INVASIVE PLANT ALTERNATIVES
Introduction
Invasive plants are non-native species that threaten Ohio’s natural areas by altering the native biodiversity found in our forests, savannas, grasslands, prairies, and wetlands. Invasive plants and habitat destruction are the greatest threats to
natural areas. We can all help minimize the impact of invasive plants by removing these species when they occur in our landscaping or surrounding habitat. Invasive plants, by nature, do not stay where they were planted, moving by seed and/or by vegetative means to surrounding natural areas. Control and removal of invasive plants in natural areas is a huge challenge for both private landowners and public land managers. Restoration may include replanting native species, or in many cases, the native species will re-establish once the invasives are removed.
Invasive plants are non-native species that threaten Ohio’s natural areas by altering the native biodiversity found in our forests, savannas, grasslands, prairies, and wetlands. Invasive plants and habitat destruction are the greatest threats to
natural areas. We can all help minimize the impact of invasive plants by removing these species when they occur in our landscaping or surrounding habitat. Invasive plants, by nature, do not stay where they were planted, moving by seed and/or by vegetative means to surrounding natural areas. Control and removal of invasive plants in natural areas is a huge challenge for both private landowners and public land managers. Restoration may include replanting native species, or in many cases, the native species will re-establish once the invasives are removed.
Helpful Definitions
Native (or indigenous) – a species that has been present in Ohio prior to substantial European settlement (1750 in Ohio).
Non-native (also known as exotic, alien, or introduced) – a species that was introduced to Ohio by humans, either deliberately or accidentally, from other states or countries.
Invasive – a non-native species that is able to establish itself within existing native plant communities in natural areas (forests, grasslands, savannas, wetlands); invasive species pose a threat to the integrity and native biological diversity of the
community by outcompeting native species.
Cultivar – a plant variety that has been selected and maintained through cultivation (a "cultivated variety").
Native (or indigenous) – a species that has been present in Ohio prior to substantial European settlement (1750 in Ohio).
Non-native (also known as exotic, alien, or introduced) – a species that was introduced to Ohio by humans, either deliberately or accidentally, from other states or countries.
Invasive – a non-native species that is able to establish itself within existing native plant communities in natural areas (forests, grasslands, savannas, wetlands); invasive species pose a threat to the integrity and native biological diversity of the
community by outcompeting native species.
Cultivar – a plant variety that has been selected and maintained through cultivation (a "cultivated variety").
Choosing Alternatives to Invasives
The plants described here have been found to be invasive in Ohio’s natural areas by the Ohio Invasive Plants Council (OIPC). Since 2013, OIPC’s Assessment Team has been evaluating potentially invasive plants using a rigorous, scientific protocol. While there are more species that are likely to be assessed and found to be invasive, the 15 covered in this brochure have been evaluated as of 2016 and are often found in landscaped areas or on neighboring private lands. Many of the invasive plants in this brochure were introduced to the U.S. in the 19th century from Europe or Asia, often as ornamentals, but also for other uses such as soil stabilization and wildlife habitat.
Gardeners and landowners are often looking to replace invasive plants in their landscapes or in adjacent natural habitat. Invasive plants may be in our yards, woods, grasslands, or wetlands and we can choose to remove them. Many of these invasive, non-native plants have been in our landscapes for years, while others are currently sold in the nursery industry.
The plants described here have been found to be invasive in Ohio’s natural areas by the Ohio Invasive Plants Council (OIPC). Since 2013, OIPC’s Assessment Team has been evaluating potentially invasive plants using a rigorous, scientific protocol. While there are more species that are likely to be assessed and found to be invasive, the 15 covered in this brochure have been evaluated as of 2016 and are often found in landscaped areas or on neighboring private lands. Many of the invasive plants in this brochure were introduced to the U.S. in the 19th century from Europe or Asia, often as ornamentals, but also for other uses such as soil stabilization and wildlife habitat.
Gardeners and landowners are often looking to replace invasive plants in their landscapes or in adjacent natural habitat. Invasive plants may be in our yards, woods, grasslands, or wetlands and we can choose to remove them. Many of these invasive, non-native plants have been in our landscapes for years, while others are currently sold in the nursery industry.
Guidance for Ohio Gardeners and Landowners
On this site are a few suggestions for gardeners and landowners regarding some alternative plants that are native or otherwise non-invasive, and that are available in many Ohio nurseries and garden centers. Straight species, rather than cultivars, are usually preferred in habitat restoration. Note that there are additional alternatives besides those suggested here.
Cultivars of the assessed invasive plants which are sterile (do not produce seeds) are likely not invasive, while those that produce seeds are likely invasive in natural areas, as has been documented with many of these species, such as the Asian bush honeysuckles.
On this site are a few suggestions for gardeners and landowners regarding some alternative plants that are native or otherwise non-invasive, and that are available in many Ohio nurseries and garden centers. Straight species, rather than cultivars, are usually preferred in habitat restoration. Note that there are additional alternatives besides those suggested here.
Cultivars of the assessed invasive plants which are sterile (do not produce seeds) are likely not invasive, while those that produce seeds are likely invasive in natural areas, as has been documented with many of these species, such as the Asian bush honeysuckles.
How to plant and where to plant are important factors in the long-term success of each planting.