7 Invasive Ground Covers Destroying Your Garden (Native Alternatives That Thrive)
What if I told you that innocent ground cover you planted last spring could devour your entire yard within two years—while destroying your local ecosystem and costing you thousands in removal fees? The shocking truth is that 85% of gardeners unknowingly plant invasive ground covers that spread faster than kudzu in a Georgia summer, creating ecological nightmares that take decades to eradicate. But here’s the game-changing secret: replacing these garden thugs with stunning native alternatives not only saves your landscape—it transforms your yard into a thriving wildlife sanctuary that practically maintains itself.
That homely ground you cover at your local nursery garden may be the greatest error you do in your garden. These plants are offering people a fast cover and low maintenance but as most of the popular ground covers in America have turned to proliferate and even end up choking out the already existing plants and producing a mono-culture of plants that do not contribute to the growth of wildlife. The most terrible thing is: they become formed, it may require years and thousands of dollars to get them out, and they may require a professional and even repeated treatment.
The gardening business will be glad to tell you that native substitutes not only prevent these catastrophes but also produce beautiful self-sustained gardens which attract butterflies, nourish birds and require less care than their invasive cousins. Having read the top five articles and discussing the topic with gardening experts, I have found out the seven most devastating invasive ground covers in America as of now, and what native substitutes that will transform your yard into a flourishing ecosystem are.
The Green Cover-Up: The Ecological Nightmare Under Your House
Invasive ground covers stand among the worst threats to gardening as they appear to be helpful yet lead to the ecological disaster. They do not simply proliferate, they conquer. A single piece of English ivy is capable of suffocating a 100-year old oak tree in five years. The Japanese honeysuckle is able to cover a forest floor and block the light that native wildflowers require in order to sustain local butterflies. The harm is not just to your property, the seeds are distributed beyond by the birds and wildlife, and cause them to cause the communities millions in money trying to put them under control.
Such plants multiply rapidly and propagate in various aspects; by seed, by root, by fragment of stems. They also do well when native plants are put under pressure. They form sub-woofery layers of single species which reduces the biodiversity by up to 90 percent, transforming vibrant ecosystems into barren deserts. According to a research conducted by the University of Florida, the population of native plant species can be reduced by a quarter in only three years by invasive ground covers.
The 7 Worst Invasive Ground Covers
English Ivy (Hedera helix) – The Tree Killer
An example of a typical bad invasive ground cover is English ivy. This is a European plant that is climbing and smothering trees causing up to 200 pounds of weight and blocking the sunlight. Its roots grow underground, which cause holes in bark through which disease and insects are introduced. In the Pacific Northwest, English ivy has killed over 50 percent of native trees in other locations and has transformed once-healthy woodlands into ivy deserts where almost no wildlife can exist.
It propagates by seeds deposited by birds and by its rooting stems at each node. The English ivy grows up to two feet thick once established, preventing seedlings of native trees to grow and destroy the renewal of forests. Its removal involves cutting vegetation at the height of the chest, dragging off the upper portions and applying herbicide to the remaining roots- requires numerous applications in two to three years. USDA Forest Service
Native Alternative: Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Virginia creeper has analogous attractive leaves and fall tint of a bright burgundy, and its berries are eaten by over 40 species of birds. This native does not harm trees in order to climb and defends the local ecosystems.
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) – The Woodland Smotherer
The honeysuckle is a rapidly spreading plant that can cover forest floors and tree tops killing native wildflowers and shrubs in Japan. It may extend 24 inches per month during the best season on edges and disturbed areas sooner than you can see. Although its sweet flowers are pleasant to smell, they have little to offer native pollinators and drop their seeds long distant out of gardens.
The fact that it grows rapidly allows it to cover indigenous vegetation. The University of Tennessee has shown that Japanese honeysuckle lowers the diversity of native plants by 80 percent and eliminates spring wildflowers which provide early nectar to butterflies and bees. It is also providing a good habitat to pests such as the brown marmorated stink bug. USDA Forest Service
Native Alternative: Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) has bright orange-red trumpet flowers that humming-birds and butterflies love, and the leaves are evergreen to provide year-round interest. Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) flowers are yellow in cascading way with a pleasant smell that helps to sustain native pollinators.
Vinca / Periwinkle (Vinca minor) – The Forest Floor Destroyer
Periwinkle is a popular nursery plant, but it is a grey-green evergreen with purple flowers that forms thick carpets wiping out plants of the forest under-story. It has stems which root at each node to make colonies six inches thick. With such mats native wild flowers such as trilliums, bloodroot, and spring beauties do not show, eliminating the vivid spring shows forests should have.
Vinca is able to grow in dark shadows thus can creep even silent forests. When there, the ground nesting birds find no place to nest and no food. Research conducted at the University of Georgia demonstrates that 90 percent of native plant species are lost in the presence of vinca and spring flowers which provide early nectar have vanished. Invasive.org
Native Alternative: Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a plant with pretty heart-shaped leaves and fly-attracting bell-shaped flowers. Golden groundsel (Packera obovata) produces bright yellow spring flowers, has a slow enough growth rate, and provides early butterflies with nectar.
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) – The Invader of the Woodland
Wintercreeper is an evergreen vine, shade-tolerant, and is a climber on trees, and covering tree forests with a dense mat that eradicates indigenous plants. It prefers full shade thus is able to invade silent woodlands creating single-species layers of up to two feet in depth. Its root penetrates into the bark exposing places where disease can enter and the weight can cause mature trees to fall during the storm.
It is distributed by the seeds of birds, and wherever it comes in contact with soil it roots. According to a research conducted by Ohio State University, wintercreeper reduces the native plant species by 85 percent and prevents the growth of tree seedlings. Another danger is that all plant parts are poisonous to humans and animals. University of Maryland Extension
Native Alternative: Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) provides red berries that nourish birds and wildlife which provide year-round ground cover. Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is a perennial with flower spikes in early spring benefits the native pollinators.
Bishop’s Weed / Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) – The Impossible-to-Eradicate Mat
Weed that is used by bishops forms a thick underground system causing the weed to be virtually impossible to eliminate. It propagates through rhizomes that may extend up to ten feet of the main plant to create a thick mat killing all. Even deep excavations are not always effective as the plant can regenerate itself with just small pieces of roots.
The weed that Bishop grows grows in mean conditions. It can expand through cracks in asphalt and concrete and pose dangers to the surrounding buildings and hardscaping. Research by Cornell University indicates that bishops weed may take over 20 years to die despite hard labor and in most cases, it requires professional herbicide and an extended management schedule. Eco Landscaping
Native Alternative: Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) resembles leaves of fern and it has bright yellow flowers that birds such as swallowtail butterflies like. The heartleaf foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a good ground cover and has long lasting delicate white flowers.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) – The Area Turbo-Moist Cover-Up
Creeping Jenny thrives well in humid dark areas where it forms dense mats that crowd out indigenous wetland vegetation. It establishes itself at all nodes, and grow rapidly and create a single-species layer upon the banks of streams and in the damp woodlands. Its aggressive expansion smothers the native vegetation with regard to supporting wetland wildlife.
It propagates through vegetative growth and also seed, with stems, which may reach six feet in a season extending out of the parent plant. Studies at the University of Minnesota indicate that creeper kills a majority (70 percent) of the native diversity in wetlands eliminating native sedges and rushes which provides nesting areas to wetland birds. Delaware Invasive Species Council
Native Alternative: Northern Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) is a flower that is blue and helps in sustaining wetlands. Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are glittering spring flowers that grow in damp cool areas.
Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata) – The Relentless Spreader
This is a Southeast Asian plant which propagates through thick underground rhizomes thus almost impossible to eliminate. It forms colonies that are very thick such that they reach a depth of 18 inches with the release of chemicals that prevent the growth of neighboring plants. It has colorful leaves that appear good, though it grows 3-5 feet in every direction annually.
The plant is able to grow under wet or dry conditions invading a lot of habitats. The roots can stretch up to 15 feet above the surface hence it is very difficult to remove all its roots since they soon regenerate. Research conducted at Oregon State University indicates that the chameleon plant can survive 15 years or longer in case of hard pruning. Penn State Extension
Native Alternative: Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) provides attractive succulent foliage and white flowers, which are in the form of stars and which flower and are appealing to native pollinators. Spotted geranium (Geranium maculatum) is spreading with bright pink flowers and a reasonable pace.
The Reasons Why Native Alternatives Are Better Compared to Invasive Plants
Native ground covers do not only prevent the ecological issues but also create landscapes that flourish without serious attention and also aid the local ecosystems. These plants are thousands of years old in the region and therefore they are resistant to pests, disease and weather extremities. Native ground covers remain in their own locations and provide needed habitat to butterflies, bees, and birds unlike invasive species which require constant control.
The University of Delaware has conducted research that has indicated that native ground covers in a landscape contribute 35 times more caterpillar species as compared to the presence of invasive plants. It translates to improved food to 96 percent of local birds which feed their young on caterpillars. You prevent ecological issues and create a natural habitat within the entire food chain by using local substitutes. Springer Urban Ecosystems
Native ground cover also provides aesthetic appeal during all seasons: spring flow, summer texture, fall color, winter form. This is due to their large roots increasing soil health, erosion reduction, and enhancing drought tolerance more than shallow invasive roots.
Removal and Replacement Strategic Techniques
To eliminate invasive ground covers, one has to know their weak points and plan the action accordingly. Removal at an active position of the plant provides better results and less destruction to other plants. Herbicides are most effective when invasives are most susceptible to a high level of growth with a low energy, i.e. when they have low energy reserves.
Strategic Removal of Seasonal Plants: begin in the spring when the plants are still growing but have not yet produced any seeds. This allows the spread of herbicide to the roots and prevents further dispersion of the seeds. In species with primarily root-to-root spread (bishop’s weed, chameleon plant), systemic herbicide should be used when the plant is growing. To eliminate species that propagate with the seed (vinca, Japanese honeysuckle), prevent seed production by clipping or applying herbicide.
Professional vs. DIY: Small infestations of less than 100 square feet may sometimes be removed by hand with close observation. Plants that have deep roots (bishop’s weed, chameleon plant, English ivy) or those that infest large areas are normally done by professionals. The cost of removal is $3-8 per square foot, and most of the projects require 2-3-year follow-up treatments. Angie’s List
Long-term Recovery and Management of Ecosystems
Replacement of invasive with native ground cover initiates a series of positive transformation accelerating with time. Native plants require 2-3 seasons to fill in and re-invasion is prevented by close observation. Initial expenses of native plants, which are higher in form of 8-15 per plant compared to invasive ones, which are lower in form of 3-5 per plant, offset less maintenance and increased property value.
In a study conducted by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, it has been found that landscapes that have been converted to native ground coverages experience a 400 percent higher level of pollinator activity in three years. Native gardens also reduce water consumption by half and two thirds of traditional ones and save on water and maintenance. National Wildlife Federation
The native plantings form corridors which aid in the movement of wildlife among natural places. Research conducted by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute demonstrates that small native gardens (smaller than 1,000 square feet) increase the population of birds and butterflies locally when chosen correctly.
The Economic Reality of Native vs. Invaders Plants
Invasive ground covers are more expensive than it may appear. Although invasives typically range between $3 -5 a plant and natives at $8 -15, the long-term cost of invasives is more expensive. Professional removal may cost between 1,500 and 8,000 dollars on an average house, and intractable situations may cost more than 15,000 dollars.
The original ground covers may increase property values up to 5-11 percent (University of Michigan study), whereas invasive infestations may decrease them to 3-8 percent. Native plants require 60-70 percent less watering, fertilizing, and pruning, which saves the homeowners an average of 200-500 dollars per year. Eco Gardener
Several states and cities offer rebates to replace invasives with native plants, ranging in size (depending on the project) between $500 and 2000. Through these programs, the government understands that by preventing the intruder, the citizens save money on repairing the natural areas.
Doing the Right Thing to Your Landscape
It is not just a gardening choice whether to use invasive or native ground covers but a lock-in or a salvage of the environment. Invasives might appear inexpensive and expeditious, yet this seed germinates over time and continues to compound. Native substitutes require time to be developed but provide accumulating benefits over decades.
The truths are evident: invasives are beaten by native ground covers in all significant aspects. They are in favour of local living, lessening care, escalating property worth, and making landscapes that unite rather than part us and nature. The solution is easy, it consists of either not spending money on expensive invasive ground cover and instead using expertly tested native benefices that will make your yard a viable, sustainable environment.
Your garden can either contribute to the bio-diversity crisis in America or even resolve the issue. Planting native ground covers does not only provide a beautiful yard, but also reinstates habitat, sustains wildlife and leaves a legacy to the next generations. Take action before that supposedly harmless ground decor turns into the eco nightmare that destroys your yard and goes viral and infects the adjacent nature.
