If you’ve spent time in a garden center or chatting with a plant-loving neighbor lately, chances are you’ve heard the word “invasive” tossed around. Maybe even with a sigh or a headshake. Gardeners (and ecologists) talk a lot about invasive plants, and for good reason. These aren’t just aggressive growers or a nuisance in the garden. Invasive plants are a major threat to the health of our local ecosystems, and believe it or not, the plants we choose at home really do make a difference.
What Is an Invasive Plant, Exactly?
An invasive plant is a non-native species that spreads aggressively and causes harm to the environment, economy, or even human health. These plants aren’t just new to an area, they take over, pushing out the native species that have evolved here over thousands of years and that our local wildlife depends on.
The City of Portland’s Environmental Services sums it up well:
“Invasive plants cause biological pollution by reducing plant species diversity. Habitat loss and invasive plants are the leading causes of native biodiversity loss.”
That’s a pretty serious ripple effect for a plant that might look innocent—or even attractive—at first glance.
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
So… Why Should I Worry About Invasives in My Garden?
It’s easy to think invasives are more of a “forest” or “parkland” problem. But they often start in home landscapes. Gardeners plant them—sometimes unknowingly—because they’re fast-growing, low-maintenance, or just plain pretty. (Looking at you, English ivy and Japanese honeysuckle.) But once those plants escape our fences and hedges, they spread. And spread. And spread.
Here are five big reasons to be cautious… And to care.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
1. They Harm Water Quality
Some invasive plants, like English ivy (Hedera helix) or creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), may look like a lush groundcover solution, but beneath the surface, they don’t do much to hold the soil in place. Their shallow roots can’t stabilize the earth the way a mix of trees, shrubs, and native groundcovers can.
This lack of root structure leads to increased erosion, which sends sediment into our streams and rivers, making water murky and degrading aquatic habitats. It’s like pulling the rug out from under our local waterways. And that has consequences for everything from fish to frogs to freshwater mussels.
In fact, invasive plants along streambanks, like Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), block the growth of native trees that provide shade. Less shade means warmer water, and that’s bad news for temperature-sensitive fish like trout.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
2. They Disrupt Wildlife Habitat
Healthy ecosystems depend on a diverse mix of plant species. When invasives move in, they create monocultures, areas where only one species dominates. That’s bad news for native wildlife.
Why? Because many animals rely on native plants for food, shelter, and nesting. When the plants disappear, so does the wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation estimates that 42% of endangered species are at risk because of invasive species.
A good example? Monarch butterflies. Their caterpillars feed only on milkweed. If your yard is overrun with invasive vines or shrubs, there’s no room for milkweed, which means no food for monarchs.
Kudzu (Pueraria montana)
3. They Smother Trees (Literally)
Some invasive vines, like kudzu (Pueraria montana) or wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), grow so aggressively that they climb trees, cover them in dense mats of foliage, and block sunlight from reaching the leaves. Without photosynthesis, the trees weaken, and often die.
Others, like English ivy, add dangerous weight to tree canopies. In a storm, a tree covered in ivy is far more likely to suffer a blowdown.
That’s not just a problem for the tree, it’s a safety hazard for homes, too.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
4. They Increase Fire Risk
It might not be top of mind here in WNC, but invasive plants can raise the frequency and intensity of wildfires. How?
They often grow in dense, flammable mats. And when they climb trees, they act like ladders, helping ground fires reach the canopy. Think about ivy, honeysuckle, or kudzu; all of them can connect the ground layer with treetops, making fires harder to control and more damaging.
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
5. They’re Expensive
Beyond the environmental toll, there’s a major economic cost to invasive plants. The U.S. spends an estimated $21 billion per year managing invasive species, especially in agriculture and land management. That’s money that affects taxpayers, farmers, and communities alike.
But here’s the thing: The most cost-effective way to deal with invasives is before they spread, by not planting them in the first place and by removing them early, while it’s still manageable.
Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana)
What Can You Do About It?
The good news? Plenty. You don’t have to be a biologist or forest ranger to make a big impact. Every gardener has a part to play in protecting our native landscapes.
Here’s where to start:
✅ Learn to Identify Invasive Plants
You don’t need to memorize every Latin name (though we won’t stop you), but becoming familiar with the top offenders in our area—like kudzu, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, English ivy, and Bradford pear—is a great first step.
The North Carolina Native Plant Society and NC State Extension have fantastic resources and lists of both invasives and recommended native alternatives.
✅ Choose Native Plants
Native plants are adapted to our region, support local wildlife, and play nicely with their neighbors. They tend to be lower maintenance once established, too.
If you’re not sure where to begin, ask us at B.B. Barns! We carry a wide selection of native shrubs, trees, and perennials that provide year-round interest without harming the ecosystem.
✅ Remove Invasives from Your Property
Start small. Even replacing a patch of ivy with native groundcovers like green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) or Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) makes a difference. Need help identifying what’s invasive? Bring a photo to us at B.B. Barns, or check online tools like the NC Extension’s plant database.
✅ Spread the Word
Invasives often end up in gardens simply because people don’t know they’re a problem. Share what you learn with neighbors, garden clubs, or your HOA. Awareness is key.
Start Where You Are
Tackling invasive plants can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: Every gardener has the power to improve their little patch of the planet.
Removing even one invasive vine, or choosing a native tree over a non-native one, sends ripples of positive change into the environment. Pollinators benefit. Birds thrive. Streams run cleaner. And we all get to enjoy a more vibrant, diverse, and beautiful landscape.
So next time you’re planting something new, take a moment to think beyond the blooms. Consider the bigger picture. Because when we garden with intention, we’re not just creating something lovely, we’re making a difference.
Let’s grow something better. Together.
