GardenSmart Oregon: a Guide to Non-invasive Plants

Each plant is unique, not only in how it looks, but also in the growing conditions it requires. There are no exact substitutes for invasive plants, so check the characteristics of any alternative you are considering to ensure it will grow in your situation.

Many invasive plants can grow in a wide variety of challenging conditions. For example, English ivy is both a groundcover and a vine, grows in both full sun and full shade, tolerates drought, and is hardy down to about -20° F. Suitable replacements need to fit your specific circumstances. Creeping juniper might be a good replacement in full sun, but Barren strawberry would be a better option in shade.

USDA Hardiness Zones
USDA hardiness zones are based on a single factor: average minimum temperature. Lower numbered zones experience lower temperatures, so plants must be tougher to survive there. Choose alternatives with a USDA zone equal to or lower than the zone where you live. For example, in Zone 7, a Zone 5 plant may be fine, but a Zone 8 plant probably won’t survive the winter.

USDA zones do not account for other conditions such as moisture and light, so keep that in mind when choosing alternatives. Some of our recommended plants may be suitable only in western, eastern or southern Oregon, but not throughout the entire zone.

Your local nursery can help you select the best alternatives for your location.

What you can do........2
Guide to plant selection........3

View the complete GardenSmart Guide as well flip through the table of contents.

Invasive Trees and Shrubs
Brooms and Gorse........4
Butterfly bush........6
English holly........8
European hawthorn........10
Himalayan blackberry........12
Knotweeds........14
Russian olive........16
Saltcedar........18
Spurge laurel........20
Tree of heaven........22

Invasive Herbaceous Plants
Bachelor’s button and Knapweeds........24
Fennel........26
Hawkweeds........28
Herb Robert and Shiningstar geranium........30
Jupata grass........32
Myrtle and Leafy spurges........34
Policeman’s helmet........36
Toadflaxes........38

Invasive Groundcover and Vine Plants
English and Irish ivy........40
Old man’s beard........42

Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants
Parrotfeather and Brazilian elodea........44
Purple loosestrife........46
Ribbongrass........48
Yellow flag iris........50
Resources........52