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.
How Gardeners Can Help Fight Invasive Plants
As gardeners and caretakers of the earth, this is our first responsibility is to grow no harm.
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
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.
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
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 Plant | Recommended 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 Plant | Recommended 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 |
Aquatic Plants
| Invasive Plant | Recommended 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
- Learn what’s invasive in your region.
- Remove these invasives from your garden and dispose of them without risk of regrowing.
This guide shares how to remove specific species. - Watch for invasive plants in nurseries and report them.
- Support local conservation efforts.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛