Regional Picks: Alternatives to Invasives – Southern Plains

Invasive – Russian Olive

( Elaegnus angustifolia )

1. Silver Buffaloberry

Name:Shepherdia argentea

USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 6

Size:8 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 10 foundation across-the-board

shape : Full sun to fond shade ; any well - drained stain

A cousin of Russian olive , silver buffaloberry is a stale - sturdy ornamental with silvery leaf and showy red berries ( on distaff plant ) . Grow it as a big bush , or prune the lower limbs to imprint a small multistemmed tree diagram . Silver buffaloberry also makes an excellent habitat plant . songbird relish its tart yield and nest in its setaceous limb , where they ’re dependable from sign of the zodiac cats and other predators .

Invasive – Soapwort

( Saponaria officinalis )

2. ‘Max Frei’ Soapwort

Name:Saponarialempergii‘Max Frei’

Zones:5 to 8

Size:1 substructure marvelous and 18 inches broad

Conditions : Full Dominicus to partial shade ; prefer moderately damp , ordinary loam

A deplorably underutilized perennial , ‘ Max Frei ’ bouncing Bess is a standout in late summer . For well over a month , quarter - size pinkish flowers completely steep the plant . This cascading low grower micturate a well - act ground cover , demand no coddling , and goes untouched by pests and grazing cervid .

Invasive – Ox-Eye Daisy

( Leucanthemum vulgare )

3. ‘Lucky Star’ Coneflower

Name:Echinacea purpurea‘Lucky Star’

Zones:3 to 9

Size:36 to 40 inches improbable and 18 inches all-embracing

Conditions : Full Sunday ; choose middling damp , average loam

A new source - grown , snowy - flowering cultivar , ‘ Lucky Star ’ coneflower is a sturdy , vigorous cultivator that flower from midsummer to devolve . Its nectar - rich flowers attract butterflies and bees in droves , making it a must for habitat garden . After the heyday slice , leave them on the flora to attract seed - eating finches and other birds during the fall and winter months .

Invasive – Donkeytail Spurge

( Euphorbia myrsinites )

4. ‘Blue Haze’ Spurge

Name:Euphorbia‘Blue Haze’

Zones:5 to 10

Size:18 inch tall and 2 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun to partial refinement ; infertile , dry to somewhat moist , well - drained grease

There is , luckily , a well - behaved alternative to the popular but extremely trespassing donkeytail spurge . uninspired and well-situated to grow , ‘ Blue Haze ’ spurge has blue - gray leafage yr - round and delicate Paris green flowers in summertime . This deer - tolerant kind is an first-class choice for hot , teetotal garden and commix easily with other flowering perennials , succulents , and cacti .

David Salman is founder and primary plantsman of High Country Gardens in Santa Fe , New Mexico .

pic : # 1 ( trespassing ) , Patrick Breen , Oregon State University / www.bugwood.org ; # 1 ( alternative ) and # 2 ( alternative ) , Courtesy of David Salman ; # 2 ( invasive ) , Stan Gilliam and Lawrence S. Gilliam ; # 3 ( incursive ) , Keith Weller , USDA Agricultural Research Service / www.bugwood.org ; # 3 ( alternative ) , www.perennialresource.com ; # 4 ( trespassing and substitute ) , www.millettephotomedia.com

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