Surprise Plants

See this pretty little plant? Don't let it fool you. This is Japanese Honeysuckle and it is very invasive. It has pretty flowers that smell good, and produces purple berries that birds like to eat. Birds also spread the seeds, which is probably how I had this start in my yard. I found it a few years ago under my full-sized Valencia orange tree. I pulled it out, but didn't keep after it. It grew again from the root part that was left in. I tend to forget about it, then pull it out, then get busy with other things. Today I want out and pulled it all out. It was growing vigorously and engulfing other plants. I know this is not the end of it, but I will keep after it this time.

I am not the only one that likes to let surprise plants grow to see what they are--Julie in Australia had a fun one, too. I think her Moth Vine may be worse than my Japanese honeysuckle, though. Be careful what surprise plants you leave to grow, Google it to see if it is really something you want in your yard!