Some of the most familiar landscape plants are not as harmless.

Not every plant that looks beautiful in a landscape is good for Indiana's natural environment. According to Purdue Extension, invasive plants are capable of spreading into natural areas, where they compete with native vegetation and can reduce food and habitat for wildlife.

Popular Invasive Plants:

Callery Pear
Burning Bush
Asian bush honeysuckle
Silver Maple

Honestly, it's easy to understand why these plants have become popular. The callery pear is known for its beautiful spring blossoms and fall color. The Burning bush has a beautiful, bright red foliage in autumn. The Asian bush honeysuckle seems appealing, as it grows quickly and can fill in a landscape with little effort.

While the silver maple is native to Indiana, and is not considered invasive in the same way as the others, and is a popular landscape tree because of its rapid growth and ability to provide shade. The Purdue Extension notes that its shallow roots and tendency to lose branches can make it a less-than-ideal choice for some residential landscapes.

Beautiful Doesn't Always Mean Beneficial

The problem is not that these plants are not pretty. The concern is what can happen when certain plants move beyond the places where we intentionally planted them.

Callery pear seeds can be spread by birds, allowing new trees to establish in natural areas. Burning bush can also spread by seed, while Asian bush honeysuckle can form dense thickets that shade out native plants.

What Can Homeowners Do?

Before adding a new tree or shrub to your landscape, take a little time to learn about it. The Purdue Extension offers resources on invasive plants and recommends alternatives that can provide beauty while supporting Indiana's native ecosystems.

The next time you're choosing a plant for your yard, remember: the prettiest choice isn't always the best choice.

By selecting plants that are well-suited to our area, homeowners can create beautiful landscapes while also helping protect the state's native plants, wildlife and natural areas.

Browning Tree Service employs Joshua Browning ISA certified arborist license #KY-9849A who is a proud member of Indiana Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture, serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette, Indiana area.

References

Forestry & Natural Resources

YouTube Video, Burning Bush: FNR-582-WV Burning Bush