Don't Plant a Pest Brochure
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another. The problem plants listed here have escaped Gardening Responsibly from gardens throughout the Sierra foothill region. For GROUND COVERS ORNAMENTAL GRASSES AND SCREENS additional plants and lists of invasive plants in other California is a gardener’s dream. Our Mediterranean regions of the state, see the California Invasive Plant DO NOT PLANT! INVASIVE! DON’T PLANT! INVASIVE! Don’t climate allows us to have fantastic gardens showcasing a Council website at www.cal-ipc.org. wide variety of ornamental plants from all around the Periwinkle English ivy, Algerian ivy Green fountain grass Pampasgrass, jubatagrass Giant reed/Arundo world. Unfortunately, some of these are serious invasive How to use this brochure: (Vinca major) (Hedera helix, Hedera canariensis) (Pennisetum setaceum) (Cortaderia selloana, (Arundo donax) plants, threatening California’s biodiversity and This aggressive grower has Some ivy species in the Hedera genus are Spreads Cortaderia jubata) An extremely Plant a economy. That’s because some of our plants don’t stay This brochure features the most common invasive non- trailing stems that root invasive. Ivies can climb trees and under-story aggressively via fast-growing in the garden. They “jump the fence” when seeds, roots Wind and water native pest plants that are sold in nurseries or “shared” wherever they touch the soil. plants causing damage by completely shading seed by wind, plant that grows or stem fragments spread to other areas. Because of can carry the by unknowing gardeners and This ability to resprout from them. Shading also prevents regeneration of water or hitch in moist areas. their highly aggressive nature, invasive plants out- tiny seeds for suggests safe alternatives for Full sun stem fragments enables new trees and shrubs. Birds often spread the hiking on Arundo spreads compete desirable plants. Once established, they miles. The Pest! these plants. When you are periwinkle to spread rapidly Missouri Botanical Garden berries of these ivies into riparian and wildland vehicles and by root sprouts massive size of damage wildlife habitat, buying new plants, consider Part shade in shady drainages and creeks, smothering the areas. Ivy also harbors pests, such as rats and animals. Dense each plant with and stem impair water resources, these alternatives, or ask your Full shade native plant community and reducing available snails. It is difficult to distinguish problem ivies from less invasive infestations can its accumulated sections, can increase soil erosion, degrade local nursery for other wildlife habitat and forage. ones. Never dispose of ivy cuttings into natural areas. crowd out native cause erosion Give them an Regular water litter reduces Photo by Joseph DiTomaso agriculture lands, create fire noninvasive plants. If any of and other and displaces Medium water wildlife habitat inch and they’ll hazards and reduce these invasive plants are already desirable and can create a serious fire and flood desirable plants. Highly flammable and recreational opportunities. in your yard, especially if you live Low water vegetation and increase fire hazard. hazard. Riparian areas are particularly can burn even when green. Areas along TRY PLANTING THESE INSTEAD Existing research indicates that red creeks and streams are particularly take an acre… near a natural area or waterway, California native vulnerable to invasion and the damage you should remove them and varieties (Pennisetum setaceum caused by these plants. vulnerable to invasion and the damage replace them with a suggested alternative. Star jasmine Common yarrow Cinquefoil ‘Rubrum’) are not invasive. caused by this plant. (Trachelospermum jasminoides) (Achillea millefolium) (Potentilla species) Think about why you might plant one of the problem Evergreen, vining Native, perennial Sturdy, unfussy English ivy (Hedera helix) plants in the first place. If it is for appearance, finding a groundcover with finely perennials that TRY PLANTING THESE INSTEAD climbing on an oak tree. replacement is often easy - some of the alternatives Photo by J. M. DiTomaso with glossy, dark divided leaves flower mid- to listed here are selected especially for their similar green leaves and and white flower late spring. Deer grass New Zealand flax Bamboo – clumping varieties only appearance. If you need a plant to fill a functional role, pale yellow, heads. White Leaves are (Muhlenbergia rigens) (Phormium tenax) (Bambusa multiplex) such as a groundcover that grows well in a shady place, pinwheel-shaped flowers in spring, reminiscent of Clumping Large, hardy, fast Rhizomes of the or a border plant that likes full sun, the alternatives listed flowers with a blooms can be strawberry perennial grass growing and clumping Some of these plants show weedy tendencies in the here thrive in the same environments as problem plants. jasmine scent. prolonged by foliage. growing up to 3 requires minimal bamboo stay cutting back old Potentilla garden. For example, English and Algerian ivy can take Both native and non-native plants have been Photo by C. Martus feet tall with 2 care. Many close to the over a yard and damage buildings and fences. When recommended as alternatives in this brochure. Many of flower stocks or glandulosa is a common native forest foot plumes varieties available plant, decreasing birds drop seeds from these ivies near a stream the these alternatives are readily available; others may be mowing. understory perennial in the Sierra rising about the including striking the ability to Pachysandra foothill region. plants can take over, displacing native vegetation and easiest to find in specialty or native plant nurseries. plant. Native stripes of red, become invasive (Pachysandra terminalis) Chris Morris, San Luis Obispo degrading wildlife habitat. As another example Scotch Carpet bugle/Ajuga Americans use it Co. Dept. of Agriculture yellow and Photo by Steve Green like the running Pay close attention to plant names when looking for Evergreen leaves for making baskets. Other Muhlenbergia green. bamboo broom can quickly take over both landscaped and (Ajuga reptans) natural areas on your property. This plant is highly non-invasive alternatives since a few of our are shiny dark Creeping mahonia species can also be good choices. varieties. Dense growth forms good INVASIVEINVASIVE hedges and screens. flammable and can increase the potential of wildfire. recommended plants may have invasive relatives – even green; small This popular (Mahonia repens) in the same genus. white flowers on ground cover California fescue Scotch Brooms create a serious fire hazard Gardeners don’t plant invasive species intentionally. Like 1-2” spikes; spreads quickly Prickly leaves, Blue oat grass withstands shade short clusters of (Festuca californica) in the Sierra Foothill region. other Californians, gardeners have a deep respect for Many of the characteristics that make a plant a by runners, (Helictotrichon sempervirens) and is widely making a mat of flowers in mid- Flowering stalks rise up to 5 feet our state’s rich natural heritage. The good news is that good choice for the garden may also make it a used under dark green to late spring above large clumped grass (2-3 Evergreen, bright blue-gray, narrow most garden plants behave perfectly well in their successful invader: trees. Grows leaves. Blue followed by blue foot tall) in late spring, early leaves in a fountain like clump. In intended roles. By choosing suitable replacements for Missouri Botanical Garden more slowly than flowers appear in spring and early berries; good summer. Striking appearance, spring, stems to 2 feet or taller rise Suggested alternatives for the problem plants, we can save ourselves and our Garden Plants Invasive Plants ivy or periwinkle but has a crisp, neat summer. winter color. good adaptability, with clumps above foliage, bearing straw-colored neighbors trouble and expense while helping to protect Easy to propagate Broad germination flower clusters. invasive garden plants growth form. Photo by Wm. Hewlett holding their shape well California’s landscapes from invasive plants. Establish rapidly Colonizer throughout the year. Photo courtesy GardenSoft Mature early Mature early Also try: Dwarf coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis or cultivars); Creeping manzanita (Arctostaphylos species.); Photo courtesy Santa Barbara Botanical Garden Invasive plants are, by nature, a regional or local Abundant flowers Prolific seeds California wild grape – native (Vitis californica); Vinca minor, which to date has not been found to be invasive; problem. A plant that jumps out of the garden in one Pest/disease tolerant Few natural predators Creeping sage – native (Salvia sonomensis). Also try: California melic - native (Melica californica), giant wild rye (Leymus condensatus) Sierra Foothills Region climate and habitat type may behave perfectly in DontPlantAPest SierraFthills 0307.p65; 031407 Based on a brochure by the SHRUBS TREES Don’t Plant or Share These Plants California Invasive Plant Council DO NOT PLANT! INVASIVE! www.cal-ipc.org DO NOT PLANT! INVASIVE! These additional garden and pond plants have escaped Broom – Scotch, French, Spanish Scarlet wisteria, rattlebox Chinese tallow tree Tree of heaven Salt cedar/Tamarisk into our local agricultural and wildlands. Although these (Cytisus scoparius, Genista monspessulana, Spartium junceum) (Sesbania punicea) (Sapium sebiferum) (Ailanthus altissima) (Tamarix species) may not be sold in local nurseries, some are available on Brooms have invaded over one million acres in California.