fast-growing, tall, and thorny shrub that poses a serious threat to local ecosystems.
Introduced to the U.S. in 1885, the Himalayan blackberry is known for its tasty berries but inflicts harm by crowding out native flora and fauna and even disrupting soil integrity.
Himalayan blackberries grow rapidly, forming impenetrable thickets that shade out other plants, restrict access to water, and increase the risk of soil erosion and wildfires.
Anything planted around the shrub will quickly get crowded and shaded out by the sprawling canes overground and by its rapidly replicating rhizomatic root system underground.
Removing the invasive plant requires a multi-faceted approach, including cutting the canes, digging out the roots, and applying pesticides. Gardeners should wear protective gear.