Invasive exotic plants are plants that are not indigenous to an area but nevertheless have established themselves and reproduced. Not being indigenous to an area, the plants have no natural predators or diseases. This freedom from predators and diseases, enables the exotic plants to spread unchecked. Exotic invasive plants run rampant and inhabit space that […]
invasive species
The Smoky Mountains and the threats to its biodiversity
What will it take to truly restore the land? Well, the Earth could take matters into her own hands, and do something that the rest of us, probably won’t like.
Healthy Forest – Restoring the Wissahickon
Wiegard, Ave. Wissahickon Forest, Fairmount Park Weather: clear, cool, hi. 48 degrees F, lo 42 degrees F, wind 4 – 7 mph. Habitat: Oak-Hickory Forest. I volunteered with Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers Sunday. It was a clear beautiful day in the Wissahickon Forest. The sky was clear and that warm blue of autumn. The glowing gold […]
Removing English Ivy (Hedera helix L.)
On Saturday, we ripped out some problems at the local library garden. I belong to the garden friends. For the last two years we have eradicated invasive plants and planted native ones. We were joined on Saturday by thirty teenagers on a community service project. They did a fantastic job getting rid of the problem […]
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Common name: Butterfly bush Scientific name: Buddleja davidii Family name: Buddlejaceae Attracts: butterflies (nectar) Host plant to: no one Native range: southwestern China Habitat: sunny sites with well-drained soils Height: 3 to 15 feet Light needed: full sun Hardiness zones: 5 to 9 Bloom period: summer Bloom color: purple Growing Tips: Don’t plant it. This plant […]