Don’t Plant These! US Native Alternatives to Common Invasive Ornamentals

Understanding the Invasive Plant Problem

Invasive plants are more than just a gardening nuisance—they’re ecological disruptors. These species, often brought from other continents for ornamental use, can outcompete native plants for resources like sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. Once they escape our gardens, invasives form dense thickets or ground cover that native species simply can’t penetrate. This means fewer wildflowers, less food for bees and butterflies, and disrupted habitats for birds and mammals. It’s a domino effect that starts with a single plant but can reshape entire natural communities. What’s most shocking is how quickly invasives can spread—sometimes traveling miles via seeds carried by wind, water, or wildlife.

Why Native Plants Matter for Biodiversity

Native plants are the backbone of local ecosystems. Over thousands of years, they’ve evolved alongside native insects, birds, and mammals, forming complex, interdependent relationships. When you plant natives, you’re helping to preserve this delicate balance. For example, a native oak tree can support hundreds of species of caterpillars, while a non-native ornamental tree may support only a handful. That’s a huge difference for hungry baby birds! Native plants also tend to require less water and fertilizer, making them a smart choice for eco-conscious gardeners. The ripple effect of planting natives is tangible—more butterflies fluttering, more birds singing, and a healthier, more resilient landscape.

Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus): A Fiery Menace

The burning bush is famous for its blazing red fall foliage, but its beauty hides a dangerous secret. This shrub, native to Asia, spreads like wildfire in US forests and fields. Its seeds are eagerly eaten and dispersed by birds, allowing it to invade wild areas where it quickly forms dense stands. These thickets block sunlight and crowd out native understory plants, leading to a sharp decline in biodiversity. If you’re looking for that same autumn brilliance, consider planting native alternatives like the eastern ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) or the vibrant chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia). These natives offer spectacular color and support local wildlife without the ecological fallout.

Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii): Trouble Beneath the Thorns

Japanese barberry’s spiny branches and rich red leaves have made it a landscaping staple, but beneath its thorns lurks a problem. This invasive shrub creates dense, almost impenetrable thickets that not only displace native plants but also provide the perfect habitat for ticks—raising concerns about Lyme disease. Its shade-tolerant nature means it can thrive under forest canopies, spreading far beyond garden borders. Instead, try the American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), with its stunning purple berries and graceful arching stems. Beautyberry is a magnet for birds and butterflies, and you’ll never have to worry about it taking over the woods.

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides): The Shade That Smothers

At first glance, the Norway maple looks much like its native cousin, but its impact is anything but friendly. This fast-growing tree casts a deep, dense shade that suppresses the growth of native wildflowers and grasses beneath its canopy. Its shallow roots compete aggressively for water and nutrients, further stressing local plants. Over time, forests dominated by Norway maples become eerily silent, with fewer birds and butterflies. For shade and beauty without the side effects, plant a native sugar maple (Acer saccharum) or red maple (Acer rubrum). These trees provide brilliant fall color and vital habitat for a host of native species.

English Ivy (Hedera helix): A Climber with Consequences

English ivy is prized for its ability to cover walls and fences in a carpet of green, but its aggressive growth is bad news for both gardens and forests. Once established, ivy can smother ground-layer plants and climb trees, eventually killing them by blocking sunlight and adding weight that causes branches to break. Ivy-covered trees are more likely to fall in storms, creating hazards and further disrupting habitats. Instead, consider planting Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a native vine with striking red fall foliage and blue berries that feed birds. Virginia creeper offers the same lush coverage without the ecological risks.

Privet (Ligustrum spp.): The Living Fence that Invades

Privet hedges are a common sight in American suburbs, valued for their dense growth and easy shaping. But once privet escapes cultivation, it spreads rapidly in natural areas, forming dense stands that shut out native shrubs and wildflowers. These monocultures reduce plant diversity and diminish food sources for local wildlife. Replace privet with native inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) or fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica). Both form attractive, wildlife-friendly hedges that fit beautifully into any landscape and won’t take over the neighborhood.

Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana): Beauty with a Bitter Legacy

The Bradford pear is known for its frothy spring blossoms and neat, rounded shape, but it’s become one of the most problematic trees in the US. Its weak branches break easily in storms, and its seeds are spread widely by birds, leading to thickets of wild pears that crowd out native trees and shrubs. These trees often escape urban areas and invade open fields and forests, where they’re hard to control. Native serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) offers delicate white flowers, tasty fruit, and brilliant fall color, all while supporting native pollinators and birds.

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): Sweet Scent, Sour Impact

Japanese honeysuckle’s fragrant flowers and rapid growth have made it a favorite for arbors and fences, but it’s one of the worst invaders in the eastern US. This vine climbs and strangles trees and shrubs, forming thick mats that block out sunlight and prevent forest regeneration. Native trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a gorgeous substitute, boasting clusters of red or orange tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Unlike its invasive cousin, trumpet honeysuckle coexists peacefully with other plants and never takes over the yard.

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria): A Wetland Wrecker

With its tall spikes of magenta flowers, purple loosestrife dazzles gardeners and passersby alike. But in wetlands, it’s a disaster. This invasive perennial spreads rapidly, displacing native cattails and sedges, altering water flow, and reducing habitat for birds, amphibians, and insects. Wetlands overrun by loosestrife lose much of their ecological value. Swap it out for native blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) or swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), both of which thrive in moist soils and provide essential habitat for pollinators and aquatic wildlife.

Miscanthus Grass (Miscanthus sinensis): Plumes on the Loose

Ornamental grasses like miscanthus are popular for their feathery plumes and graceful form, but they can easily escape cultivation. Once in the wild, miscanthus crowds out native grasses and alters fire regimes, making habitats less hospitable for wildlife. The seeds can be carried for miles by the wind, making control difficult. For a safer option, try planting little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). These native grasses offer year-round interest and vital habitat for birds and beneficial insects.

Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis, Wisteria floribunda): The Vine That Won’t Let Go

Few plants are as breathtaking as wisteria in bloom, but the Asian species can quickly get out of hand. Their woody vines wrap around trees and structures, sometimes pulling down fences or smothering entire groves. In the wild, wisteria forms dense thickets that are nearly impossible to remove. For the same enchanting look, choose American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), which has all the beauty but is far less aggressive and supports native wildlife. Its fragrant blossoms are a treat for both gardeners and pollinators.

Japanese Spirea (Spiraea japonica): Pink Peril in the Garden

Japanese spirea is loved for its clusters of pink flowers and easy care, but it’s become a common invader in natural areas. Once established, it spreads rapidly, forming dense colonies that shade out native plants and alter soil chemistry. Native alternatives like meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) or New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) offer similar beauty with clusters of white or pink blooms, and they support a wide variety of native insects and birds.

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana, including Bradford): An Urban Invasion

Beyond the Bradford, other cultivars of Callery pear have also invaded urban and rural landscapes. These trees produce abundant fruit that wildlife spread far and wide, leading to dense thickets in fields and along roadsides. The resulting monocultures push out diverse communities of native flora. Instead, plant a native redbud (Cercis canadensis) or hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) for gorgeous spring blooms, wildlife benefits, and none of the invasive headaches.

Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii): Beauty That Betrays Butterflies

Butterfly bush is often marketed as a pollinator plant, but its ecological value is overrated. While adult butterflies might visit the flowers, the plant provides no food for caterpillars, and it spreads aggressively in some regions, outcompeting native nectar sources. Over time, this can actually reduce butterfly populations. Swap butterfly bush for native options like butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) or blazing star (Liatris spicata), which provide nectar and host food for butterflies at every life stage.

Periwinkle (Vinca minor): The Evergreen That Won’t Quit

Periwinkle’s glossy green leaves and blue-purple flowers make it a favorite ground cover, but it spreads relentlessly into woodlands, crowding out spring ephemerals and other native wildflowers. Its thick mats can prevent tree seedlings from establishing, altering forest regeneration for decades. For an equally lovely but non-invasive ground cover, try wild ginger (Asarum canadense) or foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), both of which form lush carpets and support native wildlife.

Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Garden with Native Plants

Choosing native plants isn’t just about avoiding trouble—it’s about inviting life into your garden. Native flowers buzz with bees, native grasses sway with butterflies, and native shrubs burst with berries for birds. By making the switch, you help restore natural food webs, prevent the spread of invasive species, and create a living landscape that’s part of the solution, not the problem. Imagine stepping outside to a yard alive with birdsong and butterfly wings, knowing you’re making a real difference for the environment. Isn’t it time we all planted with purpose?