Page 20 - North Haven Magazine Issue 12 Winter 2020

by Sally Brockett

As conservators of our land, we need to learn to protect the environment so future generations will enjoy the beauty of nature. Res-
idents can learn about plants that are invasive and those that are native, but endangered. This is such an important topic that the
Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc. President, Arlene Field, has a 2 year project titled “Out with Invasives, In with Natives”. The goal
is to start with one yard, one garden, one park, one town at a time, to tackle invasive plants, and protect and plant natives, so we can
save our natural landscapes.

INVASIVES
Invasive plants are non-native plants that cause environmental or
economic harm. There are three common invasive plants that may
actually be living in your yard or gardens. Learning to recognize
these plants is the first step in managing their eradication.

ORIENTAL BITTERSWEET is a woody vine native to the Far
East. It was introduced into the United States around 1860 as an
ornamental plant. It is easily recognized in the fall by its yellow-or-
ange berries. Its fruiting stems are sometimes cut in the fall and
used for decoration, which unfortunately facilitates its spread.
MUGWORT, often found in gardens and along the roadside,
rapidly spreads by seed and its rhizomes (continuously growing
horizontal underground stems). The plant resembles a chrysanthe-
mum, and may be called a false chrysanthemum. The leaves smell
similar to those of the chrysanthemum. It grows 2-5 feet tall and
crowds out desirable plants. Care must be taken when removing
this weed because a broken piece of the root left in the soil will
grow into a new plant. Try to dig out all the roots. Destroying the
plants before they form flowers and seeds is very helpful in reduc-
ing spread of this obnoxious weed.
When removing invasives, be sure to put the plant material in a
plastic bag and dispose of the bag. The plant should die when con-
The sale of Oriental bittersweet has been prohibited in Connecticut tained in the bag so it will not spread seeds or sprout new growth.
since 2004. The law also prohibits the importation, purchase, and Do not put invasive plant material into your compost!
cultivation of bittersweet. Fines for violations of the law are listed
at $50 per plant. The law includes all reproductive portions of the
plant, including seeds.
The vines grow rapidly and twine around vertical structures, in-
cluding trees up to 90 feet tall. The vines can shade out the foli-
age of larger trees, and cause smaller trees to fail due to the sheer
weight of the plant. The vines also spread by root suckering and by
birds dispersing the berries.

You can help eradicate this vine by inspecting your property in the
fall to find the brightly colored, fruited vines. Young vines can be
pulled by hand. Larger, woody vines can be cut at the base near the
ground so the vine that is climbing up the tree will die.
WINGED EUYONOMOUS, or ‘Burning Bush’ was introduced ENDANGERED NATIVE PLANTS
from northeastern Asia in the 1860s. Though it is an attractive Native plants are those that grow naturally in an area through nat-
shrub, known for its brilliant red fall color, it is now on the CT ural dispersion by wind, water, birds, or animals. There are some
Invasive Plant list. Birds disperse the seeds and it can crowd out native plants that are endangered and may become extinct because
other native plants. If this plant is on your property, consider re- their environment has been destroyed by development, foreign
placing it with Aronia Berry, or blueberries, which produce nutri- insects are attacking them, or they are removed from their loca-
tious berries and are not favored by deer! White flowers in spring tion and cannot survive in the new one. There are more than 300
are followed by black or red berries and brilliant red leaves in the Connecticut plants that are endangered, threatened, or of special
fall. Aronia berry is widely adaptable and tolerant of sun or shade. concern.

20 North Haven Magazine - Winter 2020