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Invasive Plants
Almost every garden is home to at least a few exotic species. Often determining what is (and isn't), however, is difficult, as the definition of exotic (as well as of native) is continually debated. One term that conservationists and naturalists alike do generally agree on though is 'invasive exotics'. These harmful plants threaten native plant communities, degrade fish and wildlife habitat, restrict recreational activity, and reduce agricultural yields if they naturalize in a foreign environment (MnDNR).

Here are a few important questions to ask to determine if a plant is invasive:
  • Is it self-sowing or does it naturalize?
  • Can it spread its seeds far by wind or water (or by being wildlife food)?
  • Are there any natural controls (climate, pests, mainenance)?
  • Does it kill or suppress the growth of surrounding plants (shading them out, poisoning them or out-competing them for food and water)?
 
 
Listed below are several exotic and/or invasive plant species the DNR and EPA recommend avoiding, due to their invasive natures in American soil.

TREES
Amur Cork Tree
Phellodendron amurense

Norway maple
acer platanoides
Amur Maple
Acer ginnala
Siberian Elm
Ulmus pumila
Black Locust
Rominia pseudocacia
Siberian Peashrub
Caragana arborescens
European Alder
Alnus glutinosa
Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus altissima
Goldenraintree
Koelruteria paniculata
White Poplar
Populus alba


SHRUBS AND VINES
Amur Honeysuckle
L. maackii
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
Autumn Olive
Eleagnus umellata
Japanese Spiraea
Spiraea japonica
Burningbush
Euonymus alatus
Japanese Yew
Taxus cuspidata
Butterfly Bush
Budlia davidii
Morrow Honeysuckle
Lonicera morrowi
Common barberry
Berberis vulgaris
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
Common Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Cotoneaster
Cononeaster microphyllus
C. pannosus, C. lacteus
Porcelainberry
Ampelopsis
brevipendunculata
English Ivy
Hedra helix
Privit
Ligustrum vulgare
Glossy Buckthorn
Rhamnus frangula
Russion Olive
Eleagnus angustifolia
Guelder Rose
Viburnum opulus var. opulus
Tartarian Honeysuckle
Lonicera tatarica
Japanese barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Wintercreeper
Euonymus fortunei


GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE PLANTS
Amur silver grass
Miscanthus sacchariflorus
Giant Reed
Phragmites communis
Chinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis
Reed Canary Grass
Phalaris arundinacea
Smooth brome grass
Bromus inermis


FLOWERS AND GROUNDCOVER
Crown Vetch  (or Axseed)
Coronilla varia
Grecian foxglove
Digitalis lanata
Dame’s Rocket
Hesperis matronalis
Japanese Knotweed
Fallopia japonica
Flowering rush
Butomus umbellatus
Myrtle, or Periwinkle
Vinca minor
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Pachysandra
Pachysandra terminalis
Garlic mustard
Alliaria officinalis
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Spotted Knapweed
Centaurea maculosa


HERBACIOUS PLANTS
Birdsfoot trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Leafy spurge
Eupohorbia esula
Bull thistle
Circisum vulgare
Musk or nodding thistle
Carduus nutans
Butter and Eggs or common toadflax
Linaria vulgaris
Orange hawkweed
Hieracium aurantiacum
Canada thistle
Cirsium arvense
Oxeye daisy
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Common tansy
Tanacetum vulgare
Perennial sow thistle
Sonchus arvensis
Cow vetch and hairy vetch
Vicia cracca, V. villosa
Queen Ann’s lace
Daucus carota
Creeping Charlie, ground ivy, or gill-over-the-ground
Glechoma bederacea
White and yellow sweet clover Melitotus alba
M. officinalis
Hoary alyssum
Alliaria petiolata
Wild parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Japanese knotweed
Polygonum cuspidatum
Yellow iris
Iris pseudacorus

Information collected from:
Invasive/Harmful Terrestrial Plants (MnDNR)
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/terrestrialplants/index.html
EPA: Going Native, Homeowner’s Series, sheet #5
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/ecopage/springfieldtwp/Sheet5.pdf
read over the city codes
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Lawn History
A Landscaping Revolution
Getting Started
CAUTION!!!
Invasive Plants
City Codes
Northfield Lawns
Local Resources
Conclusions
Recommended Reading and Links
Literature Cited
Acknowledgments