Just because a plant is popular doesn't mean it's a good choice. Here are three shrubs and perennials that experts say don't belong in your garden. You will be surprised who is on the list.
I've been a garden owner for a few months and so that it will bloom beautifully in spring and summer, I'm already thinking about the garden design. Which perennials can I plant on the shady slope? Which ones fit in the sunny bed? And which shrubs can I use as a privacy screen?
When researching in the garden center and online, I often come across the same candidates. At the forefront when it comes to privacy: cherry laurel. Along with other laurel species, it is the absolute bestseller and dominates the gardens - not just in my neighborhood.
But it is precisely this popular shrub that has come under criticism. Because cherry laurel is one of the invasive species, more precisely the so-called neophytes.
Invasive neophytes are plant and animal species that are not native to the area and were introduced by humans. These “invaders” displace native plants because they often spread unchecked.
Cherry laurel has no longer been allowed to be sold in Switzerland since September 1, 2025.This ban does not apply in Germany. Nevertheless, like three other popular plants, you should not plant the cherry laurel in your garden from an ecological point of view. Read why here.
Cherry laurel is poisonous to humans and animals
Cherry laurel is by far the most popular shrub for privacy. To the chagrin of the animals that live in our gardens. The leaves and fruits of this invasive plant are poisonous.
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They therefore cannot serve as a source of food for insects and birds, which means that fewer of the useful creatures are found in the garden. Fortunately, there are useful privacy shrubs. We haveput together for you.
Butterfly lilac is not that good for butterflies
Although the beautiful ornamental shrub attracts butterflies in droves, it is not as insect-friendly as one might think. Although it serves as a food source for flying insects with its tasty nectar, butterflies and the like do not lay their eggs on the plant. This in turn harms biodiversity.
Another reasonnot to be planted in the garden: it is also an invasive species and displaces native plants due to its rapid growth. That's why, like the cherry laurel, it is no longer allowed to be sold in Switzerland.
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Multi-leaved lupins displace native plants
The beautiful lupins are also among the botanical invaders. Hobby gardeners are impressed by the plant from the USA with its brightly colored flowers because it is so robust and thrives even in the most barren soil.
But that is exactly the problem. Because lupins are able to bind nitrogen from the air to their roots. This makes the soil more fertile and it spreads rapidly. Lupins displace native plants that rely on poor soils. These include, for example, arnica or orchid.
In addition, lupins reproduce extremely quickly and very widely. A single plant has an average of around 60 flowers and these produce around 2,000 seeds, which it throws up to six meters away.
If you plant lupins in your garden, “your” lupins may soon spread into the neighboring gardens - or worse, into the outdoors around your property.
What should I do if I already have these plants in the garden?
The three plants presented can be found in many gardens. I also took over my garden with a huge cherry laurel hedge. Remove? Unthinkable!
The information does not mean that you banish what is already there. It's more about being more sensitive when it comes to buying plants in the future.
If you want to make your garden more animal-friendly and closer to nature, a simple tip can help: leave a small part of your garden to nature.
Wild, native plants attract insects, which in turn attract birds to the garden. Because what we consider to be unnecessary weeds is useful and valuable for nature.
If you would like to know more about insect-friendly and natural gardens, then take a look at my colleagues atLandidee.deover. There you will find tips and tricks on how you should create your garden to be in harmony with nature.
Do you want lush perennials in your garden that require little effort? Then these 8 robust beauties might be right for you:
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Lavender not only looks beautiful and is easy to care for, but its scent also keeps snails away.
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Lady's mantle can be planted as an easy-care ground cover that acts as a snail protection fence.
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Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial plant that grows wild in many parts of the world. It prefers sunny locations and is easy to care for.
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Mediterranean plants such as rosemary, thyme and sage need little water and thrive even in full sun. They also keep snails away.
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Maiden's eye thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Easy to care for due to its adaptability to various soil and climatic conditions.
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Sedum prefers sunny locations with well-drained soil. It has a high drought tolerance and low demands on soil quality.
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Catnip prefers sunny locations with well-drained soil. It rarely needs to be watered.
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Rosemary prefers sunny locations with well-drained soil. It is resistant to pests and requires little water.
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Columbines come in many unusual colors. It is one of the native perennials that are very easy to care for.
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Ground cover thyme is easy to care for and attracts insects.
Sources: Landidee.de, bund.net
