Landscape Alternatives 2.4.5

Everyone appreciates a well-maintained garden. Gardeners seek plants that are versatile, resilient, and quick to grow. It's particularly rewarding when a plant yields vibrant fruits that allure birds or is an annual that self-propagates, saving the hassle of replanting each year. Regrettably, many characteristics that gardeners admire in plants can inadvertently lead to them spreading beyond the garden boundaries and encroaching on natural habitats.

Invasive plants pose serious threats to both our environment and economy. They jeopardize native vegetation, wildlife, and ecosystems while also incurring approximately $35 billion in costs annually in the United States (source: www.invasivespecies.gov).

• Native (indigenous): A species that existed in North America before European colonization or has since arrived naturally.
• Non-native (exotic, alien, introduced): A species introduced to North America by human activity, whether intentional or accidental.
• Invasive: A non-native species whose introduction has or is likely to cause environmental or economic harm or pose risks to human health (according to Federal Executive Order 13112).

Invasive species have been introduced to new regions both unintentionally and deliberately. This application concentrates on plant species that are commonly used for ornamental purposes and have demonstrated invasive tendencies, particularly in parts of the Midwest. Notably, cultivars or hybrids derived from these species may or may not exhibit invasive behavior. While a few studies have evaluated cultivars' invasiveness, research remains scarce for many species. When definitive data is available on a cultivar's invasiveness level, it is explicitly listed.

Recommended alternatives encompass both native and non-invasive non-native species that are suitable for cultivation.