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Plant Wisely: Choosing Non-Invasive Options for Your Garden

Published on May 29, 2020Last updated October 6, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

This post contains affiliate links.
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Invasive plants are taking hold of our natural areas, choking out other plants and related animal life. Our job as gardeners is to keep invasive plants out of our yards to avoid any possible spread and grow beneficial plants instead.

For help researching plants, I have listed some online plant databases here.

Garden plants including invasive species.

How Gardeners Can Help Fight Invasive Plants

A garden with wildflowers and other potentially invasive plants.

As gardeners and caretakers of the earth, this is our first responsibility is to grow no harm.

English ivy
Invasive English Ivy

To tackle invasive plant species, our job is to sustainably reduce and eliminate what’s here and prevent future growth.

Years ago, invasive plants were rarely mentioned in gardening guides. Today, they should be a top concern when choosing what to grow, as their impact on ecosystems is too significant to ignore.

What are invasive plants?

An invasive plant is a species introduced by humans to a new area where it would not have naturally occurred. Once established, it spreads aggressively, disrupting ecosystems and causing significant ecological or economic harm.

The Web of Life

Our entire ecosystem relies on a delicate balance between plants, animals, and their environments. This interconnected system relies on biodiversity for long-term sustainability. When invasive plants or animals take over, they disrupt these natural relationships, altering or even destroying habitats over time.

I didn’t think twice about this stuff when I started gardening many years ago, and now it’s the center of my garden choices.

Invasive plants gradually choke out adapted, non-aggressive plants and the animals they have co-evolved with.

Without predators or natural containments, these thugs are gradually destroying our natural areas.

The bee gets the pollen or nectar, the flower is pollinated. It’s win win.

You can find a list of invasive plants and alternate choices here.


What Home Gardeners Can Do

Orange daylily flowers
Invasive Daylily

There are a lot of us gardeners! Together we have tremendous power to influence the gardening industry and decide how our gardens will or will not contribute to the well-being of the earth.

Many invasive species we struggle with today were introduced by humans—either intentionally or incidentally, or by wind or animals.

And, no matter how much we try to contain things or think we can control it in our own yards, plants can always spread.

This could be by pollination, natural propagation such as a bird pooping out a seed, roots spreading to neighboring yards, disposal of the plant or clippings in yard waste which ends up growing elsewhere, and countless other ways. Most often it is done innocently or unknowingly, but either way, it is a problem.

If we grow it in our gardens we have to assume it can and will be released into nature—no matter how careful we think we are.


Know What You’re Growing

As a gardener, I encourage you to look up invasive species resources for your region and get familiar with the major players. In many cases, geo-political borders on a map are meaningless: some of these problems cover vast areas of our continent.

Lily of the valley plants
Invasive Lily of the Valley

Have you got any invasive plants growing in your garden?

I do! And removing them is an ongoing project.

One big tell is invasive species tend to be both hardy and fast-growing, spreading rapidly.

It’s startling to discover that while under-funded groups are battling these plants in natural areas, some are still sold at local plant nurseries. Talk about a disconnect! I’m sure most consumers have no idea.

Not all invasives in natural areas are caused by gardeners of course, but over the years we have certainly played a role and it’s all hands on deck at this point. Every good deed helps.


Choosing Native Plants

Red columbine in bloom - native to Ontario and surrounding regions.
Aquilegia canadensis, the Canadian or Canada columbine, native to eastern North America

Using ‘native plants‘ is part of the solution. But beware that it’s not that simple.

Just because it’s labelled native for your region does not mean it is suited to your specific garden climate and growing conditions. And some native species can be aggressive growers too. It’s always about the right plant in the right place.

On the flip side, not all introduced species, hybrids, cross-breeds, and cultivars are invasive—not by any measure. But they may be sterile or infertile and not provide any benefit to birds, bees, butterflies, and so on. So it’s worth researching plants before purchasing.

Ultimately what we need are non-invasive, non-aggressive plants that fit our climate and growing conditions and have a symbiotic relationship with other non-invasive living things. Grow to restore those natural checks and balances as much as we can.

It’s a lot to consider but the reward is a vibrant, thriving garden that does no harm. Or at least helps prevent further invasion.

Wait! Before You Plant…

Be sure any plants you choose:

  • Are recommended for your plant hardiness zone and growing conditions.
  • Are not invasive in your area.
  • Are suitable for your growing conditions including sun, soil, water, and wind.
  • Contribute to biodiversity by providing food, nectar, or habitat for wildlife.
  • Will not be too big for the space at mature size.

You can read more ecological gardening tips here.


Plant Lists

Southern Ontario Canada

These lists show common invasive plants for southern Ontario, Canada and surrounding regions and provides some alternative plant choices.

Invasive plants can be terrestrial or aquatic including annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, and vines.

I have compiled these lists from the resources listed here. They are suggestions that you need to research before acting on.

Again, be sure whatever you choose is non-invasive and (preferably) non-aggressive, is well-adapted for your area and growing conditions, and has a symbiotic relationship with local wildlife.


Groundcovers, Wildflowers, and Grasses

Invasive PlantRecommended Alternative
Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Creeping Jenny
Lysimachia nummularia
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Canada Anemone
Anemone canadensis
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
Daylily
Hemerocallis fulva
Michigan Lily
Lilium michiganense
Pale Purple Coneflower
Echinacea pallida
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
English Ivy
Hedera helix
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Goutweed
Aegopodium podagraria
Large-leaved Aster
Eurybia macrophylla
Lily-of-the-Valley
Convallaria majalis
Starry Solomon’s Seal
Maianthemum stellatum
Miscanthus Grasses
Miscanthus sinensis
M.sacchariflorus
Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Ivory Sedge
Carex eburnea
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Periwinkle
Vinca minor
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum

Wintercreeper
Euonymus fortunei
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Running Euonymus
Euonymus obovatus
Virginia Waterleaf
Hydrophyllum virginianum
Yellow Archangel
Lamiastrum galeobdolon
Zigzag Goldenrod
Solidago flexicaulis

Trees, Shrubs, and Vines

Invasive PlantRecommended Alternative
Amur Maple
Acer ginnala
Ruby Lace Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis
Honeysuckles -Non-Native
Lonicera tatarica
L. maackii
L. morrowii
L. x bella
L. xylosteum
Native Bush Honeysuckles
Diervilla lonicera
Honeysuckle – Japanese Vine
Lonicera japonica
Climbing Hydrangea
Hydrangea anomala spp. petiolaris
Goldflame Honeysuckle
Lonicera x heckrotti
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Japanese Barberry
Berberis thungergii
Native Viburnums
Viburnum lentago, V. lantanoides and others
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Wild Black Current
Ribes americanum
Wild Roses
Rosa carolina, R. virginiana
Norway Maple
Acer platanoides
Sugar, Silver, and Freeman Maples
Acer saccharum, A. saccharinum, A. xfreemanii
Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Dutchman’s Pipe
Aristolochia macrophylla
Jackman Clematis
Clematis x jackmanii
Virgin’s Bower
Clematis virginiana
Russian Olive
Autumn Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia
E. umbellata
Red-osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Silverberry
Elaeagnus commutata
Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Sea Buckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides
Alternate-Leaf Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Bayberry
Morella (syn. Myrica) pensylvanica
Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Common Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Winged Euonymus
Euonymus alatus
Downy, Smooth, and Canada Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea, A. laevis, A. canadensis
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Northern Spicebush
Lindera benzoin

Pussy willow tree catkins on branches

Related: How to Cut & Display Pussy Willow Branches Indoors



Aquatic Plants

Invasive PlantRecommended Alternative
European Frog-bit
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
Broad-leaved Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Fanwort
Cabomba caroliniana
Coontail
Ceratophyllum demersum
Flowering Rush
Butomus umbellatus
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata
Tape grass
Vallisneria americana
Yellow Floating Heart
Nymphoides peltata
Fragrant Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Yellow Iris
Iris pseudacorus
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Cardinal Flower (not aquatic)
Lobelia cardinalis
Joe-pye Weed
Eupatorium maculatum
Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
Northern Blueflag Iris
Iris versicolor
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Swamp Rose-mallow
Hibiscus moscheutos
Sweetflag Grass
Acorus calamus
White Turtlehead
Chelone glabra
Water Lettuce
Pistia stratiotes
Pickerelweed
Pontederia cordata
Water Soldier
Stratiotes aloides
Common Mare’s Tail
Hippuris vulgaris

Additional Non-Invasive Alternatives

Bergamot Monarda
Canada Waterweed Elodea canadensis
Common Arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia
Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata
Dwarf Hairgrass Eleocharis acicularis
Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina
Maidenhair Fern Adiantum aethiopicum
Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum
Red Oak Quercus rubra
Shrubby Cinquefoil Dasiphora fruiticosa

Watch List

Can Be Invasive in Natural Areas

American WisteriaWisteria frutescens
Bohemian KnotweedReynoutria × bohemica
Brazilian ElodeaEgeria densa
Callery PearPyrus calleryana
Chocolate VineAkebia quinata
Common and Chinese PrivetLigustrum vulgare, L. sinense
Dog-strangling Vine (black and pale swallowwort) C. louiseae and C. rossicum
Giant Knotweed Reynoutria sachalinensis
Guelder Rose/ European CranberryViburnum opulus
Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata
Japanese Hedge ParsleyTorilis japonica
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica
Japanese LilacSyringa reticulata
JetbeadRhodotypos scandens
Kudzu Pueraria montana
Mint spp.
Lamium spp. Dead nettles
Pachysandra Pachysandra terminalis
Parrot Feather Myriophyllum aquaticum
Saltcedar/TamariskT amarix ramoisissima
Phragmites Phragmites australis subs. australis
Reed Canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea var. picta
Siberian Peashrub Caragana arborescens
Spreading Hedge ParsleyTorilis arvenis
Sycamore Maple Acer pseudoplatanus
Tree-of-Heaven Ailanthus altissima
Water ChestnutTrapa natans
Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes
Water Soldier Stratiotes aloides
White Mulberry Morus alba
Winter Aconite Eranthis hyemalis

Ontario Resources

  • Ontario Invasive Plant Council | Ontario non-profit tackling invasive plant issues
  • Grow Me Instead: Beautiful Non-Invasive Plants for Your Garden
    A Guide for Southern Ontario (PDF format)
  • Grow Me Instead: Beautiful Non-Invasive Plants for Your Garden
    A Guide for Northern Ontario (PDF format)
  • In the Zone | Southwestern Ontario | Grow a healthy woodland, wetland or wildflower garden designed to help Carolinian wildlife thrive.

Action Plan

  1. Learn what’s invasive in your region.
  2. Remove these invasives from your garden and dispose of them without risk of regrowing.
    This guide shares how to remove specific species.
  3. Watch for invasive plants in nurseries and report them.
  4. Support local conservation efforts.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

A garden with wildflowers and other potentially invasive plants.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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