Some invasive plants were introduced as ornamental garden plants. Shrubs like Japanese barberry and ground cover like periwinkle for example, have a habit of escaping cultivation and replacing native plant species. The good news is that there are several things gardeners can do to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.

Avoiding invasive plants does not mean gardeners will have to sacrifice having a beautiful garden. There are many native and non-invasive plant species that can be great alternatives to invasive plants. For more information, check out the Midwest Invasive Plant Network's guide to Landscaping with Native Plants or stop by NCCISMA's office for free educational resources.

Don't Dump Yard Waste in Natural Areas

Invasive plants often begin as escaped cultivars, and even plants that stay well contained in a closed garden setting may become invasive when discarded in a natural environment.  Many invasive species, such as the Japanese knotweed (pictured right) can sprout a whole new plant from the tiniest fragment of stem.  Also, sometimes yard clippings include seeds.  Some flowering plants will even finish their growth cycle and produce seeds some time after the plant has been cut.

If you know you have an invasive plant in your yard waste, learn how to properly dispose of it by reading the Michigan Citizen's Guide to Invasive Plant Disposal. 

Plant Native Species

Michigan has many beautiful native plants.  Our native pollinators co-evolved with our native plants, sometimes so specifically that they only can use and therefore pollinate one specific native host plant. If you are interested in growing native species, several of our partners are holding native plant sales this spring:

• A Few Friends of the Environment of the World 
• Mecosta & Osceola-Lake Conservation Districts 
• Missaukee Conservation District
• Wexford Conservation District ​

You can also visit these local nurseries that sell native plants:

Native Plant Nurseries

Read Between the Lines

The descriptions on plant tags sometimes have hidden meanings! Beware of plant tags labelled "fast-growing" or "predator free".  Plants labeled "insect resistant" have sometimes been treated with systemic insecticides that are not selective about which insects they kill - this includes your cherished butterflies of the garden.  The thorns that make Japanese barberry (pictured right) "deer resistant" is also what makes it such an impenetrable nightmare when it escapes to natural areas.  

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