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| Lake Ann Pathway Photo by: Audrey Menninga |
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Invasive Species Network News
Fall is in the air and the summer is leaving as quickly as it came. We hope you get outside and enjoy the slightly cooler temps and colors to come. In this month's issue you will find information on a new sterile cultivar of Japanese Barberry called Crimson Cutie and barberry's reevaluation on the Go Beyond Beauty list, a glimpse at the last few summer flowers in bloom, and an update on black swallow wort.
Yours in Conservation,
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 Volunteer Opportunities & Upcoming Events
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Evaluating the Berberis WorryFree Crimson Cutie The newest Japanese barberry cultivar
ISN was recently asked to reevaluate Japanese barberry being on its list of "no sell" plants within the
Go Beyond Program due to the development of a new cultivar that is supposed to be sterile and non-invasive. This variety, called the "Crimson Cutie", certainly does sound like the best of both worlds - a plant that doesn't spread...and deer will not eat it! The full description is as follows:
Crimson Cutie represents the first in a series of non-invasive Japanese barberries bred and tested by the University of Connecticut. Living up to its WorryFree collection name, Crimson Cutie will not produce nuisance seedlings or spread to unwanted areas. Approved for sale in New York State by the Department of Environmental Conservation. This replacement for Crimson Pygmy is excellent as an accent or foundation plant in addition to low hedge and border uses. Definitely not a favorite of deer.
ISN is always willing to reevaluate its priority species, especially when it comes to asking participants not to sell one - if there truly is a better (and safe!) alternative, as an organization, we feel it should be considered. Because Japanese barberry is currently a high priority invasive species, we decided to survey all Go Beyond Beauty participants to gather additional opinions on this somewhat sensitive plant subject. Nearly 50 businesses and individuals were polled regarding the new barberry cultivar - what is your opinion/concern? Should ISN remove it from the "no sell" list? Should ISN even have authority when it comes to regulating something that is considered "non-invasive"? There was varying response but the majority want us to wait and see what happens before changing anything.
There was some concern that such a new plant cannot be confirmed as "safe" without a proper observation period. Additionally, if "safe" barberries are still being sold, it will be increasingly difficult to distinguish between the invasive and non-invasive varieties when ISN is conducting site visits to determine necessary treatments. While Go Beyond Beauty has always run on the honor system and ISN completely trusts its participants to sell and buy the non-invasive cultivar, the process of identifying plants outside the program parameters becomes extremely complicated.
ISN agrees with the majority and has chosen to wait until further notice before adjusting the "no sell" list. That being said, this evaluation process will be ongoing and this decision may be adjusted in the future. Recently, the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) released a short article on this topic that provides more examples supporting the decision ISN has made - scroll to the bottom of the article in the above link to learn more.
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The Few In Bloom
Summer may be on it's way out, but don't forget to take in the late bloomers of the summer season! The bees and butterflies are gathering as much pollen and nectar as they can before the colder temperatures hit.
Around ISN's home at the Boardman River Nature Center you will find Michigan natives such as sneezeweed, joe-pye, great blue lobelia, and more still in bloom. Asters, like sky blue and New England asters, are just starting to bloom, being among our last wild flowers.
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Honeybee on sneezeweed at the Boardman River Nature Center
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Black Swallow-Wort Update
Since last month, ISN has collected permissions signed by land owners who are known to have black swallow-wort on their property, conducted treatments, and followed up with community members. In all, over half of the properties have been treated - thanks to all who helped make this happen.
Take a look at this
Nature Change video to learn more about the first verified location in Grand Traverse County. If you think you have black swallow-wort on your property, be sure to submit it to
MISIN and contact ISN at
rkoteskey@gtcd.org to let them know.
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Black Swallow-wort
Grand Traverse County 2018 |
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Go Beyond Beauty
For many people, a garden's purpose begins and ends with beauty. However, we believe it is possible to create beautiful spaces that transcend beauty alone. Did you know that many of the plants that are most invasive in local natural areas originally arrived as ornamental garden plants? You can prevent the introduction and spread of invasives by purchasing plants at local nurseries and through landscapers that have committed to not selling high-threat invasive ornamental plants. Additionally, commit to not using invasives in your own landscape. Let's make Northwest Michigan an example of natural beauty, wildlife habitat, healthy waters, and bountiful gardens that inspires across the state of Michigan... and beyond!
We invite all nurseries, landscapers, businesses, organizations, and concerned landowners that are located in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee Counties to participate in
Go Beyond Beauty
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Find ISN on Instagram and Facebook!
Help the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network get seen and heard-follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Social media is a great way to share with our friends and family. Let them know your interest in ISN by following us and liking our pages. The more you get involved with ISN and our social media, the more your friends and family will learn about why and how habitat matters. Sharing posts from our page is also a great way to get others around you to see what ISN is up to and to further educate them on topics such as invasive species and habitat.
Thanks for your support!
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Invasive Species In The News
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