WHAT SHOULDN'T BE PLANTED
Plants which are not native to a particular area are often referred to as "exotics" or "invasive plants." These species have been planted by humans, or their seeds have been dispersed by animals, wind or water. Exotics have the effect of altering our natural areas by crowding out our native plants. Ecosystems will no longer run effectively because exotics cannot perform the same necessary life-sustaining functions of the natives they are replacing. A plan can be developed to remove these exotics/invasive species and replace them with appropriate native plants.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF EXOTICS WHICH SHOULDN'T BE PLANTED OR, IF GROWING, SHOULD BE REMOVED:
Autumn Olive
Barberry
Buckthorn
Crown Vetch
European Alder
Japanese Honeysuckle
Multiflora Rose
Norway Maple
Periwinkle
Privet
Purple Loosestrife
Siberian/Chinese Elm
Common Yarrow
Garlic Mustard
Knapweeds
Chickweed
Lamb's Quarters
Ox-eye Daisy
Chickory
Field Bindweed
Queen Anne's Lace
Teasel
Creeping Charlie
Baby's Breath
Common St. John's Wort
Butter & Eggs
White Sweet Clover
Forget-me-not
Garden Phlox
Knotweed
Heal-all
Common Buttercup
Bouncing Bet
Bladder Campion
Common Dandelion
Red Clover
Mullein
Timothy
Bluegrass
Mock Orange
Tree of Heaven
Russian/White Mulberry
White/Siver/Lombardy Poplar
White/Weeping/Gray/Crack/Corkscrew Willow
Bittersweet
Most likely, many of your current garden plants are also exotics or "cultivars" (plants whose genes have been altered by humans). Cultivars are not native plants. Consider adding NO NEW exotics or cultivars to your yard - only NATIVES from now on. Please check out my link to "Native Plant Nurseries" for information on easily obtaining Michigan native plants.
(NOTE: This listing of exotic plants was compiled by the Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation Staff. Contact them at (734)996-3266 for more information.)
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