Did you know that the Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), Bradford Pear Tree (Callery pear), and Chinese Silvergrass (miscanthus) are all invasive plants you should avoid? These and many other plants sold in local stores are attractive, but unfortunately they are spreading out of yards and damaging natural spaces.

 

Over recent decades, the NJ forests that we depend on for drinking water, stormwater runoff suppression, carbon storage, and outdoor recreation have become seriously stressed by invasive plants and are at risk of losing their ability to regenerate.

 

To protect our forests, please don’t use any plants on this Do Not Plant List created by the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team. The more of these that we plant, the more they spread. Ideally please plant native plants instead.

 

Native plants and local wildlife evolved together. Native plant communities are a non-replaceable source of food and habitat to sustain our insects, birds, and other wildlife populations. Because they evolved with local soils and climate, they are also low-maintenance and their deep roots minimize stormwater runoff.

 

Going Native is an excellent guide that can help you select attractive native plants that provide essential food and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife. Nurseries that can ship local native plants to your doorstep include Toadshade Wildflower Farm, Wild Ridge Plants, Pinelands Direct Native Plants, and Izel Native Plants.