Be A Smart Plant Buyer

Multiflora rose can be differentiated from our native roses by noticing the abundance of “eyelashes” at the base of each leaf.  Our native roses will only have one on each side of the leaf stem.

(Celastrus orbiculatus)

As a vine, the Oriental Bittersweet strangles young trees and grows in both full sun and shade, making it a danger in any area. It produces a prodigious annual seed crop which is eaten and spread.

Fruit

The fruits are often used in autumn wreath making, which furthers their spread.  If there aren’t fruits to help identify this vine, it can often be recognized by its persistent circular winding up a tree or post.

(Ligustrum spp.)

Privet is an invasive shrub that easily escapes from cultivation and can take over a forest floor.  There are no native privets in North America. Both European and Asian privet varieties can become invasive.

Privet can be identified by its smooth and shiny leaves, which emerge from the stem opposite one another.  Later in the season they have dark blue berries.

(Vinca spp.)

Periwinkles form a dense mat on the ground that strangles out native species.  It spreads slowly but decisively from where it is planted. In the woods, large patches can reveal old homestead sites.

Periwinkles form a dense mat on the ground that strangles out native species.  It spreads slowly but decisively from where it is planted. In the woods, large patches can reveal old homestead sites.

(Hedera helix)

English Ivy is a well known ornamental often seen climbing brick houses and trees.  It kills trees by weighing them down, shading out branches, and damaging the bark.

English Ivy is evergreen, and can be recognized by the star-shaped leaves, which are usually waxy and shiny, and the strong roots it uses to climb trees.