Grow your knowledge of invasive species
By: Cori Lee Miller
Invasive Oxeye Daisy
Every gardener wants their yard to be a haven for bright, beautiful plant life but what they might not know is that some of their favourite plants might not be so wonderful.
Some plants commonly found in backyard gardens are actually invasive species, which can upset natural plant life.
Examples include the creeping vine yellow clematis, the daisy-like flower scentless chamomile, and the small fruit bearing shrub sea-buckthorn.
Although many invasive species are easy on the eyes, Alberta Invasive Plants Council program co-ordinator Don Battiste, who also has a background in landscape design and professional gardening, said they pose a threat to naturally occurring species.
“The invasive plants that we’re concerned about are the ones covered in the Alberta Weed Control Act,” he said, adding these plants have the “ability to expand aggressively” into natural areas.
“Some of them can actually alter ecosystems.”
Battiste explained almost all plants used in yards these days aren’t native to Alberta, but are also not invasive. It’s a select few that are able to jump the fence that can result in the elimination or a decline of native species. Under the Alberta Weed Control Act, weeds are classified as noxious and prohibited noxious (rules expected to come down in June).
An invasive Oxeye Daisy. Photo provided by Alberta Invasive Plants Council
Weeds, such as the yellow star thistle, are found in few regions of Alberta in low populations and must be destroyed when they are found. Weeds like the Oxeye Daisy, are already established, found in many regions of the province and must be controlled.
Weeds, like hemp nettle, are common and found throughout the province. These weeds are so well biologically suited to Alberta they cannot be eradicated.
In a place like Cochrane, where land is under development, it is common to find invasive species making their homes on exposed dirt left behind during and after development.
“It’s a real issue and challenge for a place like Cochrane that has just been booming,” Battiste said.
According to Battiste, the best way to keep invasive species out of gardens and out of the environment is to do some research to find out what plants and flowers occur naturally in Alberta. He said use wild flower seed mixes put together locally, or have them put together specially at a greenhouse, rather than buying mixes from any store.
“A lot of those seed mixes are put together in Ontario or another province away from here or even in the States,” he said. “Typically almost 100 per cent of them have invasive plants mixed in, unintentionally sometimes.”
For more on invasive species, visit invasiveplants.ab.ca.
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Excellent article. One clarification—the new Alberta Weed Control Act, expected to be proclaimed mid-June, now has only two categories of weeds, Prohibited Noxious,(formerly Restricted) and Noxious. The Prohibited Noxious category will have 46 invasive plants listed that Alberta wants to keep out or eradicate compared to seven in the former Act.