Invasive Plants

In accordance with FGS Guidelines & Regulations, there are a number of prohibited species which should be dug up and removed, bagged and placed in the dumpster after removal.

As a general rule, when digging up/removing invasive plants, use a pitchfork or hand tool with long tines to loosen the dirt rather than a shovel—using a shovel may simply cut off roots/pieces which will easily grow back.

It’s also important to carefully remove any flowers, seeds or pods immediately to keep plants from dropping seed, another way plantings spread.

As a reminder, weed killer is not allowed in the Gardens! If you need help on technique, please contact the VP of the Park and your Area Directors.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF HERE:

GARDENER RESOURCES:

UMassAmherst – Extension Office

UMassAmherst – New England Management Vegetable Guide

MassAudubon – Invasive Plants

MASSAUDUBON – Common FGS Invasives

Garlic Mustard
(Alliaria petiolata)
1Garlic Mustard

Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)

1Glossy Buckthorn
1Glossy Buckthorn2

Goutweed
(Aegopodium podagraria)
1Goutweed1Goutweed2

Japanese Knotweed
(Fallopia japonica)
1Japanese Knotweed

Multiflora Rose
(Rosa multiflora)
1Multiflora Rose1Multiflora Rose2

Oriental Bittersweet
(Celastrus orbiculatus)
1Oriental Bittersweet1Oriental Bittersweet21Oriental Bittersweet3

Porcelain-berry
(Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)
1Porcelain-berry

Purple Loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria)
1Purple Loosestrife

Swallow-wort
(Cynanchum louiseae)
1Swallow-wort1Swallow-wort21Swallow-wort3

Yellow Iris
(Iris pseudacorus)
1Yellow Iris1Yellow Iris2

INVASIVE WEEDS

In addition, there are a number of common weeds in the Gardens, many of which are summarized in this article.

In particular, we have a problem managing the following which are not “prohibited” but are invasive and should be removed (they quickly overwhelm fence lines and other plantings and create visibility problems):

Climbing Nightshade
(Solanum dulcamara)
1climbing nightshade1climbing nightshade2

Bindweed
(Convolvulus arvensis)
1Bindweed

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