Every October, there's one shrub in neighborhoods all over America that absolutely shows off. It's also making a run for the woods.
It's burning bush, and honestly, I get it. That color is ridiculous.
Problem is, burning bush never really accepted the whole "stay in the yard" arrangement. Birds eat the berries, fly off, and plant it in nearby woods. Before long, you've got dense patches of the stuff shading out wildflowers and crowding out young trees. Deer won't eat it. It handles shade a little too well. Once it gets comfortable, it can become a real pain.
That's why it's invasive across much of the eastern U.S. and several states have banned new sales altogether.
Red chokeberry goes that same screaming scarlet in fall and feeds birds while it's at it. Virginia sweetspire turns wine-red and puts on a show of white flowers in spring. Same drama with a bit less ecological crime.