Photo © Mary Free
Identifying and removing invasive plants from our home landscapes has become an essential part of gardening. Such plants can be more than bothersome, they can smother or outcompete the native and non-invasive ornamental plants. Gardeners know we have to pick our battles with invasive plants and stay informed on the best methods to tackle them. The following is a compilation of resources about invasive plants on the mgnv.org website.
MGNV Resources
Pages
- Invasive Plants and Better Alternatives:
Factsheets describing selected plants that have been categorized as invasive by Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, and the state of Virginia. The fact sheet for each of these plants describes problems associated with the invasive plant and suggests alternative native species that have similar characteristics and which, additionally, provide benefits for wildlife. The plants on this list are grown frequently in home gardens and are unfortunately often available in nurseries and big box stores. - Invasive Plants in Northern Virginia:
This series of posts, written by Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills, describe introduced non-native plants found primarily in parks and natural areas. - Learn More about Invasive Plants:
These websites and online versions of publications are helpful resources, providing more complete lists of invasive plants and techniques for their management, including preventive measures, as well as manual, mechanical, cultural, chemical, and biological controls.
Posts
References
- Invasive and Exotic Species of North America
University of Georgia: Invasive.org - Invasive Plant Atlas of the USA
University of Georgia - Miller, J. H. (2006). Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Asheville, NC (P.O. Box 2680, Asheville 28802): U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.
- Miller, James H., et al. A field guide for the identification of invasive plants in southern forests. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station, 2015.
- Miller, J. H., Manning, S. T., & Enloe, S. F. (2010). A management guide for invasive plants in southern forests. Asheville, NC: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.
- Weed Identification Guide
Virginia Tech
Virtual Classes
- Invasive Plants & Native Alternatives – Elaine Mills
Zoom session, recorded November 13, 2020 - Invasives in Your Garden – Alyssa Ford Morel
Zoom session, recorded August 5, 2022
Alexandria & Arlington
As of March 2019, 116 invasive species have been documented in the City of Alexandria.
On Arlington County’s most recent list, 77 plants are categorized as invasive, with another 32 designated as posing a threat.