I read about this shrub/tree and thought it would be good for a dry area near a driveway. It wouldn't interfere with my or anyone else's garden, lawn, or hedge. Many states seem to have classified it as a noxious weed and I wonder if it is considered an alien/noxious item here in BC. I read the question/answer from the person who dug up the suckers from a neighbour's tree and wonder if it would be alright in this isolated bit of ground. I certainly don't want to be the equivalent of the loosestrife introducer. Help!
Howdy Florence, It was thought that this will be a great plant for the dry Alberta south where the soil is saline and alkaline. Today it has run wild and considered a noxious weed. Birds eat the fruits and in the process help in scarifying the hard seeds before scattering them everywhere. Peace Thean
Thanks, Thean. It just doesn't sound like a good choice, does it? I've had photina fraserii suggested as a better one.
Russian olive and autumn olive are two different kinds. Neither I think will be likely to take over Burnaby. Both are large shrubs, Russian olive is often seen as a tree in the intermountain region. Not common in maritime districts but there are some. Fraser photinia, another large, space-consuming shrub IS very common here on the rainy side but is now being marred by leaf spot disease. A good (outer) coastal native shrub used for screening in this region is Pacific wax myrtle. Quickly grows large but upswept habit makes it somewhat less bulging. Deep green but glittery and perky in aspect.
