Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - October 09, 2007
From: Swanzey, NH
Region: Northeast
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Controlling invasives and using natives in New Hampshire
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What ideas would you have for marrying the subjects of native plants and invasives? This summer I volunteered to work with our town planner and recycling director on a new initiative called SNIP-IT!: Swanzey Nips Invasive Plants in Town! We were going to use the Recycling Center for a demonstration site because the free compost and woodchips piles have Japanese knotweed beside them. However, after a tour of the recycling center, I found 12 different areas of knotweed. We want to be successful removing invasives, and the only practical approach for these huge infestations is herbicide. The second issue is our town has had much development the past 15 years, and new homeowners landscaped with invasives like burning bush and Japanese barberry (NH now has a law against these plants). I've also seen colt's foot and Bouncing Bet making inroads. Help!ANSWER:
The State of New Hampshire is very active in its campaign against invasive plant species through its Department of Agriculture Invasive Species Program and cooperatively with the US Department of Agriculture's National Invasive Species Center. There is a wealth of information on the webpages of these organizations about laws and regulations regarding invasive species, lists of invasive species, programs dealing with invasive species and government officials involved.One possibility for combining programs on native plants and invasives is to launch an educational campaign targeted at developers, landscape professionals and the general public urging the use of native alternatives to invasive landscape plants. There are several publications available that address this issue:
1. "Kick the Invasive Exotic Gardening Habit with Great Native Plant Alternatives" from the US Arboretum
2. "Invasive Plant Species Are Among the Greatest Threats to the Integrity of Natural Areas" from the New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS)
3. "Alternatives to Invasive Landscape Plants" from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service
4. "Alternatives to Invasive Ornamental Plant Species" from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
5. "Invasive Plant Information for Vermont: Alternatives to Upland Quarantined Invasive Species" from the University of Vermont Extension Service/Vermont Master Gardeners
6. "Earthworks Alternative Plant List for Exotic Invasive Plants of Eastern Massachusetts" from the Earthworks Project—Boston
7. "Invasive Plant Information for Gardeners" from the National Biological Information Infrastructure
8. "Control of Invasive Non-Native Plants" from the Maryland Native Plant Society
9. Burrell, C. Colston. 2006. "Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants." published by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
More Invasive Plants Questions
Distinguishing non-native Wisteria from Austin
June 25, 2012 - How do I distinguish a native wisteria from a non-native wisteria?
view the full question and answer
Identification of fast-growing weeds with orange flowers
July 14, 2013 - I have fast growing plants (weeds?) in my heavily wooded backyard. They reach heights of over 6 ft and have orange flowers. I have spent hours searching the web today with no success -the closest thin...
view the full question and answer
Control of King Ranch Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum)
November 21, 2007 - What is the best way to get rid of King Ranch Grass (an invasive plant) on my half acre property? I felt like mowing just encouraged more seed heads to pop up.
view the full question and answer
Non-native, invasive peanut butter tree from Canby, OR
July 17, 2012 - I too have a peanut butter tree with the pink and white blooms, its about 5 years old and is beautiful, but 2 weeks ago it started wilting and losing all its leaves, I am afraid it is dying. Can I sav...
view the full question and answer
Weeds in Buffalograss from Edmond OK
September 20, 2012 - We have a patch of buffalograss surrounded by patio/flower garden/vegetable garden. We like B-grass, but are getting a lot of weeds despite preemergents, and some bermuda had appeared.
Are there h...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |