Go native, not invasive Native plants can support life cycles of important pollinators and wildlife
Longer days and warming temperatures of early spring turn our thoughts to creating or renovating our landscapes. If you are contemplating either activity, consider purchasing plant species native to Western Pennsylvania.
Natives have evolved to grow in our existing soils and weather conditions, are easier to care for and may be more disease and stress tolerant. Additionally, native plants can support the life cycles of important pollinators and wildlife.
Planting non-native ground covers, herbaceous perennials, shrubs or trees does not typically yield similar wildlife or pollinator values. In addition, some species' growth can be invasive, making them difficult to control as they spread to neighbors' yards and beyond.
Penn State University defines an invasive plant as one that grows aggressively, spreads and displaces other plants in an ecosystem (such as one's yard or property). Under certain conditions, invasive plants can become the dominant species and alter natural habitats.
Many of us have seen stands of Norway maple, forsythia, English ivy and oriental bittersweet in surprising places during our travels throughout Pennsylvania. These plants often originated in home gardens and spread into other habitats. Managing or removing invasive species can be expensive and time consuming.Substituting native species for invasive species can provide the same desired design outcome in our landscapes. Whether we wish to plant ground cover or use trees and shrubs for privacy screening, native plants are a logical choice.More native plant species are available in garden centers. Professional landscapers are embracing native plant species as the native plant movement gains in popularity.Here are a few suggestions for substituting native ground covers, perennials, shrubs and trees for invasive ones.English ivy (Hedera helix) often is found as an evergreen ground cover. The same evergreen effect can be achieved by planting wild ginger (Asarum canadense), with the added benefit of supporting insect pollinators. Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a wonderful substitute for another invasive vine, Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Your reward will be visits from hummingbirds and butterflies when flowering and birds feasting on the fruit.The bright, showy flowers of the orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) can be difficult to manage. The orange daylily is often seen along roadsides and ditches, where it has invaded from original garden plantings. Replace orange daylilies with Canada lily (Lilium canadense) or wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum), both of which have showy orange flowers and support pollinators, including bees, butterflies and birds.Replacing Japanese spirea (Spirea japonica) with steeplebush (Spirea tomentosa) or ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) has the benefit of attracting pollinators. Ninebark also has exfoliating bark that provides winter interest.
The beautiful fall color of burning bush (Euonymus alatus) can be replaced with highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), with the added benefit of edible fruit.The native red maple (Acer rubra) is an excellent substitute for Norway maple (Acer platanoides). Bradford pear/Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), the flowering tree with somewhat malodorous but showy white flowers, is often found in many business parks and home landscapes. Consider replacing this species with flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida) or serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.). Both of these native species contribute showy white spring flowers and fall color to the landscape while attracting pollinators and birds.Landscapers and homeowners might be confused on which native plants to substitute for commonly sold invasive ones. The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society lists a number of native substitutions for invasive plants: www.panativeplantsociety.org/uploads/1/7/8/2/17829397/invasiveplant_handout.pdf.Call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 229, with questions about native and invasive plant species and other gardening practices.Mary Alice Koeneke is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Butler County.
