NATIVE ALTERNATIVES TO INVASIVE SPECIES (Continued)

BAMBOO (Bambusa, Phyllostachys and Pseudosasa species)

Description: A popular plant for privacy screens due to its fast and dense growth habit, these species will quickly spread through underground rhizomes and can become out of control.

Alternatives: big bluestem (Andropogon geradii), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), for privacy screens: red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata ‘Green Giant’)

EXOTIC BUSH HONEYSUCKLES (Lonicera species)

Description: These species were introduced as ornamental specimens but have escaped into the wild and disrupted woodland habitats and hedgerows. The fruit is carbohydrate rich, which does not provide enough fats for migrating birds.

Alternatives: arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), red or black chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia or melanocarpa)

MULTIFLORA ROSE (Rosa multiflora)

Description: Introduced as an ornamental species in 1866, multiflora rose was later promoted for erosion control, as a living livestock fence, and wildlife cover by the government. It was eventually determined to be highly invasive, quickly outcompeting native shrubs in forests and other habitats.

Alternatives: common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis), swamp rose (Rosa palustris), pasture rose (Rosa carolina)

PRIVET (Ligustrum species)

Description: Widely used for hedges and privacy screens, privet has invaded forests, floodplains, wetlands and fields throughout the Northeast. It forms dense thickets that outcompete native vegetation.

Alternatives: inkberry holly (Ilex glabra), spicebush (LIndera benzoin), blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium), red or black chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia or melanocarpa)

NORWAY MAPLE (Acer platanoides)

Description: Introduced as an ornamental species, Norway maple is highly aggressive and invades forests, fields, and many other habitats where it displaces native trees and shrubs.

Alternatives: American beech (Fagus grandifolia), red maple (Acer rubrum), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), willow oak (Quercus phellos), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)

ENGLISH IVY (Hedera helix)

Description: Commonly used as an ornamental groundcover, English ivy will escape into the wild and form dense impenetrable mats on the forest floor, woodland edges, fields, hedgerows, coastal areas and wetlands. This vine will smother and kill trees and harbors bacterial leaf scorch, a harmful pathogen that kills oaks, maples, and elms.

Alternatives: Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) (caution should be used where planting as it can be quite aggressive), crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), wild ginger (Asarum Canadensis), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), (foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia), hairy alumroot (Heuchera villosa)