August: Replace Invasives with Natives!
Master Gardeners always advise planting natives, especially instead of invasive species. A handy California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website makes it easy to identify an invasive plant and choose an appropriate replacement.
Let’s say you have the deceivingly named “Tree of Heaven” (Ailanthus altissima) in your yard (condolences if you do). If you click on the CDFW link above, and then click on the Tree of Heaven link, you’ll find the history of this fast-growing tree, learn why it’s a problem in both domestic and wild landscapes, and see what native alternatives you can plant in its stead.
Currently, the CDFW website contains information about the following problem plants: Big Periwinkle; English Ivy; Giant Reed; Iceplant; Onion Grass; Pampas Grass; Red Sesbania; Russian Olive; and Tree-of-Heaven. They will periodically add new pages to highlight other species to avoid.
For a more complete list of invasives in California, please visit the California Invasive Plant Council’s Invasive Plant Inventory Database.
We thank you for doing your part to plant native species, which grow happily here. Our native wildlife, including pollinators, will thank you too.
Key-of-Heaven photo by Jim Morefield.
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