Invasive Plants in Northern Virginia 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.
Invasive: Acer platanoides, Norway Maple
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Acer rubrum, Red Maple
Quercus spp., Oaks
Tilia americana, Basswood
Invasive: Akebia quinata, Chocolate Vine or Five-leaf Akebia
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Gelsemium sempervirens, Carolina or Yellow Jessamine
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Bignonia capreolata, Crossvine
Invasive: Ampelopsis brevipedunculata, Porcelain-Berry [shown in banner]
NoVA Native Alternatives:
See alternatives listed above for Akebia
Invasive: Berberis thunbergii, Japanese Barberry
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Ilex glabra, Inkberry Holly
Ilex verticillata, Winterberry Holly
Viburnum dentatum, Arrowwood Viburnum
Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire
Invasive: Phyllostachys aurea, Golden Bamboo, Fishpole Bamboo, Walking Stick Bamboo
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Redcedar
Invasive: Humulus lupulus `Aureus’ , Golden Hops Vine
NoVA Native Alternatives:
See alternatives listed above for Akebia
Invasive: Liriope muscari, Liriope
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Carex pensylvanica and flaccosperma, Pennsylvania and Blue Wood Sedge
Elymus virginicus, Virginia Wildrye
Elymus hystrix, Bottlebrush Grass
Invasive: Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem
Invasive: Pyrus calleryana, Bradford Pear
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Amelanchier spp., serviceberries
Crataegus spp., hawthorns;
Cercis canadensis, Redbud
Cornus florida, Dogwood
Invasive: Hedera helix, English Ivy
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia Creeper
Packera aurea, Golden Ragwort
Ferns
Creeping Phloxes
Asarum canadense, Wild Ginger
Invasive: Euonymous alatus, Burning Bush
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Vaccinium spp., Blueberries
Viburnum spp.
Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire
Invasive: Euonymus fortunei, Wintercreeper
NoVA Native Alternatives:
see English Ivy above.
Invasive: Lonicera japonica, Japanese (Hall’s) Honeysuckle
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet Honeysuckle
Gelsemium sempervirens, Yellow Jessamine
Bignonia capreolata, Crossvine
Invasive: Wisteria floribunda and Wisteria sinensis
NoVA Native Alternatives:
Wisteria frutescens, American Wisteria
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/
