To the untrained eye, the invasive plants and trees that naturally appear in our gardens and backyards may look downright beautiful, enough so that we might wonder how to keep them healthy and thriving. But upon closer inspection (and with the help of this article!), you’ll find that these unwelcome species are strangling out the indigenous flora that our natural environments need in order to thrive. In each slide will introduce you to a new (great-looking) invasive plant species, along with a suggestion of what to plant in its place to achieve a similar yet Earth-friendly aesthetic.
#1: Purple Loosestrife
Why it’s a problem: The Purple Loosestrife is native to Europe and Asia (not North America). This purple beauty is a wetland invader species, crowding out native grasses and flowers, clogging much-needed waterways, and reducing habitat for native birds and insects.
Plant instead: Liatris spicata (known as the Blazing Star). Just as showy as the Loosestrife but with the added necessity of being native, the Blazing Star is beloved by pollinators, our farmers’ most important helpmate.
