Invasive Shade-Tolerant Garden Plants in Indiana

Indiana’s rich landscapes, including woodlands and riverbanks, are susceptible to invasive plants that thrive in shaded environments. These plants, often introduced for their ornamental value or ease of care, can spread aggressively and disrupt local ecosystems. Identifying these invasive species and selecting native alternatives is essential for maintaining Indiana’s natural beauty and ecological health.

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

List of Invasive Shade-Tolerant Garden Plants in Indiana

1. Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortune)

• Description: Wintercreeper is an evergreen vine or ground cover with glossy, dark green leaves. It is often used for erosion control and ground cover in shaded areas.

• Impact: It spreads aggressively, forming dense mats that smother native plants, reducing biodiversity in forests and shaded areas.

• Garden Alternative: Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) - A native ground cover with heart-shaped leaves that thrives in shade without the invasive tendencies.

  
  

2. Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

• Description: Japanese Stiltgrass is an annual grass with thin, pale green leaves that can grow in dense, shaded environments.

• Impact: It invades forests and shaded areas, outcompeting native ground cover plants and reducing plant diversity.

• Garden Alternative: Virginia Wildrye (Elymus virginicus) - A native grass that provides similar coverage in shaded areas without being invasive.

3. Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

• Description: A small, thorny shrub with bright red berries and small, glossy leaves. It is commonly planted for its ornamental value.

• Impact: Japanese Barberry can create dense thickets that crowd out native plants, particularly in shaded forest areas, and alter soil chemistry, making the environment less hospitable for native species.

• Garden Alternative: Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) - A native shrub that provides food and habitat for wildlife and thrives in shaded, moist environments.

4. Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)

• Description: Lesser Celandine is a low-growing perennial with shiny, heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers.

• Impact: It forms dense mats that outcompete native spring ephemerals, reducing biodiversity in shaded, moist environments.

• Garden Alternative: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - A native perennial with white flowers that supports early-season pollinators and thrives in similar conditions.

5. Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

• Description: Oriental Bittersweet is a deciduous, climbing vine with bright orange berries and glossy green leaves, often used for decorative purposes.

• Impact: It aggressively climbs and smothers native trees and shrubs, leading to significant ecological damage in shaded areas.

• Garden Alternative: American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) - A native alternative that provides similar ornamental value without the invasive characteristics.

6. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

• Description: Periwinkle is a low-growing ground cover with glossy evergreen leaves and blue or purple flowers. It is often used for its ability to quickly cover large areas.

• Impact: Spreads aggressively, outcompeting native ground covers and reducing biodiversity in shaded areas.

• Garden Alternative: Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) - A native ground cover that provides year-round color and supports local wildlife without being invasive.

Conclusion

Invasive shade-tolerant plants threaten Indiana’s ecosystems by outcompeting native species and altering local habitats. Choosing native, noninvasive alternatives helps preserve Indiana’s natural beauty, support local wildlife, and maintain ecological balance.

For more information and to connect with other gardening enthusiasts, join our Facebook group: Shade Gardening.