Invasive Plants

Kudzu vine, garlic mustard, crown vetch, and Japanese honeysuckle are just a few examples of well-known invasive species that have radically changed the balance of ecosystems in many regions of the U.S. Even selecting a “sterile” cultivar of an otherwise invasive plant can be dangerous: several varieties of the notoriously invasive purple loosestrife sold as “sterile” actually produce fertile seeds, pollen, or both.

Invasive plants are especially opportunistic when ecosystems are disturbed—construction sites are a prime example—so it’s important to be proactive about establishing native plants quickly to prevent invasives from filling the void.