If you’ve ever tried to remove buckthorn, you know it's a stubborn battle. There’s even an entire group of singles, looking to meet potential partners by removing buckthorn together.

Elsewhere, homeowners, forest managers and volunteers spend countless dollars and hours cutting and spraying the invasive shrub, only to watch it grow right back.

University of Minnesota researchers recently published new data that shows there's a better long-term strategy. They found that planting native grasses and wildflowers immediately after removing buckthorn is remarkably effective at keeping it at bay. Mike Schuster is on the research team and joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to explain.