Recommended Native Alternatives to Invasive Plant Species

Invasive plant species multiply and spread faster in comparison to our native species due to their longer growing season and shorter dormancy period. Many of the species of highest ecological concern, originated as landscape plants chosen for their aesthetic appeal. Overtime, these invasive plants have made their way to our forests, are out-competing our native species, and are hindering the forest’s ability to regenerate native species. To learn more about why invasive plants species are an ecological problem, read our other blog post, “Why Invasive Species Management is Important”.

Below are some commonly planted invasive species in Indiana and some suggestions of native (to Indiana) alternatives to plant in their place. There are a number of other invasive landscape plants not featured in this article. For more invasive plant species and alternatives, visit INPS’s Top Garden Invasives.

1. Invasive: Calery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

1. Native Alternative: flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

2. Invasive: Norway maple (Acer platanoides)

2. Native Alternative: sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

3. Invasive: Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

3. Native Alternative: black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

4. Invasive: mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)

4. Native Alternative: Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)

5. Invasive: English ivy (Hedera helix)

5. Native Alternative: Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) 

6. Invasive: Eastern burning bush (Euonymus atropurpureus)

6. Native Alternative: blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium)