"Wisteria Hysteria"

According to this article from USA Today, Japanese and Chinese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda and W. sinensis) may be on their way to becoming the next kudzu. These beautiful ornamental vines are commonly planted to climb along roofs or arbors. Unfortunately, after a year of abundant rains, residents in Georgia and other parts of the southeastern U.S. are finding that the plants are growing out of control. Several plants have been found naturalizing along surface roads and freeways, and the species have turned out to be difficult to eradicate once plants are firmly established.