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PLANT OF THE MONTH
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Foamflower is great for shady areas
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Alternatives to Invasive Plants
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Aggressive invaders such as periwinkle, goutweed or “snow on the mountain” and English ivy can quickly take over large areas of your (and your neighbour’s) yard. They also spread to natural areas, displacing local wildflowers such as spring beauty, trilliums and trout lily. If you want to grow groundcovers, there are some wonderful native alternatives.
In shady areas, try Canada wild-ginger, heart-leaved foamflower or bunchberry. In sunnier locations, try wild strawberry or barren strawberry. Canada anemone and zig-zag goldenrod also grow well but spread easily. Choose two or more native groundcovers most suited to the conditions in your yard. Plant patches of each for variety through the seasons.
Instead of invasive shrubs such as euonymus (for example, burning bush and spindle-tree) and invasive honeysuckles (such as Japanese or Tatarian), try native ones. Downy, smooth or Canada serviceberry, bush honeysuckle and red osier dogwood are great alternatives.
When you plant trees, choose Northern red oak, hackberry or Freeman maple over Norway maple and other invasives.
Make the best choices for your yard and your neighbourhood. More options can be found in CVC’s plant lists, as well as our Gardening Wisely list.
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CARING FOR YOUR YARD
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Get that periwinkle out!
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Removing Invasive Periwinkle
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Periwinkle is one of many invasive plants found in backyards. Left unmanaged, this invasive ground cover can smother a garden and make it difficult to grow anything else.
Removing it can be a challenge but is worth the effort. Replacing it with native plants will support the bees, butterflies and birds we love to see in our garden.
When: When the soil is soft, such as after a rainfall or when the area has been thoroughly watered the night before.
How: Use a shovel or your hands to pull up the plant and its roots. Dig out roots that break off below the surface of the soil. Any roots left behind can grow into a new plant.
Disposal: Do not compost! Put periwinkle and other invasive groundcovers in the garbage. Check with your municipality for more information.
Next Steps: Complete removal can be a multi-year process. Monitor the area regularly and immediately remove any new periwinkle shoots. Learn to identify invasive plants and discover more about them by visiting cvc.ca/invasives. Use our native plant lists and native plant nursery guide to find plants best suited for your yard.
If you find invasive species in parks and along nature trails, contact the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or visit EDDMapS Ontario to report a sighting.
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DID YOU KNOW
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Read the label when buying from a nursery
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If you’ve found invasive species growing in your yard, remove them and replace them with native plants. Removing invasive species can be challenging, but choosing native plants can be fun.
While it may be tempting to take plants from a nearby forest or field, you shouldn’t bring plants from the wild home with you. These plants support wildlife and keep natural areas diverse and resilient.
Instead, visit one of the many native plant nurseries found in Southern Ontario. Use our native plant nursery guide to help you find one that suits your needs. Some of these nurseries are open to the public, while others are open by appointment only. A few offer shipping or curbside pickup. Be sure to call ahead. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, mention this to staff so they know there’s demand for those plants.
To ensure you’re getting the right plant, read the label closely. Look for the Latin name (usually italicized) to confirm the species. A plant can have many common names, but the Latin name will always be the same. For example, the Latin name for black-eyed Susan is Rudbeckia hirta.
Keep an eye out for names in quotes following the Latin name, e.g., Rudbeckia hirta ‘Maya.’ This indicates the plant is a cultivar. Cultivars are plants produced by selective breeding and may not offer the same benefits to our local birds, butterflies and bees.
Use our plant lists to gather the information you need before placing your plant orders or heading to the nursery. You can download our plant lists or purchase them from our online store.
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Can you identify these spring wildflowers? The answers are given below. Try not to peek!
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- American trout lily (Erythronium americanum)
- Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
- Sharp-lobed hepatica (Anemone acutiloba)
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At Credit Valley Conservation, we create connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. We lead the protection, restoration and enhancement of our local natural environment, and we inspire a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping us connected, healthy and happy.
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