Native Plant Alternatives to Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive)

Elaeagnus umbellata, commonly known as autumn olive, is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America. Native to Asia, it was introduced to the United States in the 1830s for use as a windbreak and wildlife habitat.

Autumn olive is a fast-growing shrub that can reach up to 20 feet (6 meters) in height. It’s known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, allowing it to thrive in poor soils where other plants may struggle. Its berries are also very prolific and are readily eaten by birds, which then disperse the seeds, helping the plant to spread.

Autumn Olive is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

Invasive populations of autumn olive can form dense thickets that crowd out native plants and disrupt ecosystems. Its ability to change soil chemistry through nitrogen fixation can also make it difficult for native plants to re-establish once autumn olive has been removed.

Efforts to control and eradicate autumn olive are ongoing in many areas where it’s considered invasive.

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 occurs 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.