Swap out invasives for these native Maine plants
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is native to Maine and has brilliant red fall foliage, making it a strong alternative to invasive burning bush (Euonymus alatus).
By Kerry Lewis
LIKE FASHION, plants fall in and out of favor depending on the viewpoint and knowledge of the gardener. Scores of plants have been introduced to our gardens with good intentions and have since proven themselves to be undesirable for a variety of reasons, ecological harm being a major factor.
Many New England gardens contain plant material that has been imported from abroad for purely aesthetic reasons, and which, having no natural predators here in the United States, is not set within a balanced ecosystem. Some of these plants, like Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), are now wreaking havoc in our woodland ecosystems. Although burning bush is now listed as an invasive species in over 20 states and banned in many others, its spread is exacerbated by bird consumption. Its seeds can easily have higher germination rates than some of our native groundcovers and shrubs, leaving a barren landscape with a much more limited pollinator or habitat value.
A review of the plants now banned for sale in Maine reveals a who’s-who of species commonly found in our local gardens and popularized in suburban planting design: burning bush, barberry (Berberis spp.), border privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium), and bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana), among others. As ecological stewards, it is important to be aware of how our planting choices affect our properties and the wider ecosystem we live in. It may be difficult to learn that some plant material we grew up admiring is now on the “bad list,” but there are more ecologically appropriate species that will achieve the same (or greater!) grandeur in seasonal display.
Plants that were previously considered good “co-habitators” can become problematic as our world changes and warms. Learning about various native plants and how they work in our landscapes can help you become a more informed consumer.
There are a myriad of choices out there for planting—why not choose ones that both add ecological benefits to the garden and look incredible?
Download this list of invasive plants that are of special concern or prohibited from sale in the state from Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry:
native plant alternatives for maine and new england
Here are some of the biggest ecological offenders and suitable replacement species that offer rich, exciting seasonal display and have more pollinator/habitat value.
BURNING BUSH
Euonymus alatus
Traits: 10–15 inches high and wide, ornamental plant, bright red fall foliage, drought tolerant
Replace burning bush with these native alternatives:
Canadian Serviceberry — Amelanchier canadensis
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry — Amelanchier × grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’
Red Chokeberry — Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’
Staghorn Sumac — Rhus typhina
Highbush Blueberry — Vaccinium corymbosum
American Cranberry Bush — Viburnum opulus var. americanum
Arrowwood Viburnum — Viburnum dentatum
Barberries
Berberis spp.
Traits: 5–7 inches high and wide, ornamental plant, fine foliage texture
Replace barberries with these native alternatives:
Black Chokeberry — Aronia melanocarpa
New Jersey Tea — Ceanothus americanus
Summersweet — Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’
Kodiak Orange Bush Honeysuckle — Diervilla lonicera ‘Kodiak Orange’
Large Fothergilla — Fothergilla major
Inkberry Holly — Ilex glabra
Little Devil Ninebark — Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Little Devil’
Border Privet
Ligustrum obtusifolium
Traits: 10 inches high and wide, excellent hedge, fine foliage texture
Replace border privet with these native alternatives:
American Hornbeam — Carpinus caroliniana
Redtwig Dogwood — Cornus sanguinea
Spicebush — Lindera benzoin
Bayberry — Myrica pensylvanica
Witherod Viburnum — Viburnum cassinoides
Korean Spice Viburnum — Viburnum carlesii
American Cranberry — Viburnum Viburnum trilobum ‘Compacta’
Kerry Lewis leads the Landscape Architecture team at Knickerbocker Group. She has been a registered landscape architect for 30 years, focusing on ecological gardens for the Northeast.
This article appeared in the Fall 2024 edition of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES. Subscribe today!
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