Be afraid, be very afraid. Herbicides won't phase it. But it looks rather nice. And it comes in white and purple. And it is a perennial that spreads underground by some of the most tenaceous roots you never want to try to dig up. And when you pull it, it comes back from the roots you leave behind. How do I dare pronounce that such a lovely plant isn't wanted? Because for over a decade I've been pulling it out of several rose beds. Season after season. Even Johnson Grass is less invasive. Morning glory- easy to control. Chickweed-dies in summer. Horsenettle will be in the bed that was originally the line of Graham Thomas Roses. It will probably still be there in 50 years. Oh, yes, one other thing. There's a potato beetle like critter whose larvae also look disgusting that will eat the leaves. But never you fear, the larvae don't eat the stems or fruit and the plant does rather well without leaves.

Moccasin landing, your gypsy rose is very pretty! I've just planted quite a few new hostas this year. Um, let's see if I can remember all of them. -Abiqua Drinking Gourd (from lowes, and I'm honestly not sure it's named right, going to give it another year and see if it looks more like it should). -Fried Green Tomatoes (local nursery) -Margarita Gold (local nursery) -Neptune (local nursery) -June (The Hosta Farm) -Blue Mouse Ears (THF) -Blue Mammoth (THF) -Broad Band (THF) -Striptease (THF) -Guacamole (THF) -Rare Breed (THF) I just saw one, maybe on this board, that I have to have. Snake Eyes. Looks amazing, I NEED!

"... given how successful it is around here". Invasive species are indeed successful because they are so adaptable and can outcompete natives. You have a bad infestation of European Privet. Not too far from me is a beautiful forrested watershed, the dominent understory is European Privet, choking out everything else. Now for your roses and bittersweet, are you sure they are not Asian weeds? Sam

The picture that says "are they phlox or something else?" looks a lot like Physostegia / Obedient plant to me. whoever buys my place will probably scalp the entire 26 garden beds i have nurtured for the past 12 years and put in hardscape or a pool. breaks my heart, but nothing i can do about it Roxanna, there are things you can do before you leave your gardens - you can open your gardens to gardening friends or neighbors for give-aways, donate plants to a local or charity plant sale, sell or give away on Craigslist or Freecycle. People will even come and dig stuff up for you. Better than those lovely plants being scalped!