Garden Gate

Problem Plants?

Some very familiar garden plants are showing up on some not very nice lists these days. That’s because these are non-native plants that escape cultivation and wreak havoc on natural habitats across North America. Non-native invasive plants are those that have been introduced into an environment in which they did not evolve so they don’t have natural enemies to limit their reproduction. Many of these plants—like barberry, English ivy and wisteria—have spread from gardens where they are grown as ornamentals. Travel and international trade has rapidly introduced even more non-native species. With few predators and decreasing competition for resources, these plants take over a landscape until it’s no longer able to support native plant, animal and insect

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