Use alternatives in your landscape to avoid invasive plants
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009
Invasive species are taking over most of the countryside and thousands of dollars are being used every year to help control them or kill them. They fuel wild fires and invade other plants and kill them off.
Invasive plants can take over in grasslands, prairies, simple pastures and even on the roadsides where workers have to go out and control them. These plants can release thousands of tiny seeds that can produce other plants in other areas. Some of these invasive shrubs and plants can even be toxic to humans, wild animals and even live stock. To avoid adding to this mess, choose species of plants that non-invasive.
• Scotch Broom, Spanish Broom or Gorse: These are tiny yellow flowered plants and can reach up to 6 feet tall. Instead plant Oregon grape (Zones 4 and 7) or Forsythias (Zones 4-6) in place of these invasive species.
• Butterfly bush, Summer Lilac: These can be found along riverbanks, forested woodland areas and even on open waste areas. These are currently an issue in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and they can reach up to 10 feet tall. Instead plant Blue Blossom (Zones 4, 5 and 7) and Meyer Lila (Zones 2-5 and 7) in place of these invasive species.
• English Holly: These grow best along wetlands and coniferous forests where these are gaps. They can reach about 20 feet tall and the leaves are spiny and sharp. They have red berries at certain times of the year that attract birds and other insects that spread the seeds even more. The berries and the foliage are used at holiday time as well. Instead plant Wax myrtle (Zones 5-7) and Meserve Blue Holly (Zones 5-7) in place of this invasive species.
