Kentucky's Least Wanted Plant
Promoting alternatives to invasive landscape plants
Each year Bernheim Arboretum and Research
Forest, the Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council and the Environmental
Resource Management Center at Northern Kentucky University publishes
a poster of those plants that have proven to be invasive of our
native habitats. These
introduced plants are out-competing our native species resulting
in a reduction of plant diversity. We urge everyone to be
on the lookout for these plants and avoid planting them in your
yards. Instead, we offer similar native plants that can and
do provide similar enhancements to your environment.
2005 Least Wanted!
Chinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis
Miscanthus is a tall ornamental grass that grows in clumps and has feathery seed tops. Its long, slender, arching leaves and stems make it popular as a landscape plant. However, the seeds can blow great distances and become established in thin, disturbed soils, esp
ecially along roadsides, in power line rights-of-way, and along forest margins in the southeast and mid-Atlantic states. Once established, it can grow aggressively and out-compete native grasses and wildflowers.
Good Alternatives
Miscanthus X giganteus or
Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'
Not all Miscanthus species are invasive. These hybrid forms have infertile seeds that rarely reproduce. They have the same height and structure as M. sinensis and are attractive alternatives. M. 'Purpurascens' leaves turn a beautiful red-orange in fall and M. giganteus has a yellow fall color.
Miscanthus sinensis var. gracillimus
This is another noninvasive, sterile form with nearly the same height as the invasive species. Leaves reach up to 6' and flower spikes up to 8'. Leaves on this variety are less than 1/4 inch wide and are green. Flower spikes are shimmery silvery-red and fade to silvery. Dead foliage turns tan and will remain in place all winter. Plant with room to expand as plants form large clumps.
Great Native Alternatives
Switch Grass
Panicum virgatum
Also known as tall panic grass, this is a tall, warm season, vigorous perennial native to Kentucky. It has green blades as leaves with a reddish tint. Blades can be up to 5' tall. Panicles of small reddish flowers are borne on the ends of long stems from June to August. In the fall, switch grass blades turn yellow and the seeds on the panicles turn beige. Switch grass grows best in full sun and in wet-moist soils. Switch grass is best used in the back border of a perennial bed or in a wildflower meadow. Birds and small mammals use switch grass as a food source, Many songbirds use the leaves and stems as nest materials.
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
This warm season perennial bunch grass is native to Kentucky. It grows from 3'-7' in height. Indian grass has long, flat, narrow leaf blades that become yellowish bronze in the fall. Dense bronze-yellow flowers occur in narrow, oblong panicles in August and September. It has yellow spikelets (seed heads) that have white hairs that make it look gold and silver in the sunlight. Indian grass grows best in full sun and is fairly tolerant of drought conditions. It is best used in the back border of a perennial bed or in a wildflower meadow. Indian grass is a host plant for skipper butterflies. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds.
2004 Least Wanted!
Burning Bush
Euonymus alatus
Burning Bush’s bright red fall foliage and hardy nature have made it a very popular landscaping shrub. Unfortunately, this shrub’s broad habitat tolerance and dispersal by birds make the species a threat to Kentucky’s natural areas. Once Burning Bush becomes established into a natural area, it rapidly dominates the understory, outcompeting the native vegetation.
Good Native Alternatives
Strawberry Bush
Euonymus americanus
This deciduous shrub grows 6-12 ft. tall. Its pale green flowers produced in May-June have a sweet fragrance; however it is the pink and orange fruits produced by this shrub in October-November that are its greatest appeal. Strawberry bush, also know as Heart’s a Bursting with Love, thrives in well-drained loamy soil and light shade. This shrub is not a good selection in locations where deer browse is a problem, this species is a favorite of deer.
Spice Bush
Lindera benzoin
Spicebush is a natural alternative to Burning Bush because it is shade-tolerant and produces attractive red berries in the fall. Clusters of yellow flowers appear in March before the leaves develop. Although the flowers are not fragrant, the leaves, twigs and berries give off a spicy aroma when crushed. This native of Kentucky is frequent in moist woods throughout the state and grows well in rich moist soil.
Winterberry Holly
Ilex verticillata
Winterberry Holly is a multistemmed deciduous shrub known for its exceptionally showy bright red fruit in fall and winter. Native through the eastern coast of North America and sporadically through the midwest, this 5’ to 10’ shrub is an excellent choice for full sun in both low/wet and upland soils. There are many cultivars available including compact growers, orange and yellow-fruited forms. Plant both male and female forms for best fruit production on the females.
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