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Invasive Plant Species in Virginia

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

Native Plants, Invasive Plants, Virginia Invasive Plants, Virginia Invasive Shrubs, Virginia Invasive Perennials, Virginia Invasive Trees

Dozens of plant species are listed as invasive in Virginia. These non-native plants are a significant threat to many native habitats and species and a significant cost to agriculture, forestry, and recreation. Economic damages associated with invasive species and control costs are estimated at $120 billion per year.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species, and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers, and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.

Here is the comprehensive list of invasive plant species in Virginia.

Do not plant invasive plants and preserve the plant species native to your region!

Guide Information

Native Plants Southeast, Virginia

Invasive Plant Species in Virginia

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)
Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine)
Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa Tree)
Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental Bittersweet)
Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive)
Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper)
Hedera helix (English Ivy)
Imperata cylindrica (Cogon Grass)
Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
Lonicera fragrantissima (Winter Honeysuckle)
Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)
Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosetrife)
Morus alba (White Mulberry)
Phyllostachys aurea (Fish-Pole Bamboo)
Populus alba (White Poplar)
Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’ (Callery Pear)
Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)
Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spirea)
Ulmus pumila (Siberian Elm)
Vinca major (Big Periwinkle)
Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)
Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria)
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria)
Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Upper South Middle South
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Native Plants Southeast, Virginia
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Upper South Middle South

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