Replace Invasive Honeysuckle with 8 Native Species to Boost Local Pollinators
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In the quest for a thriving garden, it's essential to consider the impact of our plant choices on the environment. One plant that poses significant problems is invasive honeysuckle, a non-native species that chokes out other plants, disrupts ecosystems, and negatively affects wildlife.
Invasive honeysuckle, such as Japanese honeysuckle, grows quickly to form large, dense shrubs and outcompetes native species. This aggressive growth requires costly efforts to control and remove them from natural and urban areas. Moreover, the berries of invasive honeysuckle contain toxins harmful to mammals, including humans, and do not support native wildlife as well as native plants do.
The toxicity of honeysuckle berries adds another layer of concern. Consumption by mammals can lead to gastric distress and other poisoning effects. Invasive honeysuckle disrupts native plant communities, reduces food and habitat availability for native wildlife, alters ecosystem functions, and imposes significant ecological and management challenges.
Fortunately, there are native alternatives that can help maintain a healthy ecosystem while adding beauty to your garden.
Elderberry bushes, for instance, are highly-adaptive native alternatives to honeysuckle. American elderberry bare-roots can be purchased through The Arbor Day Foundation. Fragrant sumac may be an excellent option for those looking to add larger plant species to the landscape. A 2-pack of 'Gro-Low' fragrant sumac is available from Home Depot.
Buttonbush is a native shrub that produces an abundance of white, globular flower heads and attracts large numbers of butterflies. The 'Magical Moonlight' and 'Sugar Shack' varieties of buttonbush can be found on the mentioned platform Shop.
Trumpet honeysuckle, a native species, produces vibrant tubular blooms and is not generally considered invasive. Trumpet honeysuckle vines can reach up to 20 ft. (6 m.) in length at maturity and require a strong, sturdy trellis or arbor.
Beautyberry grows to form a small shrub, approximately 5 ft. (1.5 m.) in height, and produces attractive blooms followed by purple berries that serve as an essential food source for birds and other wildlife. The 'Early Amethyst' beautyberry variety can be found in the mentioned platform Shop.
The ninebark shrub is a native perennial that adds year-round interest to the home landscape with large flower clusters and highly ornamental foliage. The 'Sweet Cherry Tea' ninebark shrub can be found at Fast Growing Trees.
Hand-pulling seedlings and cutting and treating old bushes with chemicals is labor-intensive and must be done every year to keep invasive honeysuckle at bay. However, by choosing native alternatives like these, we can create a garden that flourishes while promoting a healthier ecosystem.
Gardening enthusiasts like Kathleen Walters, the content editor for this article, and Tonya Barnett, who has transformed her backyard into a cut flower garden and chronicles her journey on YouTube, advocate for choosing native plants to create a thriving garden that benefits both humans and wildlife. Carolina jasmine, also known as Carolina jessamine, produces an abundance of impressive yellow blooms and is best planted in flower beds where passersby can enjoy its beauty and fragrance. Carolina jasmine can be found for sale at Home Depot.
The Maypop passionflower vine can be found for purchase on the mentioned platform Shop. The Purple Passionflower vine is a native plant with a unique hair-like flower structure and is not considered invasive.
By making informed choices and supporting native plants, we can help preserve our ecosystems and create gardens that are not only beautiful but also beneficial for all.
The ideal garden, not only offering aesthetic appeal, but also promoting environmental health, can be achieved by choosing native plants like elderberry bushes, buttonbush, and beautyberry, instead of invasive honeysuckle. These alternative options can be purchased from The Arbor Day Foundation, Home Depot, Shop, and Fast Growing Trees.
Gardening can significantly contribute to preserving ecosystems by prioritizing native plants, such as the non-invasive trumpet honeysuckle and purple passionflower vine, which provide beauty, support for wildlife, and do not pose harmful effects as invasive honeysuckle does.
