Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022 - 81

SINGING IN THE GARDEN
vides a bounty of fruits for both humans and birds. Autumn
olive jam is bright red and tart.
My Nana always said, " a weed is just a plant out of
place. " The problem with UFOs is that they are " plants
out of place all over the place. " These obnoxious growers
outwit, outcompete and outlast their more sedate native
neighbors.
I manage an outdoor learning lab which is a designated
Monarch Waystation. It is an acre and a half of open
wetland meadow with a healthy stand of milkweed. In
addition, my students have catalogued at least 30 species
of flowering plants growing there which include wild
strawberries, golden Alexanders, asters, goldenrods and
even a fairly rare native species of loosestrife (Lythrum
alatum). But, all of these flowering plants are being swallowed
by autumn olives, multiflora rose, white poplar
(Populus alba), and wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa).
It is almost impossible to pull, cut, and spray every
invasive. Nevertheless, we fight on because, without
intervention, our school's learning lab will lose its diversity.
I read somewhere that goats love to eat autumn
olive, multiflora rose and wild parsnip. Perhaps it's time
for me to give these hoofed harvesters a shot at obliterating
the invaders.
In the meantime, my students and I will continue
to eradicate them where we can. My family will attack
them on the farm and hope that our neighbors will do
the same.
Why am I telling you this now? I was surprised to
find English ivy, vinca minor, wisteria, mimosa tree, barberry,
and burning bush on the list of invasive species.
These, and more, are all still sold at gardening centers
and online. As you plan for next year's garden, avoid
plants that might one day become problems. When they
push out native species, then birds and butterflies lose
important food sources.
If homeowners and gardeners unite, perhaps we can
stop at least some of these aggressive space invaders
from taking over the mountains. They don't come in
peace.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 81
http://helenga.org

Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022

Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022 - 1
Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022 - 2
Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022 - 3
Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022 - 4
Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022 - 5
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