natives for replacing invasives
treeseer said:
"I have always respected the advice you give despite the way you deliver it.'
Why that's very nice, thank you.
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The way I give it is designed to be fun (I gotta get somthin out of it) and provocative--keep the wheels turnin eh?
Barberry and euonymus alata are highly valued plants for the urban habitat here but I see em taking over in the woods of southern appalachia too. Norway maple I don't see here but its rep is bad.
Kate what are good natives up there to replace with?
I believe that replacements for invasives must take into asccount the untimate desired (client) goal. For instance, barberries can be kept short (a sheared, shaped low hedge - very popular in the 1600's through the 1800's as perimeter edgings for other gardens) or allowed to max out to 6' or more. Certainly, hard shaping/shearing will minimize seed drop.
Euonymous can be a standalone, middle of the lawn focal point or a 15' tall hedge - or anything in between. Either of these invasives are far less reprehensible in manicured lawns (where the seeds are less likely to drop on bare earth and germinate) than in a wilder setting - where their aggressive nature flourishes.
Norway maples? Not as much of a hot button issue here because of the many other sorts of maples that do really well here. Here's a link to what my state considers the biggest problems:
http://www.uvm.edu/mastergardener/invasives/invasives.htm
I don't mean to avoid the question, but the projected use should determine the plant material used. For a focal, standalone in a shady lawn, consider Cornus alternafolia (pagoda dogwood). A stunning layered shape, they can be single stems or multiples and max out at ±15'-20'. They'll tolerate sun if adequate moisture is available and can be pruned to smaller size, if desired.
Physocarpus (ninebark) are available in red and green leaved forms and also can be pruned to size. They could easily replace euonymous as singles or hedges. I've used them alternately with a Miscanthus sinensis 'Arabesque' whose flower scapes are the same color as the wine red of their (P. 'Diabolo') leaves. It's glorious. I know, the miscanthus is not native, but worth considering, as this particular variety is freestanding (not floppy) and very well-balanced in it's fountain-ing habit.
There are some very visually interesting and worthy dwarf (and not so dwarf) conifers for focal interest (standalones) in a lawn.
My advice to anyone considering any large scale installation would be to perform your due diligence (research) on what is and is not considered invasive IN YOUR AREA. Something invasive in the deep South isn't likely to be so in a place where winter temps go below freezing. There are exceptions (gaillardia comes to mind) - just do the homework. Remember to check the heat zone thing too, not just the winterkill zones.
