Down With Invasives
Courtesy of Friends of James River Facebook;
Here’s a great volunteer gig for anyone who feels like YANKING on something. Courtesy of The Friends will be removing vincas and other tough invasive plants in and around Pony Pasture this Saturday starting at 1pm. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Just email elainemarolla@yahoo.com to register.
I wish the City would impose a steep fine on anyone who plants invasives, such as Vinca, Ivy, Bamboo, Creeping Raspberry, Trumpet Vine, Wysteria and so forth. Each and every one of these is in a neighbor’s yard, and not only encroaches and damages others’ property, but frequently knocks out the power on our grid. Impatient gardeners need to understand that “fast-growing” frequently equates “invasive.”
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a native plant and an important source of nectar for Ruby Throated hummingbirds.
A huge problem is residents (illegally but contentedly) dumping yard waste and clippings in our parks. This happens constantly, and is a contributing source of the non-native invasives in the parks.
Another problem is the fact that many people allow English ivy to climb up into trees, where it can produce fruits/seeds, which are then eaten and dispersed by birds.
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