Invasive Shade-Tolerant Garden Plants in Ohio

Ohio's rich woodlands, wetlands, and shaded gardens are at risk from invasive plant species that thrive in low-light environments. These invasive plants can spread rapidly, outcompeting native species and disrupting local ecosystems. Understanding these plants and choosing native alternatives is crucial for preserving Ohio’s natural beauty and biodiversity.

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

List of Invasive Shade-Tolerant Garden Plants in Ohio

1. Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

• Description: A vigorous, semi-evergreen vine with fragrant white to yellow flowers and dark green leaves, commonly planted for ornamental purposes.

• Impact: Japanese Honeysuckle forms dense mats that smother native plants, reducing biodiversity in shaded and woodland areas.

• Garden Alternative: Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) - A native vine with tubular red flowers that attract hummingbirds and thrive in shaded environments.

2. Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

• Description: A biennial herb with heart-shaped leaves and small white flowers that emit a garlic-like odor when crushed.

• Impact: Garlic Mustard spreads rapidly in shaded woodlands, outcompeting native plants and reducing biodiversity.

• Garden Alternative: Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) - A native ground cover with heart-shaped leaves that thrives in shaded environments and offers similar coverage without being invasive.

3. Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

• Description: A robust perennial with large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of small white flowers. It spreads aggressively, particularly in riparian areas.

• Impact: Japanese Knotweed forms dense stands that outcompete native vegetation, reducing biodiversity and altering habitat conditions in shaded areas.

• Garden Alternative: Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) - A native perennial that supports pollinators and thrives in similar conditions without becoming invasive.

4. Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartic)

• Description: A deciduous shrub or small tree with dark green leaves and small black berries. It was initially introduced as a hedge plant but has since become invasive.

• Impact: Common Buckthorn invades woodlands and shaded areas, forming dense thickets that prevent native plants from growing.

• Garden Alternative: American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) - A native shrub that provides valuable habitat and food for wildlife, thriving in shaded environments.

5. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

• Description: An evergreen vine with dark green, lobed leaves, commonly used as ground cover or for climbing structures.

• Impact: English Ivy spreads aggressively, smothering native plants and trees, reducing biodiversity, and damaging ecosystems.

• Garden Alternative: Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) - A native vine that provides similar coverage with vibrant fall color, supporting local wildlife without overwhelming native plants.

6. Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

• Description: A thorny shrub with clusters of small white flowers and bright red rose hips, often used as a living fence.

• Impact: Multiflora Rose forms dense thickets in shaded areas, outcompeting native plants and reducing habitat quality for wildlife.

• Garden Alternative: Pasture Rose (Rosa carolina) - A native rose with fragrant pink flowers that supports pollinators and thrives in similar conditions.

7. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

• Description: A low-growing evergreen ground cover with glossy leaves and blue or purple flowers, commonly used in shaded gardens.

• Impact: Periwinkle’s aggressive growth can overshadow and outcompete native ground covers, leading to reduced biodiversity in shaded areas.

• Garden Alternative: Green-and-Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) - A native ground cover with golden-yellow flowers that supports local wildlife and thrives in shaded conditions.

8. Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)

• Description: A low-growing perennial with shiny, heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers, often found in moist, shaded areas.

• Impact: Lesser Celandine 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.

9. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

• Description: A fast-growing deciduous tree with large, pinnate leaves and small greenish flowers. It’s often planted for its rapid growth and shade tolerance.

• Impact: Tree of Heaven spreads aggressively, forming dense stands in shaded areas that outcompete native species and alter ecosystems.

• Garden Alternative: Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) - A native tree with pink flowers in spring and heart-shaped leaves, providing shade and supporting local wildlife.

Conclusion

Invasive shade-tolerant plants can significantly impact Ohio’s ecosystems by outcompeting native species and altering local habitats. By selecting native, non-invasive alternatives, gardeners can help maintain ecological balance, support local wildlife, and preserve the natural beauty of Ohio’s landscapes.

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