Creating Healthy Habitats with Native Plants
BY LORI DRAZ AND ANN SHERWOOD, COLTS NECK SHADE TREE COMMISSION
The term “invasive species” conjures up images of destructive insects
like the murder hornet, and locally the emerald ash borer or the spotted
containers and are now destroying crops and woodlands. Insects do pose
real and serious threats, but another serious danger are invasive plant species.
Often, they are brought into gardens to lend beautiful touches to landscape
design. They may have stayed contained in the cultivated garden, but
expansion of developed landscape, changing climate conditions and deer
overpopulation have created opportunities for them to thrive in the wild.
According to the Colts Neck Shade Tree Commission, some of the
invasive plants include Japanese and Chinese wisteria, Japanese barber-
ability to out-compete native plants and to disrupt a healthy, diverse ecosystem.
Invasive plants do not provide the right kind of food and habitat
for birds, insect pollinators and small animals. The reduced diversity results
in greater vulnerability to extreme weather events and pests, such as the
the soil to favor their growth over other plants, contributing to further
loss of healthy habitat.
You can help restore heathy habitat by devoting some of your garden
Not Plant List” compiled by the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team. To
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view that list, visit fohvos.info/invasive-species-strike-team/info-center.
Some invasive plants have become garden staples, available locally
for purchase because local garden centers stock what people ask for.
However, there are many underused and beautiful native alternatives
to choose from. You may want to try American wisteria (Wisteria
frutescens), a highly deer-resistant alternative to Japanese or Chinese
-
dulous than the invasive varieties, but equally attractive. If you are
looking for deer-resistant alternatives to burning bush, try fothergilla
(Fothergilla gardenii or Fothergilla major) or winterberry holly (Ilex
verticillata). Both have good fall color. Winterberry is also a good replacement
for Japanese barberry, as are wild hydrangea (Hydrangea
arborescens), ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), and silky dogwood
(Clethra alnifolia). Summer sweet prefers moist soil, grows well in full
for your garden. A few good places to start are the New Jersey Friendly
Yards (jerseyyards.org/jersey-friendly-plants/native-plants) and the
New Jersey Native Plant Society (npsnj.org/pages/nativeplants_Na-
local garden centers, write down the common name and the botanical
name and ask them to try to get it for you. The botanical name is important
to ensure that the plant you purchase is exactly what you want.
centers know there is a demand for natives. If local shops are not able
to help, the New Jersey Friendly Yards and New Jersey Native Plant
Society sites have lists of state and online sources for native plants.
Before removing invasive plants, check out the best practices for
eradication. Many don’t require the use of herbicides that can damage
plants you wish to keep. The Strike Team website has helpful factsheets
for common invasive varieties. Do not put plants into your compost
pile. Unfortunately, the best way to be sure that seeds and roots can’t
regrow is to place plants into a black plastic bag and put it in the trash.
Like all aspects of gardening, managing invasives takes persistence.
Enjoy the process and the new look in your yard!
To learn more, contact your local Garden Club and Rutgers Master
Gardeners of Monmouth County. To identify invasive plant species, visit
fohvos.info/invasive-species-strike-team/info-center.
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/native-plants)
/nativeplants_Na-
link