Don't Plant a Pest Brochure

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Groundcovers & Perennials Groundcovers & Perennials Groundcovers & Perennials Many of the characteristics that make a Groundcovers & Perennials Gardening green plant a good choice for the garden may also Groundcovers & make it a successful invader: Don’t plant: Taiwan raspberry Don’t plant: California is a gardener's dream. Our mild climate allows (Rubus pentalobus) Don’t Forms a highly textured, us to have fantastic gardens, showcasing a wide variety Garden Plants Invasive Plants Perennials periwinkle licorice plant of ornamental plants from all Easy to propagate Broad germination (Vinca major) evergreen groundcover that (Helichrysum petiolare) Establish rapidly Colonizer supresses weeds. Foliage can around the world. This aggressive grower has Seeds are wind dispersed, Mature early Mature early Don’t plant: turn a beautiful scarlet color in trailing stems that root and the spreading branches Abundant flowers Prolific seeds fall. Yellow, raspberry-like fruit Edibles Incredible Courtesy But sometimes, our garden wherever they touch the soil. will root at any point of Pest/disease tolerant Few natural predators iceplant or Hottentot fig is edible fresh or in preserves.

plants "jump the fence" and This ability to resprout from Alfred Brousseau, Br. 1995 contact with the ground. Saint Mary's College Mary's Saint plant a (Carpobrotus edulis) ©

invade natural areas. These Invasive plants are by nature a regional problem. A plant stem fragments enables Licorice plant has been Botanical Garden Botanical Small mammals can carry seeds of Missouri Courtesy invasive plants can become that jumps out of the garden in one climate and habitat periwinkle to spread rapidly in shady creeks and found displacing native serious wildland weeds that iceplant from landscape settings to drainages, smothering the native plant community. giant alumroot plants in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and type may behave perfectly in another. The twelve nearby coastal dunes and other threaten California's (Heuchera maxima and hybrids) other sensitive coastal areas. problem plants listed here have escaped from gardens sensitive areas. The vigorous biodiversity and economy. This evergreen groundcover has throughout the greater Bay Area. groundcover forms impenetrable English ivy, Algerian ivy heart-shaped leaves and tiny, pest! mats that compete directly with (Hedera helix, H. caneriensis) Instead try: Over half of the plants bell-shaped, pink and white How to use this brochure: native vegetation, including several When birds carry the seeds of these popular plants into currently damaging flowers that hang gracefully from This brochure suggests safe alternatives for these rare and threatened plants along wildlands, ivys can smother California's wildlands were thin stalks. coast purple sage plants. When you are buying new plants, consider these the coast. forest trees and understory Give them an inch originally introduced for alternatives, or ask your local nursery for other non- plants by completely shading (Salvia leucophylla) landscaping purposes. Conservancy Nature The Rice, Barry Courtesy A California native with graceful

French broom invades Bay Area hillsides. invasive plants. If one of the invasive plants is already them, which also prevents Courtesy El Nativo Growers, Inc. Growers, Nativo El Courtesy Garden escapes like in your yard, especially if you live near wildlands, you Instead try: Sciences of Academy California 1998 © Webber Charles regeneration of new tree and silvery-green leaves, arching and they’ll take an pampasgrass and Scotch broom may have desirable may want to remove it and replace it with a recom- shrub seedlings. Ivy also branches, and whorls of purple

characteristics in a garden setting, but outside the Watson Lynn 2002 flowers in spring and summer.

mended alternative. Think about why you might plant © Botanical Garden Botanical hardy iceplant Missouri Courtesy harbors pests, such as rats garden these plants displace native species and alter wild ginger one of the problem plants in the first place. Is it just for (Delosperma cooperi) and snails. acre... natural processes. the way it looks? If so, finding a replacement is often (Asarum caudatum) A non-invasive iceplant with smaller, A California native, this easy—some of the alternatives listed here are selected bush germander Some of these plants show weedy tendencies in the succulent leaves and brilliant violet- Instead try: evergreen groundcover has

especially for their similar appearance. Or maybe you Garden African The 2003 (Teucrium fruticans and cultivars) © David Fenwick David pink flowers May through October. heart-shaped leaves and garden as well. For example, English ivy can take over a need a plant to fill a functional role, such as a This plant has loosely-branching, Salt tolerant. unusual maroon flowers. yard and damage buildings and fences. Likewise, when groundcover that grows well in a shady place, or a border

pachysandra Howitt, F. Beatrice 1999 silverly stems, gray-green leaves, and California Academy of Sciences of Academy California birds drop seeds near pachysandra © plant that likes full sun. lavender flowers for most of the year. a stream, English ivy (Pachysandra terminalis) Alternatives listed here thrive freeway daisy Grows more slowly than Vinca and can take over native in the same environments as Full sun vegetation and (Osteospermum fruticosum Hedera, but has a crisp, neat problem plants while offering Part shade bear’s foot hellebore Monrovia

degrade wildlife and hybrids) Produces copious growth form. New foliage is bright Jerusalem sage © Botanical Garden Botanical added benefits such as Full shade Missouri Courtesy (Helleborus foetidus) habitat. cheerful flowers, even under the green, changing to dark with age. (Phlomis fruticosa)

attracting wildlife. Many of Drought tolerant harshest conditions. Grows well Variegated cultivars are available. Unusual foliage and delicate, Botanical Garden Botanical Courtesy Missouri Courtesy A dependable, silvery-leafed shrub with these alternatives are readily Low water complex flowers. The intriguing along the coast. whorls of yellow flowers that will thrive in any available, though others may Moderate water Serbian bellflower pale green and purple flowers often

Photo by Brianna Richardson, 2003 Richardson, Brianna by Photo Serbian bellflower The Nature Conservancy Nature The Courtesy John Randall, John Courtesy be easiest to find in specialty well-drained soil. Photo by Brianna Richardson, 2003 Richardson, Brianna by Photo Regular water have a pleasant fragrance. English ivy destroys forest understory vegetation wall germander (Campanula poscharskyana) A dense stand of pampasgrass (Cortaderia selloana), or native plant nurseries. High water × Produces a profusion of lilac-blue, a garden plant that has invaded Californa wildlands (Teucrium chamaedrys, or T. lucidrys) 'P'Powis Castle' Artemisia Gardeners don't plant invasive species intentionally. This plant can be sheared into a neat groundcover or star-shaped flowers spring to fall. This handsome plant has finely divided, gray foliage that Like other Californians, gardeners have a deep respect allowed to grow to full height (about one foot), and Grows quickly and easily, but could

Both native and non-native plants have been recommended as grows to 3 feet tall. Lush and quick growing, it is best Botanical Garden Botanical for our state’s rich natural heritage. The good news is overwhelm a carefully manicured Missouri Courtesy alternatives in this brochure. Care has been taken to ensure produces lavender flowers in the spring. Compact for an informal garden. that most garden plants behave perfectly well in their that none of the recommended non-natives is invasive. cultivars are available. garden. intended roles. By choosing suitable replacements for the However, plants can adapt over time, and there is no winter saxifrage St. Catherine's lace Suggested alternatives for invasive few problem plants, we can save ourselves trouble and guarantee that some of these plants will not themselves ivory star jasmine or asian jasmine become pests in the future. If you notice one of these showy dewflower (Bergenia cordifolia and hybrids) (Eriogonum giganteum) A California native, this freely garden plants of the greater expense in our garden and help to protect the natural (Trachelospermum asiaticum) garden plants of the greater alternatives invading natural areas, notify Cal-IPC. Pay close (Drosanthemum floribundum) An evergreen groundcover, with large, dark green branching, grayish-white shrub has white flowers that California landscape at the same time. Has glossy, dark green leaves and pale yellow, San Francisco Bay Area attention to plant names, since a few of our recommended A succulent with silver-gray leaves and an abundance of leaves, and clusters of bright, deep pink flowers. attract butterflies. Could overwhelm a carefully plants may have invasive relatives—even in the same genus. pinwheel-shaped flowers with a jasmine scent. pink flowers. Tolerates some salt spray. manicured garden. Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs - San Diego sedge cornelian-cherry dogwood Don’t plant: San Diego sedge CalCal IPCIPC (Carex spissa) This large sedge has a form similar pineapple guava CalCalCalifornia Invasive IPCIPC Plant Council (Carex spissa) (Cornus mas) A small tree Don’t plant: Don’t plant: to that of an ornamental grass. Produces gray leaves (Feijoa sellowiana) that produces bright yellow pampasgrass to five feet tall and yellow, grass-like flowers in the This evergreen shrub has scarlet www.calipc.org flowers, which become bright (Cortaderia selloana) scarlet wisteria broom spring. and white flowers, as delicious as (510) 525-1502 red, edible berries that birds Wind can carry the tiny (Sesbania punicea) (Scotch, French, Spanish, Portuguese) they are beautiful, and waxy blue- enjoy. Leaves may turn red seeds up to 20 miles. The

Birds spread the fruits of this (Cytisus scoparius, Genista monspessulana, green fruits with a minty-pineapple Botanical Garden Botanical and purple in fall. Missouri Courtesy the massive size of each For more information about invasive small tree or shrub away from Spartium junceum, Cytisus striatus) Bigelow’s bear grass flavor. It is easily shaped into a urban plantings. It has formed pampas grass plant with its plants visit: These four brooms have invaded over one million (Nolina bigelovii) This agave can be mistaken for small tree. dense thickets along creeks accumulated litter reduces acres in California. The showy flowers produce a large bunchgrass. Grows up to six feet tall,

www.calipc.org wildlife habitat, limits Monrovia

and streams. Japanese kerria © thousands of seeds that build up in the soil over producing large, striking, white flowers in summer. http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu (Kerria japonica) recreational opportunities time, creating dense thickets that obliterate entire in conservation areas, and www.cdfa.ca.gov plant and animal communities. Golden yellow flowers first appear in spring on this graceful creates a serious fire 2003 Richardson, Brianna by Photo www.invasivespecies.gov Instead try: Conservancy Nature The Randall, John Courtesy shrub, and continue into summer. hazard. strawberry tree Stems remain bright green in Don’t plant: (Arbutus unedo) This project funded by: Brazilian flame bush winter after leaves fall. Instead try: A gorgeous evergreen tree available Environmental Defense; (Calliandra tweedii) in compact, shrub-like varieties A small tree or shrub with cotoneaster that are easy to grow. It produces NSF Biological Invasions IGERT, UC, Davis; Monrovia

© Cape thatching reed leaves similar to scarlet (Cotoneaster lacteus, C. pannosus) masses of beautiful white flowers, (Chondropetalum tectorum) Santa Clara County Weed Management Area wisteria, and bright red Birds have spread the berries and seeds of these and textured, strawberry-like fruits. This decorative, grasslike plant produces attractive flowers that attract specimen shrubs to many different habitat types. flowers that are ideal in cut flower arrangements. hummingbirds and bloom all With their rapid The following organizations participated Monrovia golden currant Grows three to four feet tall. © summer. growth and

in the production of this brochure: Alfred Brousseau, Br. 1995 Saint Mary's College Mary's Saint

© (Ribes aureum) competitive roots, and Information Center, UC Davis UC Center, Information and BMP Ecosciences Research Horticulture Ornamental A California native, cotoneasters California Department of Food and Agriculture this shrub has a crape myrtle displace native California Native Plant Society profusion of bright plants and animals. sandankwa viburnum Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture (Lagerstroemia species) Instead try: yellow flowers that turn (Viburnum suspensum) Daar/IPM Consulting Group This popular tree into edible berries This evergreen shrub

East Bay Municipal Utility District features lovely peeling Monrovia

1999 California Academy of Sciences of Academy California 1999 © Faultline Magazine forsythia Orr Margaret and Thomas Robert Dr. bark and large clusters of jellies. Birds and small, waxy, pinkish-white Golden Gate National Recreation Area × Instead try: showy flowers in white, (Forsythia intermedia) butterflies love this plant. flowers that give way to

Marin County Department of Agriculture Monrovia

pink, purple, and red. Often the first plant to © Monrovia Nursery Company bright red berries. Several Dwarf varieties are bloom in spring, forsythia toyon The Nature Conservancy Monrovia compact varieties are © produces an astounding Point Reyes National Seashore available. (Heteromeles arbutifolia and cultivars) available. Monrovia Jerusalem sage Return of the Natives Restoration Education Project, CSUMB © display of bright yellow This California native is an evergreen shrub that Has Santa Clara Weed Management Area flowers. Dozens of cultivars (Phlomis fruticosa) Lindheimer's muhly grass produces delicate white flowers and large clusters of gold medallion tree bright yellow flowers and gray-

Sloat Garden Centers are available. Grows quickly. (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) Florida- of University Shelby, Mark Courtesy IFAS Extension IFAS Brilliant yellow flowers grace brilliant red berries that birds love. © Strybing Arboretum (Cassia leptophylla) green, textured leaves. This large, dependable, and showy ornamental grass Suncrest Nursery this tree throughout the summer, becoming has blue-gray foliage UC Davis Arboretum attractive seed pods similar to those of scarlet and flowering spikes calamondin orange UC Cooperative Extension wisteria. Larger than Sesbania, up to 25 feet tall. in the fall and winter. (Citrus mitis or × Citrofortunella microcarpa) Joy Creek Nursery Creek Joy (Citrus mitis or Citrofortunella microcarpa)

winter jasmine © Special Thanks to the Good in poor soils, it A natural hybrid between the tangerine and kumquat. (Jasminum nudiflorum) University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley showy island snapdragon grows up to five feet Evergreen with shiny green leaves, and small, Arching green stems and bright (Galvezia speciosa) A California native, this tall. Works well as a fragrant, waxy white flowers followed by long-lasting, This brochure is a production of the California Invasive Plant Council yellow flowers that bloom in shrub hypericum Nursery Sustainability Program. shrub has arching branches that increase in height specimen plant or bright orange fruits that make great marmalade.

winter characterize this (Hypericum 'Rowallane')'Rowallane') This shrub produces massed into an Arboretum up to 8 feet tall. Produces copious red flowers that Park Washington Courtesy For more information, or to contact us, visit www.calipc.org, or call deciduous shrub.

(510) 525-1502. are irresistible to hummingbirds. bright yellow flowers through the summer and fall. attractive border.

1999 California Academy of Sciences of Academy California 1999