Habitat Acquisition Trust' Invasive Plant Guide

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Invasive Plants
- What are invasive plants?
- Common invasive plants to watch out for
- Tips and techniques for removal
-  Easy-to-grow native plant alternatives  
Inside...
A guide to protecting our local habitats by removing invasive plants from your garden! 
 
...and more!  
In Your Garden 

To the reader...
The purpose of this guide is to assist in identifying some of the Capital Region's most common and problematic invasive plants, and to 
offer guidelines for their removal. By learning how to control invasive plants effectively, readers of this guide can become better 
stewards of nature and help improve habitat for local wildlife. The list of invasive plant species covered in this guide is not exhaustive. 
For a complete listing of all invasive plants in BC, visit bcinvasives.ca or call the Invasive Species Council of BC 250-305-1003.
The removal techniques recommended here are based on current best practices but do not include specialized approaches that may 
vary depending on site conditions, time of year and other variables. Speak to an expert for site-specific advice.
What are invasive species? 
Invasive species are any non-native organism that 
cause economic or environmental harm and can 
spread quickly to new areas. 
An invasive plant is any plant species that has the 
potential to pose undesirable or detriment al 
impact s on people, animals or ecosystems. These 
plants spread quickly because they have few natural 
controls to keep their populations in check. Some 
invasive plants modify soil chemistry which can 
reduce the success of plants nearby. 
Alien, exotic, ornamental, non-native are terms used 
to describe plants that are not native to an area but 
are not necessarily invasive.  
Why should I remove invasive plants? 
Many invasive plant species are detrimental to our local environment, society and economy, and some 
may even pose a threat to human and animal health. When you remove invasive plants from your land, 
you prevent the spread of invasive plants and make a positive impact in your community. 
Invasive plants:
Introduction to this guide
Native grasses and wildflowers are well adapted to our climate and are a preferred, low maintenance alternative to traditional lawns
English Ivy carpets the ground and climbs trees, choking out native plants
P at tractive and easy to grow
P well-suited for our local climate and seasons
P benefit native birds and bees by providing food and shelter
 P require less watering if placed in suitable site
P can discourage some invasive plants from establishing
P can help stabilize soil against erosion
P can improve soil-water retention
P create resilience to disease or drought events
Why garden with native plant s? 
Woodland Strawberry is 
an edible ground cover
-reduce property values and property use including agriculture and forestry
-increase maintenance costs for parks and other public lands
-reduce biodiversity, pollination of crops and natural pest control
-decrease soil health and s

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