plantyhamchuk:

Sharleen Johnson, the ecologist mentioned in this article, is pretty awesome and has an amazing garden! A lot of the species mentioned here are thugs all around the US South and Mid-Atlantic region (and possibly many others).

There are many excellent native plants that can be substituted for invasive species. We get customers demanding the horrible mess that is burning bush because it has bright fall color, and is super easy to grow. Better alternative? Blueberry! Or Itea! Both native with great red fall color, they help the local environment, and are better behaved plants.

There’s actually a huge crossover between the permaculture community and the invasive species lovers - they both like plants that are ridiculously easy to grow, and neither are taking responsibility for their ecological problems they’re creating. Support your local native plant societies, it’s an easy way to help heal the planet.