Homeowners and other land managers can play a critical role in helping to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants. No matter the size of our yard, we can have a direct impact on reducing the introduction of potentially invasive plants into nearby natural areas by simply choosing to plant native or non-invasive plants.
“It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference. In this case, the difference will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America, and the ecosystems that sustain them.” Douglas W. Tallamy.
First, check with your local nurseries. If your local nursery does not stock the native plants you want, ask if they will order the plants for you.
If you are unable to order what you need from a local nursery, then check with your state's Native Plant Society and/or Botanical Society. Be sure you choose species that are native to your part of the country. A plant can be native in one part of America and invasive in another.
- State Native Plant Societies - Center for Plant Conservation
Here are a few websites where you can find additional information:
- PlantRight - California Horticultural Invasives Prevention
- Native Plant Database - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Recommended Species - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Suggested Alternatives to Non-native Invasive Plants - CoastScapes.org
- Oregon Native Plant Alternatives to Invasive Plants - Benton County, Oregon
- Alternatives to Invasive Species - Rhode Island Natural History Survey
- Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping - Virginia.gov
- Invasives Alternatives - U.S. National Arboretum
- Native Plant and Other Alternatives - University of Connecticut
- Landscape Alternatives for Non-native Invasive Plants of the Midwest - Midwest Invasive Plant Network
- Browse Plants - Native Plants Hawaii
- Native Plant Finder - PlantNative
