There is wisdom in nature. When plants live in harmony, they each have a place to thrive and a role to play in the environment. Tall trees provide a dappled shade which protects shorter plants that thrive in moist, shady areas. They support nests in the crooks of their limbs. Tall grasses provide shelter for birds and animals and seed heads to nourish them. Wildflowers give nectar for bees and butterflies. Plants which are native to an area complement each other and support the natural ecosystem. They provide the best nutrition and habitat for native insects, birds, fish, and other wildlife.

Non-native plants can be invasive. Invasive plants are “bullies.” When they are planted among native plants, they tend to take over. They may spread underground, taking nutrients needed by other plants. Vining invasive plants may use trees for support, sapping their strength by digging their roots into the tree’s bark. They may eventually cover the tree’s leaves with their own leaves, depriving them of sunshine and weakening them to the point of death. Invasive plants upset the natural ecosystem, robbing other living things of their food sources and habitats.

Invasive plants may be especially strong and fast-growing, and resistant to disease and insects. For this reason, they are often appealing to property owners. They may be attractive to the eye and easy to find in garden centers, but should not be planted in the buffer zones near streams. To promote healthy streams, the buffer zone should be planted with varieties which are native to the area.