Plants

Most gardens are a mix of native and non-native flowers and grasses. Native plants have adapted over thousands of years to thrive in a specific ecosystem or habitat. A habitat is defined by temperature, soil conditions and moisture levels as well as by the presence of other native plants, animals and, yes, even pests, all of which have evolved together over time. This diversity keeps the system in balance so that no one species becomes invasive within its own habitat. A native habitat is not determined by state lines or national borders, but by natural boundaries like mountains or bodies of water.

Many non-native plants have been brought to the United States for ornamental use, as crops for us – think of tomatoes and corn – and feed for livestock and to prevent erosion. They have not posed a threat to our environment.

But many other non-natives have spread from their original plantings and put down roots in natural areas where they were not intended. These are the invasives. Like an alien in a science-fiction movie, an invasive plant is a non-native species – from Europe, Asia, or even another region of North America – that establishes itself in a habitat where it does not naturally occur, reproduces vigorously without any help and threatens native plants by usurping the available water, light, nutrients and growing space. Invasives can eventually replace our native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers –  and rob wildlife of food and shelter.

Invasive species cannot be contained by a backyard fence, a road, or the property line of a botanic garden. Birds, wind and water carry seeds of these plants far from where they were planted. A simple way to prevent further spread of invasive species is to avoid planting them.

Click here to download information on native plants.

Click here to see what you can do.