Connecticut Considers Ban of Common Landscape Plants

Scientists in Connecticut are concerned by the invasion of landscape plants into the state's wilderness areas. Some ornamental species produce an abundance of seeds that are carried into natural areas by the wind, birds or other wildlife. Vigorous plants chosen for horticultural use sometimes out compete native plants for space and light. Officials are considering a ban on several species and their cultivars.

Three of the plants considered for the ban are burning bush, Norway maple and Japanese barberry. A controversy is brewing between ornamental plant growers and government agencies proposing the ban. Growers contend that some cultivars, for example the 'Crimson Pygmy' cultivar of Japanese barberry is not invasive and feel that this valuable plant should not be included in the ban. Botanists say offspring of cultivars may not resemble the parents and are likely to be invasive like the species.

Link: States Weigh Ban of Shrubs that Threaten Native Plants from National Public Radio (audio file plays with Real Player or Windows Media Player)

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 6:35 PM on July 19, 2005