I know. This is Takoma Park and we take pride in our commitment to non-violence… but that does NOT apply to invasive plants in my yard.
Twenty years ago, when I bought my house, I didn’t notice it was landscaped almost entirely with non-native species—I couldn’t have told you the difference between native and non-native. (My crush on the neighborhood was so strong, I didn’t even notice the 80-foot oak tree growing out from under the front porch until the day I had signed the mortgage and moved in.)
In those first years, I gardened what I was given, because that is what I could afford. That meant I added even more non-natives to the mix… hostas anyone?
I remember thinking “bamboo is pretty,” or “wisteria looks so lovely when it blooms,” “nandina has such pretty berries in the winter,” and “English ivy, vinca, and liriope are all so lush and green!” Shudder.
If you’re like me, your gardening aesthetic has evolved over time. I had to learn vigilance and patience. Early, I prioritized “neat” and “tidy” with occasional pops of color on the edges of my bright, immaculately groomed lawn. I inherited that aesthetic, and it took me a while to grow out of it.
Gradually my beds got larger each year and less formal, until the lawn was buried under cardboard and wood chips. In the meantime, I developed a passion for native plants. And that passion led me to wage an all-out war against the invasive species in my yard.
My gardening approach continues to evolve. I’m actively planning a layout and design that will invite native butterflies, birds, and other critters so that we can all hang out together. Stay tuned…
–Julie, Ward 2, Takoma Park MD
Friends of Native Trees in Takoma 