5 More Invasive Plants to Keep Off Your Chantilly Property

Last month, our Chantilly AllGreen Landscape Co. posted a piece about 5 invasive plant species in Northern Virginia yards that you should definitely avoid planting in your yard, in favor of some Northern Virginia native plants. It’s very important to be aware of what you’re adding to your landscape—not only do you want it to be beautiful, but you want it to be beneficial to your local environment also.

Often, however, invasive plants sprout up on your property without you planting them. That’s the nature of invasive plant species in Northern Virginia—they spread quickly. So, in addition to intentionally planting native species, watch out for invasive plants that the wind, birds or other forces may have pushed onto your property. And please, contact AllGreen Landscape Co. today if you see any of these 5 invasive plants, and we can help you replace them with beautiful, local plants instead:

1. Tree of Heaven

This small-to-medium tree has foliage resembling sumac and black walnut trees, but it actually stinks. Literally. It was brought to American from Asia in the 1800’s as a fast-growing lumber tree. Unfortunately, it grows so fast it’s crowding out native species and actually gives off chemical compounds that inhibit the growth of native trees. Replace the oddly-named "tree of heaven" with natives like black walnut, serviceberry, or mockernut hickory instead.

2. Phragmites

Many are surprised to hear that those tall, wispy grasses along our wetlands are actually be invaders from Asia and Europe. Its feathery seed plumes spread like wildfire along riverbanks and shorelines. Unfortunately, this tall grass chokes out native plants and provides no edible parts for local wildlife. If you have wetland property, contact AllGreen Landscape Co. for a consultation on what is and isn’t native in your area and we can help you create a management plan.

3. Wavyleaf Basket Grass

This shade-tolerant grass can completely overwhelm any wooded are of your property if allowed to do so. Nobody plants it intentionally, but it can easily spread, choking out natives by covering the ground rapidly. It spreads with clumps of sticky seeds hitching rides on dogs, wildlife and your clothing if you walk through it. This perennial pokes up through leaflitter every spring with pointy, wavy leaves stemming from a center stalk. If you have tree-shaded, damp yard areas, get native ground covers in there: wild ginger or green and gold are good local options.

4. Japanese Honeysuckle

The very mention of “honeysuckle” brings a sweet fragrance to mind, but if you’ve got Japanese honeysuckle in your yard, it’s time to get a native species in there instead. Japanese honeysuckle is characterized by its fragrant white flowers and dense, climbing greenery that chokes out other plants. Fortunately, Northern Virginia has plenty of sweet-smelling native alternatives like Trumpet honeysuckle, Carolina Jessamine, Yellow Jessamine or Crossvine.

5. Garlic Mustard

Again, if your yard has any woodland areas, you’ll want to watch out for this one. Introduced from Europe, where it’s a hardy native, garlic mustard quickly crowds out local species that support the local ecosystem. Better native groundcovers include Virginia bluebells, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, twinleaf and green dragon.

To ensure that your yard isn’t overrun by invasive plants, contact AllGreen Landscape Co. today at (703) 992-8787.