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udzu is native to Japan and China, however it grows well in the Southeastern United States. Kudzu is a vine that when left uncontrolled will eventually grow over almost any fixed object in its proximity including other vegetation. Kudzu, over a period of several years will kill trees by blocking the sunlight. For this and other reasons many would like to find ways to get rid of it although little has been done to control its spread. The flowers which bloom in late summer have a very pleasant fragrance and the shapes and forms created by kudzu vines growing over trees and bushes can be pleasing to the eye.
The following statement appeared in an agricultural bulletin in 1928, about 20 years after it was first introduced in Florida as a forage crop. "Kudzu is not without disadvantages. It is slow and expensive in getting established, is exacting in requiring only moderate grazing and mowing, is deceptive about its real yield, especially to those who do not know it well, and sometimes becomes a pest."
In the south where the winters are moderate the first frost will turn kudzu into dead leaves and soon after just gray vines. The kudzu vine will continue growing the next summer almost from where it was stopped by cold weather the previous year. These vines will cover buildings and parked vehicles over a period of years if no attempt is made to control its growth. A number of abandoned houses, vehicles and barns covered with kudzu can be seen in Georgia and other southern states. Many of the photos of kudzu shown on this web site were taken in the vicinity of Dahlonega, Georgia, a delightful historic town in the mountains of North Georgia best known as the site of the first major gold rush in the U.S. in 1828.
Houses
This abandoned cabin is tucked back in the woods and even though it is visible from the highway it is hardly noticeable. There are many such houses which lie in the path of the ever spreading kudzu vine. More Kudzu Covered Houses
Barns Kudzu covered abandoned barns, garages and chicken houses are much more numerous around the south than the houses shown above. When there is little incentive to keep the kudzu at bay it only takes two or three years of kudzu growth to at least partially cover the structures. More Kudzu Covered Barns
Urban Kudzu Kudzu has also invaded urban areas in the south and Atlanta is no exception. Although there is much concrete and pavement there is still room of kudzu to grow. This is a parking lot on a major street in uptown Atlanta. More Kudzu in Atlanta.
Vehicles There are two trailer tractors hidden under the kudzu vines at the left. To see photos of these vehicles in the winter when their shapes are more discernible and to see other equipment click on the link below. More Kudzu Covered Equipment & Vehicles
Tree
Sculptures
The scene to the left of tree sculptures formed by kudzu vines is a common site along the highways in North Georgia and other southern states. In many locations the kudzu was planted to stop erosion on the banks of the highway. If allowed to grow unchecked the kudzu spreads to cover trees and nearby fields over a period of several years. More Tree Sculptures
Signs Because of the rapid growth of kudzu, signs along the highways in the south sometime become covered in late summer. For more signs and other covered objects such as mail boxes, click on more signs.
Kudzu Flowers In late summer kudzu blossoms begin to emit their pleasant sweet smell which can be detected hundreds of feet from the vines. These flowers vary in color but most are the color of the flower shown at the left. Initially the flowers are usually hidden under the kudzu leaves but later they become so prolific that they can be seen readily. The flowers can be used to make jelly and other tasty dishes. As the flowers age seed pods begin to form. More Flowers
Chimneys Chimneys left from burned out houses can be seen throughout the U.S. Abandoned fields in the south often are covered in kudzu and thus the chimney and kudzu combination testify not only to the misfortune of others but in part to the slowly vanishing southern small farms and rural life style. More Chimneys
