English Ivy – Photo credit nwcb.wa.gov
(Cough, SNEEZE, sniffle)
Have you heard these sounds while riding in a crowded elevator and realized that someone in there with you has a horrible cold? Then you notice they coughed into their hand and pushed a button with that same hand and then sneezed without covering. And you have 20 more floors to go together!
This is my (kind of) funny explanation of why invasives are so bad for the environment. Invasive plants, like ivy, holly and many others, can easily spread into landscapes, native areas, pollinator gardens and take over. And because invasive species have few to no predators, they easily grow and out-compete other plants. As they quickly monopolize the area, they create a cascading negative effect on the rest of the plants, animals, and life in that area.
As a landscape and environmental advocate, I often have the job of mentioning to clients that they have an invasive species present in their landscape and my professional recommendation is to remove it. Sometimes homeowners just need the knowledge that a particular plant will be continually challenging on their own property and this propels them to take action. It also helps in many cases, to think of the new, beautiful, beneficial landscape to come that will be a much more positive impact on everyone!
Learn more about invasive species here: Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board
