Alternatives to Midwest Invasive Species

Invasive species (species that are known to be invasive in the Midwest-usually non-native, that are able to establish themselves within existing native plant communities and are posing a threat to the integrity of the community) & alternatives

Ailanthus altissima (Tree of heaven); Suitable for many soils

• Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky coffeetree) NS Large compound leaves; waxy brown pods;tolerant of wide range of conditions
• Cladrastis lutea (Yellowwood) NS White, fragrant, pendulous flowers; yellow fall color;brown pods; tolerant of urban environments

Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian olive); Small tree, silver foliage
Elaeagnus umbellatus(Autumn olive); Large shrub, silver foliage

• Shepherdia argentea (Buffaloberry) NS Silver-green leaves; silver stems;red to yellow fruit good for wildlife
• Salix sericea (Silky willow) NS Silver, lance-shaped leaves
• Salix elaeagnos (Rosemary willow) E Stems and undersides of leaves silver-gray;leaves look like long rosemary leaves
• Cornus sericea (Redosier dogwood) NS Bright red stems; small white flowers;good for hedges or mass plantings
• Elaeagnus commutata (Silverberry) NS Silver foliage; very tolerant of dry conditions

Ligustrum vulgare, L. obtusifolium (Privet); Hedge or border plantings

• Viburnum prunifolium (Black haw) NS Small white flowers in dense clusters;dark blue berries persist into winter

Lonicera morrowii, L.tatarica, L. x bella (Bush honeysuckles); Fast growth; red fruit for birds and wildlife

• Amelanchier spp. (Serviceberry) NS/E White flowers; edible fruit; fall color
• Calycanthus floridus (Carolina allspice) NS Fragrant, red flowers; aromatic leaves
• Kolkwitzia amabilis (Beautybush) E Pale, pink flowers; yellow to redfall color; grows quickly
• Sambucus canadensis (American elderberry) NS White flowers; purple-black fruit;attracts birds and butterflies
• Sambucus pubens (American red elderberry) NS Yellowish white flowers; red fruit
• Lonicera dioica (Red honeysuckle) NS Yellow flowers; red fruit; bluish foliage;attracts birds, bees, and butterflies
• Lonicera involucrata (Twinberry) NS Pale yellow flowers; deep green foliage;small shrub; erosion control
• Stephanandra incisa (Cultleaf stephanandra) E Arching stems; purple-red to orange fall color

Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle); Larger size than above Lonicera spp.

• Amelanchier spp. (Serviceberry) NS/E White flowers; edible fruit; fall color
• Heptacodium miconioides (Seven son flower) E Clusters of fragrant white flowers,purplish-red fruits persist through winter
• Kolkwitzia amabilis (Beautybush) E Pale, pink flowers; yellow to red fall color;grows quickly

Rhamnus cathartica, R. frangula (Common and glossy buckthorns); Hedge or border plantings

• Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam) NS Small tree; orange to red fall color
• Corylus americana (American hazelnut) NS Shade-tolerant; edible nut
• Rhamnus alnifolia (Dwarf alder) NS Shiny, ovate leaves; red to black berries
• Thuja occidentalis (American arborvitae) NS Dense, evergreen foliage;good as a screen or hedge plant
• Thuja plicata (Western arborvitae) NS Dense, evergreen foliage;good as a screen or hedge plant

Ulmus pumila (Siberian elm); Fast-growing, tolerant of wide range of conditions

• Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) E Shade tree; tolerant of urban environments
• Ulmus americana (American elm) NC Spreading, arching branches; good street orshade tree (disease resistant cultivars, including 'Princeton' 'Valley Forge' and 'New Harmony')
• Ulmus hybrids (Hybrid elm) E Arching branches; good street or shade tree(disease resistant cultivars, including 'Princeton'‘Valley Forge' and 'New Harmony')

Butomus umbellatus (Flowering rush); Water gardens

• Juncus effusus (Common rush, soft rush) NS Stiff, pale green stems; grows in clumps;good for water gardens
• Schoenoplectus pungens NS Stiff, triangular stems;Common threesquare) good for water gardens
• Schoenoplectus acutus (Hardstem bulrush) NS Stiff, round stems; good for water gardens

Celastrus orbiculatus* (Oriental bittersweet); Attractive red and orange fruit

• Celastrus scandens (American bittersweet) NS Leaves, fruit, and growth habit similarto Celastrus orbiculatus

Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed); Rapid growth; plumes of white flowers

• Aruncus dioicus (Goat’s beard) NS Showy plumes of white flowers;& E grows 3 to 5 feet tall
• Cornus sericea (Red stemmed dogwood) NS Bright red stems; small white flowers;good for hedges or mass plantings
• Persicaria polymorpha (Giant fleeceflower) E Showy plumes of white flowers;grows 3 to 5 feet tall

Hesperis matronalis (Dame’s rocket); Bright pink and white flowers

• Phlox paniculata 'Katherine', Shortwood', 'David' NC Narrow, pointed leaves; forms dense(Summer phlox) clumps; variety of flower colors
• Phlox carolina 'Reine du Jour' (Summer phlox) NC Bright pink flowers; mildew-resistant

Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle); Fragrant flowers, climbing vine red or black berries;
attractive to birds (more serious problem in southern part of region)

• Lonicera sempervirens NS Coral, red, or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers;(Scarlet honeysuckle or trumpet honeysuckle)
• Lonicera x heckrottii NS/E Pink flowers buds open to show(Everblooming honeysuckle) hybrid yellow center; fragrant flowers
• Lonicera dioica (Red honeysuckle or NS Yellow flowers; red fruitNorthern bush honeysuckle)

Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife, including all cultivars); Bright pink-purple flowers

• Liatris spicata 'Kobold', Liatris pychnostachya NC Showy spikes of purple flowers(Blazing stars)
• Vernonia fasciculata (Prairie ironweed) NC Dense purple flowers; stiff stems
• Lobelia cardinalis, incl. hybrid cultivars NC Tubular red flowers; attracts hummingbirds(Cardinal flower)
• Asclepias incarnata (Swamp milkweed) NS Flat clusters of pink-red flowers;grows well in wet areas

Phalaris arundinacea (Ribbon grass); Tufted growth form; easy to grow

• Spartina pectinata 'Aureomarginata' NC Golden edged foliage; purple flowers(Variegated prairie cord grass)
• Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance' (Ice dance sedge) NC Stiff, dark green leaves; drought tolerant
• Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn moor grass) E Forms tufted mound; drought tolerant

Watch species (species that currently pose a lesser threat in our region)  & alternatives

Acer platanoides*(Norway maple); Shade tree; tolerant of urban environments

• Acer miyabei (Miyabei maple) E Small to medium tree; yellow fall color
• Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) E Shade tree; tolerant of urban environments
• Acer freemanii (Hybrid maple) NS Fast-growing; yellow to red fall colorhybrid
• Tilia cordata (Littleleaf linden) E Good street tree; tolerant of urban environments

Berberis thunbergii*(Japanese barberry); Red fall color; tolerant of urban conditions

• Tilia cordata (Littleleaf linden) E Good street tree; tolerant of urban environments
• Buxus spp. (Boxwood 'Glencoe' or 'Green Velvet') E Dense, evergreen foliage; small round leaves; fragrant
• Ribes alpinum 'Green Mound' (Alpine currant) E Dense foliage; lobed leaves; yellow fall color
• Fothergilla major(Large fothergilla) NS White flower clusters; red to orange fall color
• Cotoneaster divaricatus (Spreading cotoneaster) E Small, pale pink flowers; red to purple fall color
• Ilex verticillata (Winterberry holly) NS Bright red berries in dense clusters, 
• persist through winter; attracts birds
• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo' (Ninebark) NC Dark, reddish-purple leaves; pinkish-white flowers
• Rosa rubrifolia (Redleaf rose) E Purplish-red foliage; pink flowers
• Rosa knockout (Knockout roses) E Brilliant flower color; disease resistant

Berberis thunbergii, purple forms* (Japanese barberry); Purple foliage; tolerant of urban conditions

• Cotinus coggygria (Smoke bush) E Airy pink flowers; purple fall foliage
• Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo,' 'Summer Wine,' NC Dark, reddish-purple leaves;Coppertina' and 'Center glow'(Ninebark) pinkish-white flowers
• Weigela florida 'Wine and Roses' E Dark burgundy-purple foliage (Weigela 'Wine and Roses') and rosy pink flowers

Euonymus alatus*(Burning bush); Red fall color; red fruit

• Aronia arbutifolia (Red chokeberry) NS Brilliant red fall color; red berries
• Aronia melanocarpa (Black chokeberry) NS Brilliant red fall color; black berries
• Fothergilla major(Large fothergilla) NS White flower clusters; red to orange fall color
• Fothergilla 'Mt. Airy' and 'Blue Shadow' NC Abundant white flowers; red to purple fall color(Fothergilla cultivars)
• Itea virginica (Virginia sweetpire) NS Bright red fall color; green or red winter twigs; arched branches; fragrant white flower clusters
• Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw) NS Small white flowers in dense clusters; dark blue berries persist into winter
• Rhus copallinum (Shining sumac) NS Brilliant red autumn color; drooping red berry clusters; glossy leaves
• Euonymus americanus (Strawberry bush) NS Red capsules open to reveal orange-red berries;green stems in winter
• Euonymus atropurpureus (Eastern wahoo) NS Dark purple fall foliage; red fruits are attractive to wildlife
• Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' (Japanese maple) E Brilliant red fall color; small tree

Maintain species (species that need maintenance to prevent invasion) & alternative

Euonymus fortunei, trailing types*(Wintercreeper); Groundcover

• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry) NS Evergreen groundcover; large red berries
• Asarum canadensis (Wild ginger) NS Herbaceous groundcover; heart-shaped leaves
• Asarum europaeum (Wild ginger) E Herbaceous groundcover; glossy, heart-shaped leaves
• Helleborus spp. (Hellebore) E Evergreen; shiny, dark green foliage

Vinca minor*(Periwinkle); Groundcover

• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry) NS Evergreen groundcover; large red berries
• Waldsteinia fragarioides (Barren strawberry) NS Evergreen groundcover; butter-yellow flowers in spring