If you asked me a month ago, “what is your favorite vine,” I would have said, “The Porcelain Berry.” I planted this beautiful vine 3 years ago. For the first two years it was a modest climber, in a place where I wanted a vigorous climber so all was going well. This year it became a vigorous climber–still okay with me. That is UNTIL I mentioned my beautiful vine on #GardenChat. Several Chatters chimed in that this is a very invasive plant and one to be avoided!

What? My pretty vine? Seriously? I bought it at a local garden center!

So, I did what all responsible gardeners would do, I investigated. And read some very scary stuff….

Invasive Porcelain Berry is Swallowing up Cape May

Ecological Threat!

Porcelain-berry is a vigorous invader of open and wooded habitats. It grows and spreads quickly in areas with high to moderate light. As it spreads, it climbs over shrubs and other vegetation, shading out native plants and consuming habitat.

Porcelain-berry is a vigorous invader of open and wooded habitats.

One blogger said that the plant takes about 3 years to get up to speed. Well, that is exactly where we are and where our relationship will end. Yes, sometimes it is best to say goodbye.

I still want a vigorous vine, but one that is not an Ecological Threat! What vine would you recommend to climb up and over my pergola?

Here is the Porcelain Berry’s Swan Song….