Why We Use Aggressive Native Plants
If you have ever spent a weekend digging out handfuls of a plant that is rapidly conquering your garden beds, you have probably cursed its existence. But it also raises a fascinating ecological question that we hear all the time at REWILD:
“If a native plant spreads like crazy and takes over my yard, why is it considered a good thing, but when a non-native plant does the exact same thing, it is labeled 'invasive'?”
Totally fair! After all, a fast-spreading plant is a fast-spreading plant, right? Not quite. In the world of ecological landscaping, the difference between a highly aggressive native plant and an invasive non-native plant isn't about how fast they grow—it’s about who eats them.
Clearing Up the Terminology
irst, let’s clear up a common misconception. In ecology, the word “invasive” is a strict scientific label. It is reserved exclusively for non-native species that move into an ecosystem and cause harm by aggressively outcompeting local plant life.
Native plants can be incredibly enthusiastic, vigorous, and territorial, but they can never be truly invasive. Instead, we refer to them as aggressive native plants.
Examples you might see in Ottawa:
Goldenrod (Solidago): A late-season pollinator powerhouse (and no, it doesn't cause hay fever!).
Common Milkweed: The essential host plant for Monarch butterflies.
Black-Eyed Susan: A tough, cheerful bloomer that thrives in full sun.
Serviceberry: A stunning native tree that offers spring blooms and edible berries.
Fighting Fire with Fire
Because aggressive native plants are so incredibly tough and resilient, they are actually one of our best tools for ecosystem restoration. By introducing a highly competitive, fast-spreading native plant into a tricky area, we can use its natural competitive edge to hold the ground, reclaim the soil, and physically keep invasive weeds from gaining a foothold.
Embracing ecological landscaping doesn't mean you have to hand your entire property over to the wildest, most energetic plants available. It is all about choosing the right plant for the right space. If you have a small, structured urban garden bed, you might want to skip aggressive plants and opt for a more chill native species. But if you have a tough slope to stabilize, a low spot that needs heavy-duty coverage, or an invasive weed problem you are trying to manage, letting some of our local spreaders loose might be exactly what your yard needs to thrive.
Ready to transform your landscape?
Whether you need help clearing out non-native weeds or want to design a beautiful, functional habitat using our favourite native species, the REWILD team is here to help!
