Checking the Spread of Invasive Plants

Invasive plants like English Ivy or Garlic Mustard can have detrimental effects on Northwest native plant and animal communities. The invasives out-compete native plants for nutrients and thereby disturb food chains and reduce biodiversity.

Butterfly Bush is a common invasive plant that originated in China and Japan but now proliferates in Oregon and Washington. It is a large bush with pink, purple, or blue flowers. From yards and gardens, they have spread to forest boundaries, streams, and road shoulders, endangering native landscapes in those areas.

Photograph of a Blooming Butterfly Bush courtesy of Tom Forney, OR Dept of Agriculture

The City of Portland has an anti-invasive policy and is actively trying to eliminate plants like the Butterfly Bush on city-owned sites. It is important for home owners to do the same. At City Steward, we aim to help reduce the negative impact of invasives in our area. One of our service offerings is removing invasive plants and replacing them with natives that will strive and contribute to the vitality of our ecosystem.

The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services has a great reference for those interested in learning more about controlling invasive plants on their property. Here is a link to the city’s “Invasive Plant Management Strategy” as well as a comprehensive list of nuisance and prohibited plants, and the natives that can be planted instead.