Since they often grow rapidly and send out new shoots in all directions, vines can easily become invasive. One way to check and see if they will be problematic in your garden is to call your local extension service or nursery for information. While there are both herbaceous and woody vines, this will focus on the lianas, which are the species that become woody. This plant can be used as a houseplant where you can easily keep it in check. As long as you monitor growth, it can serve well as a groundcover in your shady spots. Algerian ivy could also be a good choice for landscapes near the beach since it can tolerate salt well. Another way to potentially manage this liana is through careful pruning. With proper care and attention, you can turn this into a more shrub-like plant. One way to distinguish Chinese wisteria from Japanese wisteria is by observing how the vines wrap around objects. Chinese wisteria will twine counter-clockwise, while Japanese wisteria goes clockwise. The Chinese wisteria spreads its seeds by flinging open pods and shooting out the seeds. The sound can be pretty loud. We almost always see English ivy in its vining (juvenile) form, but it can mature and take on a shrub form under the right conditions. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 13. The fruit can be toxic to people. However, you need to really like these features as this vine spreads throughout your whole yard and is difficult to remove completely. It can spread itself through rhizomes under the ground, runners above ground, and seeds. There are enough kudzu vines in the United States, so avoid planting this for any reason. If you have some, you can follow the sage “advice” as found on Floridata: “Mulch with cinder blocks, fertilize with Agent Orange, and prune daily.” Of course, you would not want to really use Agent Orange, but you will need to bring out the heavy artillery to eradicate this species. This vine is dioecious. Some plant it so they can use the colorful berries in dried arrangements. It can sometimes become a shrub. You will need to be very patient if you want to get rid of Oriental bittersweet. Once you have made sure that it is this species and not the native bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), cut and remove all of the vines. You will likely need several sessions of removal. Glyphosate will produce better results, but even that is not foolproof. The childhood rhyme to help avoid poison ivy is “Leaflets three, let them be. If it’s hairy, it’s a berry.” It has become problematic in eastern North America in zones 4 to 9, and you should call your local garden center or extension service before planting to assess how it will do in your area.
