Unused stories
Pest of the Month - Invasive Plants
Everywhere we drive we see hillsides full of purple and yellow flowers in undisturbed areas. Though lovely to look at they just might be “Invasives.” Invasive plants are generally non-natives that infest natural ecosystems, including wildlands, rangelands, and pastures and sometimes your garden. These plants can spread rapidly by seed dispersion, by wind or birds, or by invasive roots, all of which can prevent other plants from growing successfully. Echium candicans, Pride of Madeira, has impressive blue spiked flowers that are valuable for the bees, butterflies and birds. However it multiplies by seed dispersal and multiplies freely, so plant carefully in dry sunny open areas. Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius and French broom flourish with small yellow flowers and are highly invasive, crowding out other vegetation. Highway iceplant or carpobrotus edulis is another invasive to be avoided. A desirable alternative is Oscularia deltoides, pink iceplant. So what can you plant? Plant Right has other suggested alternatives.