In spring, it helps butterflies refuel after winter hibernation or a gruelling journey to Britain from southern Europe or Africa. Nectar provides butterflies and moths with energy to fly and find a mate. If you manage your patch to create breeding habitat you may see even more. If you’re in doubt about the identity of a plant or aren't sure what to do about removing it, contact your local university coop extension service (find yours here), which can offer guidance about how to remove it safely and effectively.Gardens can act as important stepping stones between nature reserves and other natural habitats by offering abundant supplies of nectar and food plants.īutterflies will visit any garden, however small if they can feed on suitable nectar plants and a well thought out garden can attract many species of butterfly. But others, such as giant hogweed, are too dangerous to tackle alone. Sometimes, you can remove invasive plants, such as mimosa tree, yourself. Many invasive plants are harmful to pets and people, too. When invasive plants overtake an area, the natural diversity and balance of the eco-system is upset, providing less food for native wildlife such as beneficial insects and birds. It's not just other plants and flowers that can be muscled out by invasive plants. Their roots tend to smother native plants, and they're very good at re-sprouting when cut back. They spread rapidly because they produce large amounts of seed, which is often distributed by birds, animals, wind or, unknowingly, by people. Invasive plants are the bullies of the garden they take over, are terrible at sharing, and won't make room for their neighbors. You'll even find some invasive plants still sold online or at garden centers. Others were brought here intentionally because they were considered ornamental before their aggressive growth patterns were discovered. Some of these plants were introduced into the United States accidentally via imported agricultural products.

Yup, we're talking about invasive plants, those that are not native to the eco-system. We love plants, but there are some that definitely don’t belong in your yard or garden.

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