From Invasive Meadow to Native Haven: A Guide to Reclaiming Your Piedmont Backyard

Reclaiming Your Backyard: Native Plants to Combat Invasives

Invasive plants can quickly overrun a garden, making it difficult to cultivate desired species and disrupting the local ecosystem. This article focuses on how to replace invasive plants in your backyard with native alternatives, specifically addressing the challenges of a sunny, moderately wet environment in the North Carolina Piedmont (Eco region 8.3) and the concerns of pet owners.

Identifying the Enemy: Common Invasive Plants

Before tackling the replacement, it’s crucial to identify the invasive plants currently dominating your backyard. Common culprits in the North Carolina Piedmont include:

• Identify your invaders: Take time to positively identify the plants that are causing issues. Use online resources, local gardening groups, or your county extension office to confirm their identity.

Preparing the Ground: The Initial Steps

Once you’ve identified the invasives, you need to prepare the ground for planting. This process will help to suppress the existing plants and give the new natives a fighting chance. Here’s a practical approach:

1. Mowing: Cut the existing vegetation as low to the ground as possible.
2. Mulching: Cover the entire area with a thick layer of mulch. This will smother the existing plants, block sunlight, and suppress their growth.

Choosing the Right Native Plants: Aggressive, Beneficial, and Dog-Friendly

Selecting the right native plants is essential for successful replacement. The chosen plants should be:

• Aggressive growers: Able to compete effectively with the remaining invasives and colonize the space.
• Beneficial to the ecosystem: Supporting local wildlife, including pollinators and birds.
• Dog-friendly: Non-toxic or posing minimal risk to your canine companion.
• Adapted to Site Conditions: The plants should also be able to tolerate the wet/dry cycle.

Here are some native plant suggestions that fit the bill:

1. For Groundcover and Low-Growing Meadows

• Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana): Forms dense mats of foliage, spreading via runners, and tolerating full sun. Provides edible berries and attracts pollinators. The foliage is typically safe for dogs.
• Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium): Despite its name, it’s not a grass, but a member of the iris family. It forms clumps of grass-like foliage and produces delicate blue flowers in the spring. It’s adaptable to varying moisture levels and tolerates sun. The plant is not considered toxic to dogs.
• Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata): Another iris family member that is well-suited for shaded locations, this is a great plant to create borders and edges. It creates a ground cover and spreads slowly, helping to prevent erosion, and it also attracts pollinators.

2. For Mid-Height Meadow Components

• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): A clumping warm-season grass that thrives in full sun and tolerates drought. It provides excellent cover for wildlife and turns a beautiful reddish-bronze in the fall. It’s generally non-toxic to dogs.
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A classic meadow plant with daisy-like flowers that bloom throughout the summer. It’s a favorite of pollinators and offers attractive seed heads for birds in the fall. Coneflowers are generally not toxic to dogs.
• Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.): Various species of coreopsis offer bright yellow flowers and are very easy to grow. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and are generally non-toxic.

3. For Adding Vertical Interest

• New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae): This aster provides a late-season burst of color, attracting butterflies and other pollinators when many other plants have finished blooming. It prefers full sun and moist soil, making it a good choice for areas with slightly higher moisture levels. Asters are not considered toxic to dogs.
• Bee Balm (Monarda spp.): Offers vibrant blooms and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Bee balm prefers full sun and moist soil. It is a relatively aggressive spreader, making it a good competitor. It’s generally non-toxic to dogs.

Planting and Maintenance

• Planting: Plant the selected natives in the prepared area, following spacing recommendations for each species. Consider planting in drifts or clusters to create a more natural look.
• Watering: Water regularly until the plants are established. Once established, most native plants are drought-tolerant.
• Weeding: Be vigilant about weeding, especially in the first year, to prevent invasive plants from re-establishing.
• Monitoring: Observe your new meadow and make adjustments as needed. Some plants may perform better than others in your specific conditions. Consider adding more plants or adjusting the species mix based on their performance.
• Paths: Lean into the desire paths made by your dog. Create a more formalized, weaving path using mulch or stepping stones to provide easy access and define the space.

Addressing Neighbor Concerns

While you can’t control everything your neighbors do, it’s a good idea to communicate with them about your plans. Inform them about your intention to create a native plant meadow and the benefits it offers, such as increased biodiversity and reduced need for pesticides. This proactive communication can prevent misunderstandings and foster a more harmonious relationship.

Final Thoughts

Replacing invasive plants with native alternatives is an investment in the health of your backyard and the local ecosystem. While it may take time and effort, the rewards—a beautiful, thriving native meadow, a haven for wildlife, and a safe space for your dog—are well worth it. By choosing the right plants, preparing the ground effectively, and providing ongoing care, you can transform your backyard into a vibrant and ecologically beneficial space.