Space Invaders (A Lesson in Invasive Plants)
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| Photo Credit: Sarracenia.com |
| There aren’t many ponds or lakes that water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) wouldn’t like to take over. |
Perhaps you’ve come across the phrase “invasive species” in the newspapers, on a sign at a nature preserve or maybe in a glossy booklet produced by a conservation group. But what do these words really mean – especially to you as a gardener?
Not everyone agrees on the term’s exact definition, but basically an invasive species is one that rapidly reproduces and takes over more and more space. For a gardener looking for a nice groundcover, a plant that’s a little invasive can sometimes be a good thing. But plants that spread too rapidly can become a gardener’s worst nightmare because they cause so much work to keep in check. In fact, battles between gardeners and their most detested problem plants can reach epic proportions! | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Sarracenia.com | | Image Caption Avoid purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) – it invades wet areas. |
But the invasive species you hear environ- mentalists talking about are a little different. These are non-native plants introduced by people to natural areas – forests, deserts, rivers and so on. Most introduced plants perish after a year or two, like house pets abandoned in the wild. But a few species – a very few – grow and grow so rapidly, they start to crowd out the native plants. The natural area, previously home to a diversity of plant species, can become overrun by one invader.
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| Facts |
- Fortunately, avoiding invasive species doesn’t limit your gardening choices very much. A 1998 survey regarding all the troublesome invasive plants in the US turned up only about 270 species. This is a tiny list compared with all the plants in cultivation in the US!
- Due to the damage invasive species can cause, professional horticulturists are developing “Voluntary Codes of Conduct” to decrease the chances of more invasive species being introduced by gardening. (If enough nurseries start following these voluntary codes, the government is less likely to wade in with its own regulations.)
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| Resources |
- Want to learn more about a particular invasive species? Check out the USDA’s National Invasive Species Information Center Website. You can also find out if your state lists any plants as noxious weeds.
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Page 1 of 3
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Next Steps
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Weed Management: Part 1
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Enhance Your Garden With Native Plants
Gardening with native plants is easy and rewarding. Site selection and plant selection are key factors in getting started.
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Easy Invasive-Plant Management
You could be harboring some plant felons in your garden and not even know it. These non-native ornamentals may look beautiful, but they can cause serious problems when they escape from cultivation. Take these seven easy steps to make sure your garden stays free of these noxious invaders.
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