Is it possible to plant invasive ornamentals responsibly?
Not really. As soon as the “responsible” gardener who knows about the plants invasive characteristics is out of the picture (moves away, gives away cuttings or transplants, goes on vacation), the plant has the chance of becoming a problem. Often seeds can be eaten by birds, carried by cars, dogs, or the wind and then may be planted in new locations. Gardeners, no matter how diligent, cannot control for natural processes, most of which rule the world of plant invasions. What can I do to help? Choose native or non-invasive plants for your garden. It is usually possible to find visually similar plants to use in place of invasives. Do not plant invasive ornamentals. Remove any invasive ornamentals in your garden. Become familiar with invasive species and report their presence on public lands to the agency. Ask your greenhouse and/or nursery to stock more natives and fewer invasive non-natives. The Colorado Native Plant Society is a wonderful resource for people wanting to use more natives
