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Show us your smarts! Think you can spot which one is the Chesapeake Bay region native plant, and which one is the imposter?

Plant This, Pull That

Purple loosestrife spreads rapidly, produces more than 2 million seeds per year, and has no natural predators. It crowds out native plants like Bee balm, which attracts pollinators, repels mosquitos, and can even be used to make bergamot tea.

Bee Balm!

Choose the native plant.

Pampas grass is an invasive plant not native to the Chesapeake Bay region. It has sharp leaves and can even be a fire hazard during dry seasons. Muhlygrass is a native alternative that provides the same textural element for your landscape.

Muhlygrass!

What's in a name? "Japanese" might have been a giveaway. Japanese knotweed is a non-native plant, which is difficult to get rid of once it's growing. The willow is native here in the Chesapeake Bay area!

Virginia willow!

Although these two plants look similar, Japanese barberry is a highly invasive plant that degrades the soil and attracts vermin like mice and ticks carrying Lyme disease.

Winterberry!

Here's a good tip for plant shopping: when you're at a nursery, look at the Latin name for the plant. The blue flag iris is "Iris virginica", which can tell you that it is native to the Chesapeake Bay area.

Blue flag iris!

Chinese privet dominates the landscape it invades and chokes out shrubs and other native plants that provide critical wildlife habitat.

Oakleaf hydrangea!

Yes, even the orange day lilies so common to see in your yard are a non-native plant. Their growth is difficult to control, but replace them with purple coneflowers, and you'll have a pop of color that attracts native pollinators!

Purple coneflower!

Although the ox-eye daisy is a common roadside flower, black-eyed Susans are the native wildflower that attracts bees and butterflies.

Black-eyed Susan!

English ivy is an invasive vine that will engulf trees, fences, and native plants. Virginia creeper is a much better option for climbing vines.

Virginia creeper!

Although normally the name "weed" makes you think of a plant that doesn't belong, butterfly-weed is a sweet treat for native pollinators and a great plant to have in your yard.

Butterfly-weed!

Last one! Choose the native plant.

As you can see, non-native invasive plants can be destructive to your local streams and ecosystems, and can be very difficult to manage once established. Using native plants in your yard will improve environmental quality and aesthetics, and save you money on lawn chemicals and water.   
It’s easy to gradually shift to using native species in your yard and help protect your local water quality. Learn more at www.runoffbusters.org/

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Plant This, Pull That

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