 Having native plants in your garden or on your boulevard is an amazing way to help support pollinators, but how can you tell the difference between invasive plants and native plants? What are invasive plants anyways? We have put together a handy little guide on some of the most common invasive plants and some native plants which can be planted instead! (As well as some general tips on how to support pollinators in the spirit of Pollinator Week!) What are Invasive Species? Why are Native Species Important? Invasive or non-native species are plants and trees which have come from around the world and other regions of Canada. Sometimes these species have been intentionally brought here, but many of them have been introduced to our ecosystems accidentally. Invasive species can throw off the natural balance of our ecosystem and they can take over habitats, deplete our native plant populations, cause erosion, and reduce the beneficial fungus in soil that native plants depend on for survival. Non-native species do not provide native wildlife, or pollinators, with the complete or correct nutrients, cover or nesting sites, so being able to identify invasive species and work towards replacing them with native species is very important! A lot of invasive plants can be very difficult to control once they are introduced to the ecosystem, and many have aggressive root systems, produce a lot of seeds, and do not have natural enemies to keep their population controlled. The best way to control invasive plants is to avoid planting them in your gardens or natural areas. This can be tricky, as many non-native plants are still sold at nurseries, or are introduced through new topsoil, other plants, or wind and wildlife. Control methods can differ depending on location, species, and life cycle factors, and some species may need to be hit with two or more repetitive control methods. Here are some general methods which can help to control and remove invasive plants.
Common and Glossy BuckthornCommon or European Buckthorn and Glossy Buckthorn are non-native shrubs that are extremely invasive and are a serious threat to natural areas. They are tall shrubs or trees which reach 2-7m in height, and 25cm in diameter. Common Buckthorn has dull green, oval leaves with tiny teeth along the edge, and are often pointed or folded at the tip. Glossy Buckthorn has thin, glossy, oval leaves with a shiny upper surface. Their leaves are larger than the Common Buckthorn leaves but are not toothed. They are one of the most common and destructive invasive shrubs in Ontario. They can easily overrun areas and native plants, and they increase the nitrogen levels in soil, which can hurt native plants and help the invasive Buckthorn to grow. The most effective way to control mature Buckthorn shrubs is by removing the root ball; where hand pulling and constant weed-whacking is the most effective way to control seedlings. A native alternative to Buckthorn which is good for birds is the Chokecherry; an adaptable, suckering shrub which has fragrant white flower clusters in the spring for pollinators, and dark red, pea-sized berries for birds in the late summer. Chokecherry berries feed many birds, including Thrushes, Woodpeckers, Wild Turkey, Scarlet Tanagers and many more; and the berries are edible for humans too! DayliliesDaylilies have recently been classified as invasive, because they are aggressive and adaptable plants that easily out-compete native species. Their dense root systems leave no space for other plants and they grow back easily from small pieces left behind in soil. Daylilies are still sold in nurseries, but there are many other native alternatives which also boast showy flowers and don’t take a lot of care to thrive! Pale Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susan’s are great native alternatives to Daylilies, attracting bees and butterflies with their showy flowers. Michigan Lilies are a great native lily alternative, and they boast beautiful orange flowers that attract hummingbirds. Butterfly BushDespite its name, the Butterfly Bush does very little to support the lifecycle of butterflies because it does not feed their young. It only provides nectar to adult butterflies, but does not feed caterpillars of any butterfly species in North America. The name is a clever marketing tactic, and there are native plant alternatives which support butterflies and their caterpillars. Without caterpillars we don't get butterflies! The Butterfly Bush is not invasive yet in Ontario, but there is potential for it to become invasive over time. Swamp Milkweed and New England Asters are great alternatives to the Butterfly Bush. Milkweed is an important host plant for Monarch butterflies, and New England Aster's feed caterpillars of around 112 different butterfly and moth species, as well as providing a source of nectar and pollen for migrating Monarchs. However, milkweed can be poisonous to livestock. Ragweed V.S. Goldenrod Although it is not invasive in Ontario, Ragweed is a noxious weed and a significant invader which can cause crop loss and trigger allergies. Ragweed produces tall, slender stems with green flower spikes, and their flowers do not contain nectar. Ragweed does not attract or need pollinators; the wind spreads its light pollen grains for several miles, and its pollen is a hazardous allergen that can cause allergic reactions including sneezing, sniffling, runny nose and itchy eyes. Unfortunately, Goldenrod is often mistaken for Ragweed, and is demonized because of this confusion. Goldenrod is a native wildflower which has long tapered leaves and thickly clustered, vivid yellow flowers (with the exception of 2 Ontario species which have white flowers). They are relatively large in comparison to Ragweed, which only has green blooms. Goldenrod pollen is actually too heavy to be transported by wind, and it is not a hazardous allergen. It is an important plant which hosts many beautiful pollinators, including butterflies and moths. Goldenrod species thrive in many different soil conditions, and they are amazing host plants for over 115 different butterfly and moth species! Their heavy pollen is especially important for pollinators like Bumblebee Queens who need food sources before their hibernation, as well as Monarch Butterflies who use it to replenish their energy during their migrations. With Ontario being home to almost 30 Goldenrod species, there are many beneficial Goldenrod species that we can plant to help our pollinators, while also enjoying their beautiful yellow and white flower blooms. For more information on invasive plants and native plant alternatives, here are some great resources!
Other Tips to Help Pollinators Alongside adding some native plants to your gardens when you can, there are other ways to help support pollinators year round! In the spring, do as little cleanup as possible, as late as possible. This will give native bees time to emerge from their ground nests. Leave some fallen logs, even if they are rotten, as they are great homes for insects and buffets for birds. Leave the leaves where they fall in your garden beds! Clearing fallen leaves and dead vegetation during spring or fall clean-up may disrupt the overwintering of pollinators. Fallen leaves also provide food for soil microbes, and standing stems provide habitats for native bees. Plant numerous, continuously blooming native plants in bunches and close to one another. This provides pollinators with a continuous source of pollen and nectar, and means you will have blooms from spring to fall. Bare soil invites weeds in, and is prone to erosion and desiccation, which negatively affects soil health by creating unfavourable conditions for beneficial social microorganisms. Limit your use of mulch, as it prevents native bees from nesting in soil. Try to use organic mulch that is not dyed and includes chopped leaves, manure, straw, grass clippings, newspaper, and compost. Don’t overuse mulch, and don’t volcano mulch (pile wood mulch high, tight, and thick around tree trunks) around the base of trees; it prevents water and oxygen from reaching tree’s roots, and can kill the tree. Add some rocks in sunny spaces for butterflies to bask on, and provide water by filling a birdbath or shallow dish of water with half submerged rocks (or purchase a bee bath/bee water cup). This will allow bees and butterflies to drink without drowning in the water, and will help them continue to pollinate our important plants and crops! All of this information can seem overwhelming, but we don’t need to do it all at once to successfully help out our pollinators and native plants. Pick a small step and begin there; maybe replace that Buckthorn bush with some Goldenrod or Chokeberry, or try leaving fallen leaves in the garden this year. Each little act of care and mindfulness helps, and learning about how to help is step one!
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