Native Alternatives to Exotic Trees, Shrubs and Vines
“We have allowed alien plants to replace natives all over the country. Our native animals and plants cannot adapt to this gross and completely unnatural manipulation of their environment in time to negate the consequences. Their only hope for a sustainable future is for us to intervene to right the wrongs that we have perpetrated.”- Doug Tallamy, Entomologist, Ecologist and Conservationist
Many gardeners and landscapers are drawn to the unique beauty and variety of non-native plants, but the use of these exotic species can have negative impacts on local ecosystems. As awareness grows about the importance of conservation and protecting native species, more and more people are looking for alternative options that still provide a diverse and beautiful landscape. In this post, we will introduce you to some of the best native tree, shrub and vine alternatives to common non-natives.
You can find more information to help you properly ID these invasive plants by clicking on the link embedded in the latin name.
Illinois Rose (Rosa setigera) in bloom
Vines:
Non-native: English Ivy (Hedera helix)/ Chinese bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Native Alternatives:
American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana)
Non-native: Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda)
Native Alternatives:
American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)
Trees & Shrubs:
Non-Native: Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
Native Alternatives:
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
Non-Native: Privets (Ligustrum sinense, Ligustrum japonicum)
Native alternatives:
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
Non-native: Callery (Bradford) Pear (Pyrus calleryana x)
Native alternatives:
Eastern Redbud (Cercis candadensis)
Blue Beech (Carpinus carolina)
Non-native: Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)/ European Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymerium)
Native Alternatives:
Dwarf Honeysuckle (Lonicera reticulata)
Cranberry Viburnum (Viburnum opulus var. americanum)
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
Non-native: Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
Native Alternatives:
Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica)
Non-native: Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
Native Alternatives:
Non-native: Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
Native alternatives:
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
Non-native: Autumn Olive (Elaeagus umbellata)/ Russian Olive (Elaeagus angustifolia)
Native alternatives:
Eastern Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpeus)
Maple Leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)
Buttonbush (Cephanthulus occidentalis)
American Hazelnut/ Filbert (Corlyus americana)
Non-Native: Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
Native Alternatives:
New Jersery Tea (Ceanothous americanus)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Non-Native: Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Native Alternatives:
Eastern Wahoo (Euonymus americanus)
Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Mapleleaf Viburnum, (Viburnum acerifolium)
Non-native: Amur Cork Tree (Phellodendron amurense)
Native Alternatives:
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Non-Native: Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
Native Alternatives:
