Invasive Plants to Remove From Your Yard

Whether your yard is beautifully landscaped, just starting out, or somewhere in the middle, like ours, it’s important to know what is planted in your yard. Everything in our yard has an ecological impact and it is our goal to make that impact positive for the ecosystem. To do this, we focus on native species and have made the goal of only planting native species from here on out in our yard. Our yard had some landscaping when we moved in. Lots of things were planted already. Unfortunately, many were invasive species. Now, it’s not necessary to remove all non-natives but it is important to remove invasive plants from your yard that have negative ecological consequences.

8 Invasive Plants to Remove From Your Yard

Butterfly Bush

Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) is another one you can buy in large department stores and think you’re supporting pollinators. They advertise as being beneficial for butterflies. Sure, butterflies will pollinate the flower because it’s available but that’s it. They provide no other ecological benefits. Pollinators only use it for the nectar that they could get from various other native plants. No native caterpillars will eat butterfly bush.  Instead, butterfly bush spreads quickly through seed dispersal. It is a fast-growing, attractive flower which is why it appeals to gardeners. Its high reproductive rate replaces and outcompetes native plants.

There are many flowering shrubs native to different regions. In my region, Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) or New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) would be great shrub alternatives. If the purple color is what you’re after, native flowers like Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) would be a good alternative. You could even plant butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) which is a host for monarch butterflies and other insects (albeit, it is orange in color)

Burning Bush

Burning Bush is popular for its bright red color in the fall. It is a fast-growing, large shrub that is very popular in landscape design. In some states, it is even sold at large garden centers despite the harmful effects on native ecosystems. Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) is adaptable to a variety of soil and light conditions allowing it to outcompete several different native species. Deer don’t eat it which allows it to spread quickly, especially in wild areas. There are plenty of native alternatives to Burning Bush. We removed a large Burning Bush from our front yard and have been looking to fill the empty area with a native shrub. We’re considering, Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), which has a beautiful crimson color in the fall. Or Spicebush which has a beautiful bright yellow color and is the host for swallowtail butterflies.

Buckthorn

Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) grows rapidly and large, reaching heights upwards of 25 feet. It spreads quickly through seeds in a variety of habitats. Buckthorn emerges early in the spring and holds their leaves longer than other native shrubs and trees. This makes it difficult for other native species. Buckthorn forms dense thickets, and shades native seedlings and understory plants. Despite its large size, it provides little value to native birds and insects. If you have Buckthorn on your property remove it and plant a tree native to your area.

Japanese Honeysuckle

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica ) is a quick-growing vine that grows over shrubs and trees. It can even grow up trees nearly 70+ feet tall. It spreads rapidly by seeds and can smother and kill native plants with its dense vegetation, There are a few native honeysuckle varieties in North America. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a native alternative that has beautiful red flowers and pollinators love it.

Japanese Knotweed

Take a drive through upstate new york in summer and you’ll see knotweed everywhere. Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a tough invasive species that can grow practically anywhere under any condition. It emerges early in the spring giving it a competitive edge over many native species. It spreads rapidly through rhizomes that can extend many feet underground. Its fast-growing nature easily crowds out native species.

Purple Loosestrife

I remember going for a walk last summer around a lake and seeing endless purple flowers all along the shore. Turns out it was purple loosestrife and invasive species from Europe and Asia. Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) spreads rapidly by seed dispersal and can inhabit a variety of wet habitats. Making the lake shore I was walking around the perfect home. Purple Loosestrife can grow upwards of 6+ feet. It displaces native species that would provide ecological benefits and erosion control. Native plants like Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) look very similar and would be a good alternative. Other native species to replace purple loosestrife in a wetland habitat are Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) or Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).

English Ivy

English Ivy (Hedera helix) grows quickly and forms a thick mat. It can grow upwards of 90 feet and forms dense trailing mats blocking out many native species. English Ivy is popular in landscape designs for its privacy and thick wall formations. It can grow in many different habitats and conditions, making it highly competitive with native plants. If you love English Ivy, I’ve heard it makes a good houseplant. Just don’t bring it outdoors! Native vine alternatives, like Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), are quick growing but also can cause skin irritation. Something to keep in mind if planting.

Common Dayliliies 

Common daylilies(Hemerocallis fulva) are very popular in landscapes and are in practically every yard in my neighborhood. They produce large clusters of tall flowers and spread quickly through rhizomes. In my yard, we have a round flowerbed where daylilies completely overtook the entire bed in a span of a few years. I spent all last summer digging up the rhizomes and am sure I’ll be doing the same this summer. Daylilies thrive in a variety of conditions. Their low maintenance appeal is what probably brought them to North America in the first place. They can be found along roads sides, meadows, and forests. In North America, there are several native species of lilies depending on where you live.

What to do about invasive plants in your yard?

If you have these invasive plants in your yard, the right thing to do is remove them. Those “pretty” flowers are not worth messing with the native ecosystem. We’d rather have an empty space in our yard than an invasive species. This is exactly what happened last summer when we removed the Burning Bush and Daylilies. Knowing I’m doing my part to benefit the local ecosystems is far better than having these plants in my yard. It’s important to make sure invasive species are not in our yards and do our part when we discover they’re there.

These are just 8 invasive plants to remove from your yard, but depending on where you live there are many more to be aware of. While some are harder to remove and may require years of work, know that you are doing your part by supporting native ecosystems. And please, if you’re putting in new plants, do not put these in your yard!