Plant This Not That: 7 Native Alternatives to Popular Invasive Plants

Drive through any town in America and you’ll likely spot yards and gardens filled with many flowers, trees and shrubs you recognize. But did you know that some of those iconic plants, while popular, are actually invasive species damaging the native ecosystem? If you find out that the ones growing in your own yard fall into the category of common invasive plants, you can easily swap them for one of these native alternatives.

1. Invasive Plant: Japanese Honeysuckle

Japanese Honeysuckle was originally introduced in the early 1800s to help manage erosion but has since become a bit of a headache in more than half the country. While it smells wonderful and does attract many pollinators, it also grows with such ferocity that it often smothers any other plant in the vicinity.

Native Alternative: Trumpet Honeysuckle

You don’t have to sacrifice sweet-smelling honeysuckle altogether. Replace your Japanese honeysuckle with trumpet honeysuckle (sometimes called coral honeysuckle) instead. It’s native to the South, thrives in zones 4 through 9, and will likely use its beautiful red blooms to beckon hummingbirds into your neighborhood.

See more: How to Start a Pollinator Garden This Spring

2. Invasive Plant: English Ivy

English ivy is a classic cottage garden staple but has developed a reputation for bullying other plants. When spotted in the wild, it often shows evidence of choking out trees and covering the ground with such a dense blanket of leaves that nothing can push its way through to the surface. It’s even worse when planted in cities and high-traffic areas, as it quickly becomes a safe haven for rats and carpenter ants.

Native Alternative: Cross Vine

Say farewell to the problems English ivy can cause with the cross vine. This fast-growing climber will cover a stone wall, fence or siding in no time and give you the same mature, aged landscaping aesthetic with fewer headaches. Despite being an evergreen, you will see it produce showy yellow and mahogany flowers, which are known to attract everything from bees and butterflies to hummingbirds.

3. Invasive Plant: Burning Bush

Burning bush is a prolific ornamental shrub that also has a habit of pushing out native plants. While birds love this Asian native, it has started to overtake a number of native landscapes east of the Mississippi.

Native Alternative: Chokecherry

If you love the vibrant colors of the burning bush but would rather avoid the hassle of a powerful invasive plant, opt for the chokecherry. Native to most of North America, this plant does well in zones 2 through 10 and shows off its bright crimson and orange leaves when the temperatures drop in autumn and beautiful red berries in the summertime.

See more: 12 Flower Varieties to Plant This Spring

4. Invasive Plant: Rose of Sharon

Otherwise known as Hibiscus syriacus, the Rose of Sharon is another beautiful but invasive plant known for contributing to the decline of many endangered and threatened species in the country. It’s a densely branched shrub that is commonly found in the eastern United States.

Native Alternative: Scarlet Mallow

Scarlet mallows are woody perennials that can be recognized by their five-petaled red flowers. They bloom about halfway through summer and into early autumn and can grow as tall as 6 feet. Consider planting this showstopper in a shrub border so you can enjoy its dramatic display of summer blossoms.

5. Invasive Plant: Queen Anne’s Lace

You can probably recognize the delicate flowers on Queen Anne’s Lace, but it’s sadly on the invasive species list as well. It will often take over newly restored areas before other native plants have a chance to take root, thanks to its rapid growth and spread.

Native Alternative: Hairy Angelica

Similar in appearance but praised for its native origins, Hairy Angelica is an admittedly chuckle-worthy name for the perennial flower that blooms throughout early summer, producing delicate white flowers like Queen Anne’s Lace. Plant these as bare roots in zones 3 through 10 and enjoy their aromatic blossoms throughout the summer months.

See more: How to Plant and Grow a Cut Flower Garden

6. Invasive Plant: Butterfly Bush

The appropriately named butterfly bush certainly attracts butterflies (among other pollinators). But this Chinese native plant has proven to have a knack for spreading seed and taking over everything from woodlands to streams in at least 20 states. Oddly enough, it’s only a food source for adult butterflies, which means it has nothing to offer to butterfly larvae.

Native Alternative: Buttonbush

Buttonbush is an odd-looking shrub that can tower at heights of 12 feet or more when it reaches maturity. It’s a treasured choice for wet areas and attracts butterflies of all stages with its round, fragrant clusters of white blooms. In addition to attracting more butterflies, the buttonbush will likely bring you more opportunities for birdwatching as well since it is known for attracting more than 24 different species.

7. Invasive Plant: Large Periwinkle

Large periwinkle is a quick-moving groundcover plant that people love for its bold purple blossoms and resilience to grow in the shade. While it’s been around for a long time (originally introduced in North America in the 1700s), it’s actually native to Europe and Africa and crowds out many beneficial native plants in forests and wetlands alike.

Native Alternative: Mountain Spurge

Mountain spurge is an evergreen perennial that not only makes a good replacement for large periwinkle but also grows slowly and steadily – and equally well in shaded landscapes. Producing white spring flowers and flourishing in zones 6 through 8, this is a beautiful alternative that also uses its petals and leaves to attract pollinators.