Try These Alternatives In Your Garden...
"Although vigilance and concern are part and parcel to any responsible plant introduction program, exotic and new plants for our gardens and landscapes should not necessarily be made the whipping boy of the environmentally proactive community. One does not need to look far to see the havoc wrecked in the Pacific Northwest by such species as the Scotch Broom, the Himalayan Blackberry and English Ivy. The escaped exotic flora from past ornamental and vegetable gardens, or those deliberately introduced for erosion control, represent a minute fraction of the palette of plants currently employed by lay and professional gardeners, landscapers and nurserymen. Modern evaluation techniques for assessing potential invasiveness have lessened the probability of another ‘super infection’, while offering data to both the accountable gardening and professional horticultural communities for hundreds if not thousands of responsible plant choices. Working together, we can assure that our corner of the continent remains intact in its natural beauty, while our gardens continue to engage the wealth of plant species from around the world that thrive in our climate."
-Daniel J. Hinkley, Heronswood Nursery
Alternates for:
YELLOW ARCHANGEL
Lamiastrum (Lamium) galeobdolon
Striking variegated leaves and the ability to thrive in shady areas characterize this ground cover used in hanging baskets. Unfortunately, this trailing plant easily establishes wild populations, forming dense, monotonous mats in parks and forests, and is a serious problem in British Columbia and in western Washington.
Common names
Heuchera & Heucherella
Botanical name
Heuchera spp. & Heucherella spp.
Low growing perennials, some varieties are northwest natives
· These plants produce small, airy flowers above ornamental leaves in a variety of colors and patterns.
· Tolerates sun to light shade
· Flowers attractive to hummingbirds. Deciduous, sun to light shade, wildlife
Common name
Oregon Oxalis
Botanical name
Oxalis oregana
Velvety, medium green cloverlike leaves blooms with 1" pink or white flowers veined with lavender in spring and sometimes in fall.
· Prefers summer water. Grows in partial to deep shade in mild-winter, cool-summer areas.
Additional options Dicentra formosa, Epimedium species, Maianthemum dilatatum, Oxalis oregana, Sarcoccoca humilis, Tiarella trifoliata
Alternates for:
Yellow flag iris, Iris pseudoacorus
(Washington State Class C Noxious Weed)
This emergent wetland plant with showy yellow flowers quickly spreads through underground rhizomes and rhizome fragments. It naturalizes along streams, canals, and shorelines in Washington, particularly near developed areas. It outcompetes native wetland plants along the shoreline and severely reduces water flow.
Common name
Japanese Iris
Botanical name Iris ensata and I. ensata cultivars including I. ensata ‘Variegata’
Ideal for wet boggy areas, edge of-pond plantings, and is easy to grow.
· Elegant large flowers of white, purple, violet form in late spring and early summer.
· The foliage of the cultivar ‘Variegata’ offers a creamy white green foliar accent
to pond plantings. Full sun, regular water, heavy soil
Common name Laevigata Iris
Botanical name Iris laevigata, and I. laevigata cultivars
A true water loving iris beautiful in and out of flower. Will grow well in 6" of water, also good for wet boggy areas
· Flowers are large white, purple, lavender, pink, rarely yellow. Full sun, heavy soil
Additional options: Iris setosa, Iris missouriensis, Iris versicolor, Iris virginicum, Lysichiton americanum, Sisyrinchium californicum, Iris x germanica (Bearded Iris)
|
