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Invasive Plants

© Murdo Morrison

Many plants in use by gardeners can be considered 'invasive species'. The term invasive describes the ability of these plants to spread rapidly and become dominant over native species. This article will identify some of the more common invasive plants used by gardeners and suggest native alternatives.

Some common examples of invasive plants include purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), burning bush (Euonymus alatus), Norway maple Acer platanoides), privet (ligustrum spp.), periwinkle (Vinca minor), Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and English ivy (Hedera helix).

Why should we be concerned about invasive plants when many of them appear to offer decorative solutions for problem areas? These plants are generally not native and are introduced to areas outside of their natural ecosystems. In many cases this means that the natural controls that would keep them in check are lacking. Where they are introduced, invasive plants can overrun the native species and disrupt the local ecosystem.

The following examples will provide a selection of species considered invasive and suggest native plant alternatives. These examples are for the Middle Atlantic states.

Non-Native Trees

Invasive Species: Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima), Empress Tree, Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa),

Native Alternatives: White oak (Quercus Alba), northern or southern red oak (Q. rubra, Q. falcata), Tupelo (Nyssa, sylvatica), serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), fringetree (Clonanthus virginicus), black haw (Viburnum prunifolium). Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia).

Non-Native Shrubs

Invasive Species: Multiflora rose ((Rosa multiflora), Bush Honeysuckles (Lonicera spp), Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica), Privet (Ligustrum), Burning Bush ((Euonymus alatus), Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii).

Native Alternatives: Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus), Maple-leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), wild hydrangea (Hydramgea arborescens), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), lowbush blueberry (V. vacillans).

Non-Native Vines

Invasive Species: Kudzu (Pueraria lobata), Japanese honeysuckle ((Lonicera japonica), Chinese and Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria Sinensis, W. floribunda), Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), Porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipenduculata), English ivy (Hedera helix), Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), Periwinkle (Vinca minor).

Native Alternatives: American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), Native wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinqefolia). The last two are also aggressive growers.

Non-Native Ground Covers

Invasive Species: Crown vetch (Coronilla varia), creeping bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), Mints (Mentha), Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Indian strawberry (Duchesnea indica).

Native Alternatives: Golden ragwort (Senecio aureus), Moss phlox (Phlox subulata), Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens), wild ginger (Asarum canadense).

Non-Native Wetland Plants

Invasive Species: Common reed (Phragmites australis), Giant reed (Arundo donax), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria, L. virgatum), lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria).

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