ELIMINATE POLLUTANTS

14. Go Native

Japanese Barberry, both invasive around Twin Lakes and a tick haven and plant linked to lyme disease cases

What is a native plant?​

A native plant is one that occurs naturally and has existed for many years in an area.

What is an invasive plant?​

An invasive plant is a non-native plant that grows out of control, out-competing native plants for nutrients, sunlight, and space. Invasives cause harm to the environment and the economy.​ Some can even be dangerous for our health.​

Invasive Yellow Iris which can be seen at the Twin Lakes Spillway and around the lakes

Invaders for Sale

You may already know about common roadside invaders, such as Japanese knotweed, but it may surprise you that many popular plants still sold at garden and nursery centers are also invasive.

Here is a list of plants you should avoid buying. The worst are bolded.

Autumn olive Elaeagnus umbellata 

Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia 

Border privet Ligustrum obtusifolium 

Burning bush Euonymus alatus​

Callery (Bradford) pear Pyrus calleryana

Common buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica

Periwinkle Vinca minor​

Creeping jenny Lysimachia nummularia​

Crown vetch Coronilla varia​

English ivy Hedera helix​

Garden loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris​

Burning bush is very popular for its red fall color, but it is extremely invasive and has been banned in some states.​

Goutweed Aegopodium podagraria

Cup plant Silphium perfoliatum

Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergii

Multiflora rose Rosa multiflora

Norway maple Acer platanoides​

Oriental bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus

Porcelainberry Ampelopsis brevipedunculata

Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria

Shrubby honeysuckles Lonicera spp.​

Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei​

Yellow iris Iris pseudacorus​

Hummingbirds​

  • Cardinal flower

  • Wild columbine Fireweed​

  • Bee balm

  • Beardtongue

  • Trumpet honeysuckle​

Salt Tolerant​

  • Winterberry

  • Summersweet

  • Arrowwood Elderberry

  • Spicebush

  • Witch hazel​

The shallow roots of turf grass are better than bare soil, but​ pale in comparison to​ native plants. Kentucky​ bluegrass is shown in the drawing above.​

Wild Birds 

  • Dogwoods 

  • Viburnums 

  • Bayberry 

  • Serviceberry 

  • Chokeberry 

  • Cutleaf coneflower

Why go native?​

Native plants are low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and environmentally friendly. With all the benefits native plants provide, you can feel good about enjoying the beautiful landscape all around you.​

Native plant benefits​

They help protect Pennsylvania’s biodiversity by providing food and habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.​
They save you time and money. Natives have evolved in our environment over many years and are already adapted to survive here. They are low maintenance and don’t need lots of fertilizer, pesticides, or watering.​

They help reduce stormwater runoff. The deep roots of natives absorb and filter runoff more effectively than the short roots of many turf grasses and other ornamental plants.​

The extensive roots of native plants improve the​ ability of the soil to infiltrate water and to resist​ erosion. In fact, native plants often have more​ biomass below the surface than above. For​ example, little bluestem, a great bunch grass​ for the garden, only grows 2-3’ tall, but can have​ roots up to 8 feet deep.​

Butterflies​

  • Milkweeds

  • Joe-pye weeds​

  • Asters​

  • New York ironweed

  • Woodland sunflower

  • Goldenrods

Deer Resistant​

  • Blue vervain 

  • Foamflower 

  • Culvers root 

  • Sensitive fern

  • Bergamot

So many choices...​

Native plants come in just about every size, shape, and color. You can design a native plant garden for interest in all 4 seasons, or a theme garden based on form or function. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.