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. The plants form Chinese tallow trees Although not A serious riparian the internet for purchase, and others are commonly The flowers produce thousands of seeds that build up in the dense thickets are able to produce commonly sold invader “shared” among gardeners. soil over time. When the seeds germinate they create dense along creeks and a large number of in nurseries, this throughout thickets of plants that obliterate entire plant and animal streams, choking seeds and new tree is California. Uses Water hyacinth Perennial pepperweed/Tall whitetop communities. Brooms also create a serious fire hazard in the out plants that shoots can sprout sometimes excessive Eichhornia crassipes Lepidium latifolium provide wildlife from roots. Seeds “shared” among amounts of Sierra Foothill region and in many areas throughout Populations of this plant expand rapidly forming dense Out competes native vegetation and crops by California. Note: Plants commonly known as “Sweet broom” forage and are dispersed by gardeners water, adds salt Photo by Wendy West mats that clog waterways, alter water oxygen levels, reproducing from underground rhizomes, forming Content developed and funding provided by: (Cytisus spachianus , Cytisus racemosus, Genista racemosa, Photo by Joseph DiTomaso habitat. Seeds birds and in moving Photo by Bill Frost because of its to the soil, provide mosquito habitat and displace native vegetation dense weedy plots. The dried flowers have been used Genista fragrans) are currently not known to be invasive. However, because of are moved from water, where they fast-growing, changes water and habitat. Originally introduced as an aquatic as decoration but growing the plant is not worth the California Native Plant Society – the lack of information on their potential for invading beyond landscaped areas, garden plantings not only by birds, can remain viable shade-producing characteristics. Tree Photo by Joseph DiTomaso courses, we do not recommend them as a substitute for other brooms. but also by floating downstream in for several weeks of heaven is a prolific seed producer diminishes ornamental. risk! El Dorado Chapter waterways. Photo by Joseph DiTomaso while floating. and easily resprouts from roots and wildlife habitat, and increases fire P.O. Box 1948, Placerville, CA 95667 Wetlands, creeks, stumps. Once established, this tree is hazard. Not commonly sold, but Purple loosestrife www.cnps.org rivers and native plant habitat are very difficult to eliminate. Due to its occasionally available. Himalayan blackberry TRY PLANTING THESE INSTEAD particularly vulnerable to infestation by extensive root system it is aggressive Rubus procerus Lythrum salicaria Persists year to year from root buds and from the root Divide Garden Club this tree. enough to cause damage to sewers, Sprawling perennial vine that may expand 10 or more Forsythia Potentilla Sticky monkey flower roadways, sidewalks, and building feet per year, smothering other plants. Identified easily crown. Erect stems, 2 to 4 feet tall, produce purple P.O. Box 478, Georgetown, CA 95634 flowers on spikes. Although not commonly sold locally, (Forsythia species) (Potentilla fruticosa) (Mimulus aurantiacus) foundations. by five leaflets grouped together to form each leaf. this plant is available for purchase on the internet. El Dorado County Often the first Shrubby Plants grow 1 to plant to bloom potentilla, 4 feet tall, Invasive Weeds Management Group TRY PLANTING THESE INSTEAD Oblong spurge in spring, sometimes depending on Sweet fennel (530) 621-5533 or (530) 621-5520 forsythia called cinquefoil, growing Euphorbia oblongata Crape myrtle European white birch Mountain ash The plants form extensive Foeniculum vulgare produces an are fairly conditions. Long cultivated for medicinal and astounding trouble-free Sticky green (Lagerstroemia species) (Betula pendula) (Sorbus species, including creeping root systems, University of California edible uses, this plant has © Monrovia display of bright plants that leaves, with making the plant highly Cooperative Extension Stunning tree, great in a hot area. Upright main native Greene’s mountain ash become widely escaped yellow flowers. thrive in a yellow flowers invasive. The milky white Natural Resources Program Showy summer flowers, good-looking branches, – Sorbus scopulina) throughout the western Dozens of cultivars available. Grows variety of blooming mid- bark and in many cases, brilliant fall weeping side sap is toxic to humans, Photo by Sue Donaldson hemisphere. Especially prevalent http://ceeldorado.ucdavis.edu quickly. conditions. summer to fall. color makes them attractive year branches with a Valued for showy white flowers in horses and cattle. Bright to dark green leaves; yellow clusters and orange to scarlet colored along roadsides. (530) 621-5502 Photo by Aaron Schusteff round. delicate, lacy Western redbud, fruit. Foliage is typically finely cut, Sweet fennel. flowers that bloom cheerfully from late appearance. Oblong spurge. Photo by Bob Case Dalmatian toadflax Photos by Ken Owen Eastern redbud spring through summer. Average mature glossy green and some species have Foxglove good fall color. Linaria genistifolia subspecies dalmatica (Cercis occidentalis, Strawberry tree tree is 30-40 feet tall, Reproduces by seed and from creeping roots. This plant, Digitalis purpurea (Arbutus unedo) Foxglove has escaped cultivation to thrive in open Cercis canadensis) Toyon spreading to half also known as “wild and/or moist sites along roads and in forested areas in Shrub or small (Heteromeles arbutifolia) Dark green, its height. snapdragon” has been used handsome, red- as an ornamental but the the Sierra Nevada foothill region. These plants produce tree, several California stemmed leaves, invasive nature makes it a abundant seed that have been reported to survive in trunks from native, clusters of small Photo by Steve Green the soil for up to 68 years! base, rosy pink evergreen shrub poor garden companion. UCCE Master Gardeners – white, urn- flowers in spring producing El Dorado County shaped flowers and interesting delicate flowers and round red http://ceeldorado.ucdavis.edu/ seed pods and and large Photo by Joseph DiTomaso foliage, which fruit. Can be Master%5FGardener clusters of red Photos by Bob Perry managed as changes color throughout the seasons. berries that (530) 621 -5512 either a shrub, with screening ability if Prefers well-drained soils. Western birds love! Also try: California black walnut – native (Juglans californica hindsii); White alder – native (Alnus rhombifolia for riparian or wet redbud is native to our region. left unpruned, or a tree. Cover photo by Wendy West. All photos from Cal-IPC unless otherwise noted. areas; Sawleaf zelkova (Zelkova serrata); Loquat (Eriobotrya species) Dalmatian toadflax. Photo by Sue Donaldson