Vines In The Landscape – Northwest Invasive Vine Plant Info
My feelings about vines are mixed. I love the look of vines, especially climbing over a fence or an arbor, but as a gardener and nature lover, I am concerned about invasive species. Several types of rambunctious vines fall into this category here in the Pacific Northwest. Here are TWO of the worst. English Ivy Vines English ivy is beautiful and well-behaved in many places, but it’s an invasive monster in the Northwest. The vine blankets shrubs and wraps itself around trees, which frequently die for lack of sunlight. The weight of the vines can also break branches, weaken trees, and make them more susceptible to disease. Ivy grows year-round in the moist, mild climate of Western Oregon and Washington. It crowds out native ferns and wildflowers, and it keeps wildlife away, with the exception of rats that live under the thick vines. Some species, including certain butterflies, are … Read More