Do you have a non-native species that could easily be replaced with a native species?

1. Heavenly bamboo: Nandina domestica. The berries of Nandina domestica contain cyanide and other alkaloids that produce toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN). They posed a potential danger to our beloved pets, birds, and other wildlife. Native to India, China, and Japan but invasive and toxic in the United States. It spreads by underground stems and seeds. Replacing and removing heavenly bamboo is relatively easy as the root ball stays somewhat contained. Inspect the site to see if any roots are resprouting. Cutting it to ground level does not eliminate it, it must be removed. Gardening for the Chesapeake area will give you plants with three season interest and provide food for pollinators and wildlife. It can be replaced with: Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), Inkberry (Ilex glabra), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), red chockecherry (Aronia arbutifolia), yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), possumhaw viburnum (Viburnum nudum).
2. Lesser celandine: Ficaria verna. It emerges earlier than most native plants in the spring, suppressing reproduction of smaller spring ephemerals. It is poisonous if ingested raw. Remove the plants before they produce flowers or before the plants set seeds. It can be replaced with: Native green and gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), for dry areas and marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) in moister areas of your garden.
3. Star of Bethlehem: Ornithogalum umbelatum. A native of Eurasia and a very aggressive colonizer, it forms a dense clump of bulbs. It is toxic to humans and animals if eaten. The bulb has no odor. Remove each bulb in the spring or as soon as it flowers to ensure identification. Do not put in municipal yard waste for composting. Place in garbage or let it dry. It can be replaced with: Rue anemonie (Thalictrum thalictroides), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica, and liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis), are all good choices.

These are a few non-native invasive species in our gardens, public rights of way, and parks. Removing them from our gardens stops the spread of these non-native species. Replacing non-native with native species contributes to a better habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

The University of Maryland Extension has information on native plants in our region https://extension.umd.edu/resources/#!/category/3/subcategory/866, as well as invasive plants to be aware of https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/invasive-species/invasive-herbaceous-plants/