Invasive Plants in Virginia’s Capital Region and Regional Native Alternatives
Invasive, non-native plants do not provide the same ecosystem services as natives and have a harmful effect on our environment, not only in the suburban community but also in our forests, parks, and other natural areas.
Please do not plant these non-native, invasive species and consider removing them from the landscape. Volunteers and natural resource management staff spend many hours and resources to mitigate the spread and the consequences of these and other invasive species. Although there are many non-native plant species that invade our natural areas, the plants listed below are particularly problematic because they are still available in the trade and are sold and planted throughout the region. Consider planting one of the natives listed here as an alternative to these plants.
Invasives Ailanthus altissima, Tree of Heaven
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Cercis Canadensis, Eastern Redbud
Diospyros virginiana, Common Persimmon
Rhus copallinum, Winged or Shining Sumac
Invasive: Alliaria petiolata, Garlic Mustard
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Aquilegia candensis, Wild or Eastern Red Columbine
Asarum canadense, Wild Ginger
Phlox divaricata, Woodland Phlox
Tiarella cordifolia, Foamflower Viola sp., Violet
Invasive: Ampelopsis brevipedunculata, Porcelain-Berry
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Bignonia capreolata, Crossvine
Gelsemium sempervirens, Carolina or Yellow Jessamine
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Invasive: Celastrus orbiculatus, Oriental Bittersweet
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Euonymus americana, Strawberry Bush
Ilex verticillata, Winterberry
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Parthenocissus quinquifolia, Virginia Creeper
Invasive: Eleagnus umbellata, Autumn Olive
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Baccharis halimifolia, Groundsel
Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush
Clethra alnifolia, Pepperbush
Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire
Sambucus Canadensis, Elderberry
Viburnum acerifolium, nudum, dentatum and prunifolium
Invasive: Ficaria verna, Lesser Celandine
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Chrysogonum virginianum, Green and Gold Packera aurea, Golden Ragwort
Invasive: Lespedeza cuneata, Sericea Lespedeza
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Sorghastrum nutans, Indian Grass
Invasive: Lonicera japonica, Japanese Honeysuckle
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Bignonia capreolata, Cross-vine
Campsis radicans, Trumpet-creeper
Gelsemium sempervirens, Carolina or Yellow Jessamine
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia-creeper
Passiflora incarnata, Purple Passionflower, Maypop
Invasive: Lonicera maackii, Amur Honeysuckle
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Amelanchier arborea, Downy Serviceberry
Callicarpa Americana, American Beautyberry
Clethra alnifolia, Summersweet
Hamamelis virginiana, Witch-hazel
Lindera benzoin, Spicebush Viburnum prunifolium, Black Haw
Invasive: Microstegium vimineum, Japanese Stiltgrass
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Carex pennsylvanica, Pennsylvania Sedge
Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem
Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass
Invasive: Rosa multiflora, Multiflora Rose
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Clethra alnifolia, Pepperbush
Rhododendron periclymenoides, Wild Azalea
Hydrangea arborescens, Wild Hydrangea
Invasive: Wisteria floribunda, Japanese Wisteria and Wisteria sinensis, Chinese Wisteria
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Bignonia capreolata, Cross-vine
Campsis radicans, Trumpet-creeper
Gelsemium sempervirens, Yellow Jessamine
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia-creeper
Passiflora incarnata, Purple Passionflower, Maypop
Wisteria frutescens, American Wisteria
Invasive: Albizia julibrissin, Mimosa, Silk Tree
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Amelanchier spp., Serviceberries
Betula nigra, River Birch
Cercis canadensis, Eastern Redbud
Chionanthus virginicus, White Fringetree
Invasive: Hedera helix, English Ivy
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Asarum canadense, Wild Ginger
Bignonia capreolata, Crossvine
Mitchella repens, Partridge-Berry
Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia-creeper
Packera aurea, Golden or Heartleaf Ragwort
Invasive: Pyrus calleryana, Bradford or Callery Pear
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Amelanchier spp., Serviceberries
Asimina triloba, Pawpaw, Common Pawpaw
Cercis canadensis, Redbud
Cornus florida, Dogwood
Diospyros virginiana, Common Persimmon
Prunus serotina, Black Cherry
Invasive: Euonymus fortunei, Wintercreeper
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Asarum canadense, Wild Ginger
Bignonia capreolata, Crossvine
Gelsemium sempervirens, Carolina or Yellow Jessamine
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Invasive: Miscanthus sinensis, Chinese Silvergrass
Virginia Capital Region Native Alternatives:
Muhlenbergia capillaris, Hair-awn Muhly
Panicum virgatum, Switchgrass
Learn More
Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/invspinfo
USDA National Invasive Species Information Center: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health:
http://www.invasive.org/species/weeds.cfm
Mistaken Identity–Invasive Plants and Their Native Look-Alikes (pub): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_024329.pdf
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas (pub):
https://www.invasive.org/eastern/midatlantic/
