Notes on Invasive Plant Species
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 17th Oct 2023
As the Gardener's HQ website covers many species of plants, from many different countries, it is likely that some of the plants covered may be considered a weed in your area.
Please be aware that though they may be invasive in your area, that they may make ideal garden plants in other parts of the world, that have much different climates.
I therefore feel it is right to include species that may be considered a pest in many parts of the world on this site. I do however strongly agree that gardeners need to be aware of which plants are invasive in their own areas, and that they should avoid growing plants that may be problematic to the balance of their local ecosystem.
For many species that are invasive it can be a good idea to grow the native species that they have out competed in their place, so that you help with their natural recovery
That said in some areas the native plants do not stand a chance against the invasive species, in this case you may wish to consider growing a similar type of plant that is able to compete. Ideally, one that does not grow aggressively but still grows well. Sometimes you may need to grow a completely different genus of plant to compete with the invader.
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Resources for Invasive Plants
Below are some links to information on invasive plants below.
National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC).
Invasive and Exotic Species of North America.
Preventing the spread of invasive plants in the UK.
Wikipedia List of invasive species in Europe.
Wikipedia List of invasive species in Europe.
ISSG - Global Invasive Species Programme
National Invasive Species Information Center - Asia
Department of Conservation - New Zealand
Invasive Species in South Africa
National Invasive Species Information Center - South America
Plants such as the Plume Poppy of the Macleaya genus are considered invasive in many areas, but may struggle to grow in other areas. Photograph by Leonora Enking.
I hope that you find the above information useful and that you carefully consider which plants may be invasive when you are planning what to grow in your Garden.
For more Gardener's HQ gardening articles go here.
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