Oregon is a gardener’s dream. Our varied climates and mild conditions allow us to showcase a wide variety of plants from around the world. In fact, nursery crops are Oregon’s number one agricultural commodity.

Unfortunately, a few plants used in gardens and landscapes cause serious ecological harm by “jumping the fence” and spreading elsewhere. These invasive plants can become serious problems that threaten water quality, wildlife, and our economy by crowding out native plants, changing stream flows, increasing erosion, competing with crops, or creating fire hazards.

This booklet offers gardeners and landscape designers many choices of plants that work for gardens while protecting the health and beauty of Oregon’s natural lands and waters. We highlight plants that should be avoided because they are invasive and offer non-invasive alternatives (both native and nonnative ornamentals) that you can plant safely.

Use this booklet as a guide to help you make the most informed choices for your garden, water garden, or landscape, and enjoy your garden!

NOTICE: There is a correction to page 6. Since this printing, butterfly bush varieties that produce seed are still regarded as a B-rated weed in Oregon, but the good news is that non-seeding cultivars of butterfly bush are now sold as an alternative. When buying, always verify with your nursery that the butterfly bush is a non-seeding cultivar! 

See the Oregon Department of Agriculture's list of approved butterfly bush cultivars:  https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/nurserychristmastree/pages/butterflybush.aspx

 

Access Materials: 
View PDF
Product Number: 
ORESU-H-10-003
Year of Publication: 
2010
Price: 
Free
Length: 
54 pages
Size and Format: 
5 1/2 x 8 1/2