Alternatives to non-native, invasive woody plants.

Transcription

1 Berberis Alternatives to non-native, invasive woody plants. Euonymus Lonicera Pyrus

2 1. Severe Threat Exotic plant species which possess characteristics of invasive species and spread easily into native plant communities and displace native vegetation; includes species which are or could become widespread in Kentucky. Ailanthus altissima Celastrus orbiculata Elaeagnus umbellata Euonymus alatus Euonymus fortunei Ligustrum sinense, L. vulgare Lonicera japonica Lonicera maackii, L. morrowi, L. tatarica Polygonum cuspidatum Pueraria lobata Rosa multiflora Tree-of-heaven Oriental bittersweet Autumn olive Winged euonymus, burningbush Winter creeper Privet Japanese honeysuckle Amur, Morrow s, and tartarian honeysuckles Japanese knotweed Kudzu Multiflora rose Ailanthus Paulownia Celastrus

3 2. Significant Threat Exotic plant species which possess some invasive characteristics, but have less impact on native plant communities; may have the capacity to invade natural communities along disturbance corridors, or to spread from stands in disturbed sites into undisturbed areas, but have fewer characteristics of invasive species than #1 rank. Ailanthus Akebia quinata Albizia julibrissin Berberis thunbergii Hedera helix Morus alba Paulownia tomentosa Populus alba Spiraea japonica Vinca minor Akebia Mimosa Japanese barberry English ivy White mulberry Chinese empress-tree White poplar Japanese spiraea Lesser periwinkle Paulownia Celastrus

4 In this section, non-native invasive plants will be described for each landscape use category followed by native alternative species. Plants grouped by landscape use Ailanthus Vines Groundcovers Flowering shrubs Shrubs as hedges Paulownia Flowering trees Shade trees Celastrus

5 Invasive Vines Kudzu Pueraria montana Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Oriental bittersweet Celastrus orbiculata Akebia Akebia quinata Plants grouped by landscape use Japanese wisteria Wisteria floribunda Kudzu

6 Pueraria montana Kudzu Kudzu is synonymous with non-native invasive plants. It was originally introduced for animal forage, as a soil erosion plant and as a quick ornamental pergola cover to provide shade to southern gardens. It is native to Japan and China and was introduced at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial fair.

7 Pueraria montana Kudzu Kudzu escaped cultivation and literally covers and smothers all vegetation in its path.

8 Pueraria montana Kudzu Kudzu continues to expand into thousands of acres per year and is most sever in the warmer southern states. It has been termed the vine that ate the south.

9 Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Japanese honeysuckle is a vigorous, twining vine with fragrant flowers that was used as a ground cover or on a trellis. It has escaped and become very invasive. Native to Japan, China and Korea. Introduced in 1806.

10 Celastrus orbiculatus Chinese bittersweet Chinese bittersweet is a twinning vine grown for the showy fruits and seeds. These vines are very aggressive and will cover large trees and choke out understory vegetation. Native to Japan and China. Introduced in 1870.

11 Akebia quinata Fiveleaf akebia Fiveleaf akebia is a fast growing vine used to cover garden structures such as pergolas. The flowers are very unique and fragrant. Unfortunately, plants have escaped and its fast growth presenting a problem to native vegetation. Native to Japan, Korea and China. Introduced in 1845.

12 Wisteria floribunda Japanese wisteria Wisteria is one of the showiest vines in flower. It climbs by twining around trees or supports. It is a native to Japan and introduced to cultivation in 1830.

13 Wisteria floribunda Japanese wisteria Japanese and Chinese wisteria have become invasive in some areas. This image is typical of an escaped wisteria climbing into neighboring vegetation. Because of the twining habit of the wisteria vine, the supporting trees can be damaged or killed.

14 Alternative Native Vines American bittersweet Celastrus scandens Coral honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens American wisteria Wisteria frutescens Kentucky wisteria Wisteria macrostachys Plants grouped by landscape use Crossvine Bignonia capreolata Coral honeysuckle

15 Celastrus scandens American bittersweet This Kentucky native is a representative of a chiefly subtropical and tropical genus. It is a twinning vine grown for the showy fruits and seeds. Should be grown on a support such as a trellis.

16 Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet honeysuckle A Kentucky native twining vine with slender, trumpet-shaped flowers. Plants make excellent ornamentals and are not as aggressive as its Asian counterparts. Unfortunately the flowers are nonfragrant.

17 Wisteria frutescens American wisteria American wisteria blooms in June later than the Asiatic wisterias. It is also a less vigorous vine. Native to Southeastern North America including Kentucky.

18 Wisteria frutescens American wisteria Amethyst Falls has become a very popular cultivar as gardeners look for less invasive alternatives to W. floribunda and W. sinensis.

19 Wisteria macrostachys Kentucky wisteria The Kentucky wisteria is similar to American wisteria and is sometimes placed in the same species. It may be more winter hardy than the American wisteria. Clara Mack is a white flowering form.

20 Bignonia capreolata Crossvine Crossvine is a Kentucky native that is covered in May with orange to red trumpetshaped flowers with a yellow throat.

21 Plants grouped by landscape use Invasive Groundcovers Purple wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei English ivy Hedera helix Lesser periwinkle Vinca minor Wintercreeper

22 Euonymus fortunei Purple wintercreeper Wintercreeper is an evergreen creeping vine that has been used as a ground cover in the juvenile form and a small shrub in the mature adult form. Many cultivars are available. Plants can be grown in full sun to deep shade.

23 Euonymus fortunei Purple wintercreeper Purple wintercreeper is one of the most serious non-native invasive plants. Plants are very aggressive as the vine roots wherever it touches the ground where it outcompetes native species. It also climbs trees and creates dense shade that reduces competing plant growth. Native to China and introduced to cultivation in 1907.

24 Hedera helix English ivy English ivy is a shade tolerant, evergreen trailing and climbing vine grown as a ground cover. It climbs structures and trees using adventitious roots as hold fasts. English ivy tends to escape in isolated pockets, but where it has escaped it can become the dominant understory species in shaded areas. Native to Europe and Russia where it has been cultivated since ancient times.

25 Periwinkle is an evergreen, shade tolerant, trailing woody perennial used as a groundcover. Blue or white flowers appear in early spring. Plants root as they trail along the ground choking out less aggressive native shade requiring plants. It is native to Europe and Western Asia. It has been cultivated since the Roman times. Vinca minor Lesser periwinkle

26 Alternative Native Groundcovers Allegheny spurge Pachysandra procumbens Solomon s seal Polygonatum biflorum Wild ginger Asarum canadensis Plants grouped by landscape use Yellowroot Zanthorhiza simplicissima Allegheny spurge

27 Pachysandra procumbens Allegheny spurge Allegheny spurge is a Kentucky native that makes a great groundcover for a shady area. The white flowers are fragrant and appear in spring above the foliage.

28 Pachysandra procumbens Allegheny spurge The leaves may be all green or spotted and can persist through the winter.

29 Polygonatum biflorum Solomon s seal Solonon s seal is a herbaceous perennial native to Kentucky that makes an excellent groundcover for shady to part-sun areas. The tubular white flowers hang in pairs and appear in the spring.

30 Polygonatum biflorum Solomon s seal Solomon s seal pairs well with other woodland natives like alumroot (Heuchera). The fruits are blue-black that hang below the leaves.

31 Asarum canadensis Wild ginger Wild ginger is a common understory plant in Kentucky woodlands. It makes an excellent groundcover for shade or partial sun areas.

32 Asarum canadensis Wild ginger The leaves are heart-shaped and obscure the dark purple flowers.

33 Zanthoxylum simplicissima Yellowroot Yellowroot is a low growing Kentucky native plant used as a ground cover. Spreads from underground stems. Native to moist wooded areas of eastern North America.

34 Zanthoxylum simplicissima Yellowroot The flowers are purple brown and appear in spring before the leaves emerge.

35 Zanthoxylum simplicissima Yellowroot The celery-shaped leaves have a yellow fall color. Yellowroot is a very vigorous grower and the exposed root is yellow.