Some of the most popular landscape plants in North Carolina are invasive. They spread out of yards and crowd out the native plants that birds, bees and butterflies need. Scroll through the garden below to see them, and the native plants we grow that can take their place.

Welcome to the garden

Keep scrolling. For each invasive plant, you’ll see where it grows in a yard and how it spreads. Scroll a little more and it turns into the native plants we grow that can take its place.

Trees

Instead of

Bradford pear

Pyrus calleryana

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Spreads by seed into fields and roadsides, where it grows into thorny thickets. Branches also split easily in storms.

Also called: Callery pear, Cleveland pear, flowering pear

Plant these natives instead

  • Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium

    White spring flowers, red fall color and blue-black fruit for birds. Grows as a small tree.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

  • Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana

    Lemon-scented white flowers in early summer and leaves that stay on most of the winter.

    Brings in: BeesBirds

    Feeds many kinds of caterpillars.

  • American Snowbell Styrax americanus

    Covered in hanging white bells in late spring. Stays small enough for most yards.

    Brings in: Bees

Instead of

Mimosa

Albizia julibrissin

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Seeds itself everywhere, and the seeds can survive in the soil for years.

Also called: silk tree, mimosa tree

Plant these natives instead

  • Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis

    Round, fluffy white flowers in summer, much like mimosa's, and a magnet for butterflies.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesHummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

    Feeds 20+ kinds of caterpillars.

  • Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana

    A small tree with fragrant white flowers in early summer.

    Brings in: BeesBirds

    Feeds many kinds of caterpillars.

  • Possumhaw Holly Ilex decidua

    A small tree with red berries that last all winter.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

The NC Native Plant Society also recommends red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) and white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus).

Instead of

Tree-of-heaven and princess tree

Ailanthus altissima, Paulownia tomentosa

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Both grow very fast and spread by seed. Tree-of-heaven also sends up sprouts from its roots.

Also called: ailanthus, empress tree, paulownia

Plant these natives instead

  • Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina

    Long, feathery leaves like tree-of-heaven, and brilliant red fall color. It spreads, so give it room.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the luna moth and more.

  • Elderberry Sambucus canadensis

    Grows fast, with big white flower heads and berries for birds.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

  • Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium

    A small tree with white spring flowers and dark fruit for birds.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

Instead of

Mulberries

Morus alba, Broussonetia papyrifera

Rank 2: a serious invader

Birds spread the seeds, and white mulberry cross-breeds with our native red mulberry.

Also called: white mulberry, paper mulberry

Plant these natives instead

  • Elderberry Sambucus canadensis

    Berries birds love, and you can make jam and syrup from them.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

  • Possumhaw Holly Ilex decidua

    Red winter berries for birds.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

  • Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'

    Black berries and red-purple fall color.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the precious underwing moth.

Instead of

Chinese elm

Ulmus parvifolia

Rank 2: a serious invader

Seeds itself into lawns, beds and nearby woods.

Also called: lacebark elm

Plant these natives instead

  • Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana

    Fragrant white flowers and leaves that stay on most of the winter.

    Brings in: BeesBirds

    Feeds many kinds of caterpillars.

  • American Snowbell Styrax americanus

    A small tree covered in white bells in late spring.

    Brings in: Bees

  • Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium

    White spring flowers and red fall color.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

For a large shade tree, the NC Native Plant Society recommends black gum (Nyssa sylvatica).

Shrubs

Instead of

Burning bush

Euonymus alatus

Rank 2: a serious invader

Birds carry its seeds into the woods, where seedlings crowd out native plants.

Also called: winged euonymus, burning bush euonymus

Plant these natives instead

  • Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'

    Brilliant red fall color, plus red berries that last into winter.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the coral hairstreak and more.

  • Virginia Sweetspire Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'

    Deep red to purple fall color and fragrant white flowers in late spring.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

  • Rabbiteye Blueberry Vaccinium virgatum 'Climax'

    Fiery fall color, and blueberries you can eat.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Feeds 210+ kinds of caterpillars. Pollen for 14 specialist bee species.

Instead of

Japanese barberry

Berberis thunbergii

Rank 2: a serious invader

Forms dense, thorny stands in forests. Studies link those stands to higher tick numbers.

Also called: barberry, red barberry, crimson pygmy barberry

Plant these natives instead

  • Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'

    Compact, with white spring flowers, black berries and red-purple fall color.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the precious underwing moth.

  • Bush Honeysuckle Diervilla rivularis 'Troja Black'

    Dark bronze-purple leaves, a good stand-in for purple barberry.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesHummingbirdsPollinator favorite

  • Winterberry Holly Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red'

    Loaded with bright red berries in winter. Plant a male like 'Southern Gentleman' nearby for berries.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

Instead of

Nandina

Nandina domestica

Rank 2: a serious invader

Birds spread the seeds. The berries release cyanide as they digest, which can kill cedar waxwings that gorge on them in winter.

Also called: heavenly bamboo, sacred bamboo

Plant these natives instead

  • Winterberry Holly Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite'

    Bright red winter berries that are safe for birds. Plant a male like 'Jim Dandy' nearby for berries.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

  • Inkberry Holly Ilex glabra 'Shamrock'

    A tidy evergreen for foundation plantings.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

  • American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana

    Clusters of bright purple berries in fall that birds love.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for azure butterflies and the snowberry clearwing moth.

Instead of

Chinese and Japanese privet

Ligustrum sinense, L. japonicum

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

One of the worst invaders of NC stream banks and forests.

Also called: privet, ligustrum, privet hedge, waxleaf privet

Plant these natives instead

  • Inkberry Holly Ilex glabra

    An evergreen hedge plant that handles sun or part shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

  • Yaupon Holly (female) Ilex vomitoria

    Tough, drought-tolerant and easy to shear into a hedge.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

  • Dwarf Southern Wax Myrtle Myrica (Morella) cerifera 'Don's Dwarf'

    A compact evergreen for low hedges.

    Brings in: BeesBirds

Instead of

Thorny olive

Elaeagnus pungens

Rank 2: a serious invader

A fast screen that birds spread into nearby woods.

Also called: elaeagnus, silverthorn, silverberry

Plant these natives instead

  • Southern Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera

    A fast-growing evergreen screen with fragrant leaves.

    Brings in: Bees

  • Yaupon Holly (male) Ilex vomitoria

    Dense evergreen for screening. A male plant bears no berries.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

Instead of

Japanese spiraea

Spiraea japonica

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Spreads into woods and along streams and forms dense patches.

Also called: spirea, Anthony Waterer, Goldflame, Little Princess

Plant these natives instead

  • Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa

    Fuzzy pink flower spikes in summer. Handles damp soil.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the spring azure butterfly and more.

  • Meadowsweet Spiraea latifolia

    White to pale pink flowers that attract lots of pollinators.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the spring azure butterfly and more.

  • Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius

    Clusters of white flowers and peeling bark.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

Instead of

Butterfly bush

Buddleja davidii

Rank 2: a serious invader

Seeds itself into roadsides and stream banks. It feeds adult butterflies but not their caterpillars.

Also called: buddleia, buddleja

Plant these natives instead

  • Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis

    Round white flower heads that pull in butterflies. Grows in wet or average soil.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesHummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

    Feeds 20+ kinds of caterpillars.

  • Summersweet Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

    Fragrant pink summer flowers, busy with bees and butterflies.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesHummingbirdsBirds

    Feeds several kinds of caterpillars.

  • New York Ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis

    A tall perennial with purple flowers in late summer, a butterfly favorite.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the Parthenice tiger moth and more. Pollen for 12 specialist bee species.

Instead of

Autumn olive and multiflora rose

Elaeagnus umbellata, Rosa multiflora

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Birds spread both into fields and wood edges, where they form dense, thorny thickets.

Also called: autumn olive, wild rose, multiflora rose

Plant these natives instead

  • Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'

    White spring flowers and red berries for birds.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the coral hairstreak and more.

  • Possumhaw Holly Ilex decidua

    Red berries that feed birds all winter.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

  • American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana

    Bright purple berries in fall.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for azure butterflies and the snowberry clearwing moth.

Instead of

Bush honeysuckles

Lonicera maackii, L. fragrantissima

Rank 2: a serious invader

Leaf out early and shade out wildflowers in the woods. Birds spread the seeds.

Also called: Amur honeysuckle, winter honeysuckle, fragrant honeysuckle, sweet breath of spring

Plant these natives instead

  • Southern Bush Honeysuckle Diervilla sessilifolia

    Our native bush honeysuckle, with yellow flowers in summer.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesHummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

  • Spicebush (female) Lindera benzoin

    Tiny yellow flowers in late winter, like fragrant honeysuckle. Host plant for the spicebush swallowtail.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly and more.

  • Sweetshrub Calycanthus floridus

    Sweet-smelling maroon flowers in spring.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the saddleback caterpillar moth and more.

Instead of

Linden viburnum

Viburnum dilatatum

Rank 2: a serious invader

Birds carry its red berries into the woods.

Also called: viburnum

Plant these natives instead

  • Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum

    White flowers and blue berries that birds love.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the spring azure butterfly and more.

  • Mapleleaf Viburnum Viburnum acerifolium

    A smaller viburnum for shade, with pink-purple fall color.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

  • Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium

    White flowers, dark fruit and red fall color.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

Instead of

Leatherleaf mahonia

Mahonia bealei

Rank 2: a serious invader

Birds spread the berries into shady woods.

Also called: mahonia, grape holly

Plant these natives instead

  • Drooping Laurel Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Scarletta'

    An evergreen for shade, with new growth that comes in red.

  • Yellowroot Xanthorhiza simplicissima

    A low shrub for shade with tiny purple flowers in early spring.

    Brings in: Bees

  • Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides

    An evergreen fern that stays green all winter.

Instead of

Hardy orange

Citrus trifoliata

Rank 2: a serious invader

Spreads into woods and fields and forms thorny thickets.

Also called: trifoliate orange, flying dragon

Plant these natives instead

  • Yaupon Holly (female) Ilex vomitoria

    Makes a dense, tough evergreen hedge with red berries.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

  • Inkberry Holly Ilex glabra

    An evergreen hedge for sun or part shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the Henry's elfin butterfly. Pollen for specialist bees.

Instead of

Golden bamboo

Phyllostachys aurea

Rank 2: a serious invader

Spreads underground far past where it was planted and is very hard to remove.

Also called: bamboo, fishpole bamboo

Plant these natives instead

  • Southern Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera

    A fast-growing evergreen screen.

    Brings in: Bees

  • Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'

    A tall, upright grass for a quick summer screen.

    Brings in: Birds

    Feeds 10+ kinds of moth caterpillars.

Instead of

Wineberry

Rubus phoenicolasius

Rank 2: a serious invader

Forms thorny thickets in woods and along streams.

Also called: wine raspberry

Plant these natives instead

  • Rabbiteye Blueberry Vaccinium virgatum 'Premier'

    Blueberries for you and the birds.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Feeds 210+ kinds of caterpillars. Pollen for 14 specialist bee species.

  • Elderberry Sambucus canadensis

    Elderberries for jam, syrup and birds.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

Groundcovers

Instead of

English ivy and wintercreeper

Hedera helix, Euonymus fortunei

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Smother the forest floor and climb trees. English ivy is Rank 1, wintercreeper Rank 2.

Also called: ivy, wintercreeper euonymus, purple wintercreeper

Plant these natives instead

  • Allegheny Spurge Pachysandra procumbens

    A semi-evergreen groundcover for shade, with fragrant spring flowers. Spreads slowly.

  • Green and Gold Chrysogonum virginianum 'Pierre'

    Yellow flowers from spring into summer in sun or shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

  • Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia 'Running Tapestry'

    Spreads to carpet shady areas and has white flowers in spring.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

  • Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides

    An evergreen fern that stays green all winter in dry shade.

Instead of

Periwinkle

Vinca minor

Rank 2: a serious invader

Forms solid mats in the woods where native wildflowers can't grow.

Also called: vinca, myrtle

Plant these natives instead

  • Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'

    A low mat of purple flowers in spring, for part shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

    Feeds several kinds of caterpillars.

  • Dwarf Crested Iris Iris cristata

    A small spreading iris with lavender flowers in spring.

    Brings in: BeesHummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

  • Woodland Stonecrop Sedum ternatum 'Larinem Park'

    A little evergreen sedum for shade, with starry white flowers.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

Instead of

Creeping Jenny

Lysimachia nummularia

Rank 2: a serious invader

Spreads quickly into lawns, woods and wet areas.

Also called: moneywort, golden creeping Jenny

Plant these natives instead

  • Golden Ragwort Packera aurea

    Golden yellow spring flowers and evergreen leaves. Likes moist spots.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the eastern tailed-blue and more.

  • Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'

    A sunny mat of blue flowers in spring.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

    Feeds several kinds of caterpillars.

Instead of

Ground ivy (creeping Charlie)

Glechoma hederacea

Rank 2: a serious invader

Creeps through lawns and beds and roots wherever it touches.

Also called: creeping Charlie, gill-over-the-ground

Plant these natives instead

  • Walter's Violet Viola walteri 'Silver Gem'

    A tiny evergreen violet with silver leaves and purple spring flowers.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

    Caterpillar host for the variegated fritillary butterfly and more.

  • Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera 'Pink Ridge'

    A low mat of pink flowers in spring for part shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

    Feeds several kinds of caterpillars.

  • Green and Gold Chrysogonum virginianum 'Superstar'

    Yellow flowers from spring into summer.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

Instead of

Lesser celandine

Ficaria verna

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Carpets moist woods and stream banks in spring and crowds out native wildflowers.

Also called: fig buttercup

Plant these natives instead

  • Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica

    Blue spring flowers for moist shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesPollinator favorite

  • Roundleaf Groundsel Packera obovata

    Yellow spring flowers above evergreen leaves.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the eastern tailed-blue and more.

  • Woodland Phlox Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon'

    Fragrant blue spring flowers for shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the spotted straw moth and more.

Instead of

Garlic mustard

Alliaria petiolata

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Spreads through shady woods, and its roots release chemicals that harm native plants.

Also called: hedge garlic

Plant these natives instead

  • Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia

    White spring flowers for shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

  • Woodland Phlox Phlox divaricata 'May Breeze'

    Fragrant white spring flowers.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the spotted straw moth and more.

  • Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum

    Pink spring flowers in woodland gardens.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

    Feeds several kinds of caterpillars.

Instead of

Japanese knotweed

Reynoutria japonica

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Forms tall, bamboo-like stands that spread by roots and are very hard to kill.

Also called: Japanese bamboo, Mexican bamboo

Plant these natives instead

  • Wingstem Verbesina alternifolia

    A tall perennial with yellow late-summer flowers for pollinators.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Feeds 20 kinds of caterpillars. Pollen for 17 specialist bee species.

  • False Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides

    Tall, with yellow flowers all summer.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the red-banded hairstreak butterfly. Pollen for 5 specialist bee species.

  • Goat's Beard Aruncus dioicus

    Tall, feathery white flowers for shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

    Caterpillar host for the dusky azure butterfly.

Instead of

Italian arum

Arum italicum

Rank 2: a serious invader

Spreads by seed and tubers, and every part of the plant is poisonous.

Also called: lords and ladies, arum

Plant these natives instead

  • Coral Bells Heuchera americana 'Dale's Strain'

    Silvery evergreen leaves for shade.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Pollen for a specialist bee.

  • Seersucker Sedge Carex plantaginea

    Wide, bright green evergreen leaves for shade.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the mulberry wing butterfly and more.

  • Blue Wood Sedge Carex flaccosperma

    A low, blue-green evergreen sedge.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the mulberry wing butterfly and more.

Instead of

Beefsteak plant

Perilla frutescens

Rank 2: a serious invader

Reseeds heavily and is poisonous to cattle and horses.

Also called: perilla, shiso

Plant these natives instead

  • Beardtongue Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'

    Burgundy leaves and white flowers in early summer.

    Brings in: BeesHummingbirdsPollinator favorite

  • Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum muticum

    A mint-family plant that draws more pollinators than almost anything.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the pearl crescent butterfly.

  • Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace'

    Lavender flowers in summer for bees and butterflies.

    Brings in: BeesHummingbirdsPollinator favorite

    Feeds several kinds of caterpillars.

Vines

Instead of

Japanese honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Climbs over and smothers shrubs and young trees.

Also called: honeysuckle vine, Hall's honeysuckle

Plant these natives instead

  • Coral Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler'

    Red trumpet flowers that hummingbirds love, and it stays in bounds.

    Brings in: HummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the snowberry clearwing moth and more.

  • Cross Vine Bignonia capreolata 'Tangerine Beauty'

    Orange trumpet flowers in spring, with evergreen leaves.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesHummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the rustic sphinx moth and more.

  • Carolina Jessamine Gelsemium sempervirens 'Pride of Augusta'

    Yellow late-winter flowers on an evergreen vine.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesHummingbirdsBirds

Instead of

Chinese and Japanese wisteria

Wisteria sinensis, W. floribunda

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Can pull down trees and spread widely along streams.

Also called: wisteria

Plant these natives instead

  • American Wisteria Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'

    The native wisteria. Blooms young, grows more slowly and is easier to manage.

    Brings in: BeesBirds

Instead of

Sweet autumn clematis

Clematis terniflora

Rank 2: a serious invader

Seeds itself heavily into woods and fence rows.

Also called: autumn clematis

Plant these natives instead

  • Virgin's Bower Clematis virginiana

    Our native lookalike, with white late-summer flowers and feathery seed heads.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the clematis clearwing moth.

  • Climbing Aster Ampelaster carolinianus

    A climbing aster with pink-lavender flowers in fall, when butterflies need them most.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the pearl crescent butterfly.

Instead of

Bittersweet, porcelain berry and other aggressive vines

Celastrus orbiculatus, Ampelopsis glandulosa, Akebia quinata, Pueraria montana, Dioscorea polystachya

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

These vines climb over and smother trees and shrubs. Oriental bittersweet, porcelain berry, kudzu and Chinese yam are Rank 1. Five-leaf akebia is Rank 2.

Also called: oriental bittersweet, porcelain berry, akebia, chocolate vine, kudzu, Chinese yam, cinnamon vine

Plant these natives instead

  • Passion Flower Passiflora incarnata

    Fast-growing, with showy purple flowers. Host plant for the gulf fritillary butterfly.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the gulf fritillary butterfly and more.

  • Coral Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens

    Red trumpet flowers for hummingbirds.

    Brings in: HummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the snowberry clearwing moth and more.

  • Cross Vine Bignonia capreolata 'Tangerine Beauty'

    Orange trumpet flowers and evergreen leaves.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesHummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the rustic sphinx moth and more.

Grasses and lawns

Instead of

Miscanthus

Miscanthus sinensis

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

Seeds into fields and roadsides, where it crowds out native plants.

Also called: maiden grass, Chinese silver grass, zebra grass, porcupine grass, eulalia

Plant these natives instead

  • Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'

    Upright blue-green clumps with airy seed heads.

    Brings in: Birds

    Feeds 10+ kinds of moth caterpillars.

  • Little Bluestem Grass Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation'

    Blue-green in summer and orange-red in fall.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the dusted skipper and more.

  • Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans 'Golden Sunset'

    Golden plumes in fall and a graceful form.

  • Pink Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris

    Clouds of pink seed heads in fall.

    Brings in: Birds

Instead of

Japanese blood grass

Imperata cylindrica

Rank 2: a serious invader

A form of cogongrass, which is on the federal noxious weed list.

Also called: cogongrass, Red Baron grass

Plant these natives instead

  • Red Switch Grass Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'

    Red-tipped leaves in summer that turn burgundy in fall.

    Brings in: Birds

    Feeds 10+ kinds of moth caterpillars.

  • Little Bluestem Grass Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues'

    Blue leaves that turn red-purple in fall.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the dusted skipper and more.

Instead of

Japanese stiltgrass

Microstegium vimineum

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

An annual grass that blankets shady yards and woods by late summer.

Also called: stiltgrass, Nepalese browntop

Plant these natives instead

  • Creek Sedge Carex amphibola

    An evergreen sedge that fills in shady spots.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the Appalachian brown butterfly and more.

  • River Oats Chasmanthium latifolium

    A shade grass with seed heads that dangle like little fish.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the pepper and salt skipper and more.

  • Bottlebrush Grass Elymus hystrix

    A woodland grass with bottlebrush seed heads.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the northern pearl eye butterfly.

Instead of

Johnson grass

Sorghum halepense

Rank 2: a serious invader

A tall, weedy grass that spreads by seed and thick underground stems.

Also called: Johnsongrass

Plant these natives instead

  • Little Bluestem Grass Schizachyrium scoparium

    Blue-green in summer and copper in fall.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the dusted skipper and more.

  • Switchgrass Panicum virgatum

    Tall, upright clumps with airy seed heads.

    Brings in: Birds

    Feeds 10+ kinds of moth caterpillars.

Instead of

Asiatic hawk's-beard, field garlic and chickweed

Youngia japonica, Allium vineale, Stellaria media

Rank 1: among the worst invaders

These weeds fill thin spots in lawns and beds. Asiatic hawk's-beard is Rank 1, and the others are Rank 2. Where grass struggles, a native groundcover may be easier.

Also called: wild garlic, onion grass, chickweed, hawksbeard, lawn weeds

Plant these natives instead

  • Plantain Pussytoes Antennaria plantaginifolia

    A low, silvery groundcover for sunny, dry spots.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirds

    Caterpillar host for the American lady butterfly and more.

  • Appalachian Sedge Carex appalachica

    A fine-leaved sedge that works as a lawn in dry shade.

    Brings in: Birds

    Caterpillar host for the little wood satyr butterfly and more.

  • Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata 'Fort Hill'

    A sunny mat of pink flowers in spring.

    Brings in: BeesButterflies

    Feeds several kinds of caterpillars.

Wet spots

Instead of

Yellow flag iris

Iris pseudacorus

Rank 2: a serious invader

Takes over wetlands and pond edges.

Also called: yellow iris, water flag

Plant these natives instead

  • Virginia Iris Iris virginica

    The native blue flag iris, for pond edges and rain gardens.

    Brings in: BeesHummingbirds

    Feeds several kinds of moth caterpillars.

  • Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis

    Scarlet late-summer flowers for hummingbirds.

    Brings in: HummingbirdsBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the pink-washed looper moth and more.

Instead of

Purple loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria

Rank 2: a serious invader

Crowds out native wetland plants. On the NC noxious weed list.

Also called: loosestrife

Plant these natives instead

  • Gayfeather Liatris spicata

    Purple flower spikes in summer, loved by butterflies.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the glorious flower moth and more.

  • Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica

    Blue flower spikes in late summer for moist soil.

    Brings in: BeesHummingbirdsBirds

    Caterpillar host for the pink-washed looper moth and more.

  • Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium (Eutrochium) fistulosum

    Tall, with big pink flower heads and plenty of butterflies.

    Brings in: BeesButterfliesBirdsPollinator favorite

    Caterpillar host for the three-lined flower moth and more.

That’s the whole garden

Invasive rankings come from the 2023 NC Invasive Plants List, approved by the NC Native Plant Society and the NC Invasive Plant Council. Many of the swaps follow the NC Native Plant Society’s own Plant This Instead guide. This page covers Rank 1 and Rank 2 plants that often turn up in yards. The full NC Invasive Plants List has more.

Stock changes through the season, so if a plant is sold out, call us at 336-650-1111 and we can suggest another native that fits your spot.