Date: March 1, 2008
Community and Government Affairs
City of Lake Forest Park
Phone: 206-368-5440
News Release
Ivy — friend or foe?
Why would anyone be interested in removing an evergreen, fast growing groundcover that is readily available at the nurseries? It takes over with such velocity that no weeds can compete. Sounds great. That’s right; nothing can compete, including other lovely ornamentals and our very own natives that provide many important food sources for our animals.
Unfortunately, this non-native, aggressive groundcover, IVY, loves our climate immensely and since there are no natural suppressors to keep it in check, like in its native habitat, it creates havoc and vengeance wherever it takes root.
Ivy is greatly harming our urban forests and natural ecosystems. It is currently on the WA State Noxious Weed List. Ivy readily climbs up the bases of trees and over time can literally pull trees down by its heavy vines and its leaves which act as sails in a windstorm and its competition for nutrients and water; thus reducing the trees vigor. Please consider removing it from your property and making a difference in the world. Be a part of helping reduce irrigation and use of pesticides by planting native alternatives.
To find local nurseries that sell natives in this area contact: www.kingcd.org/pub_nat.htm.
Sun loving native plant alternatives to ivy include:
| Fragaria chiloensis | (Beach Strawberry) | S-PS |
| Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | (Kinnikinnick) | S |
| Polystichum munitum | (Western Sword Fern) | S-SH D-M |
| Iris tenax | (Oregon Iris) | S-PS D |
| Iris douglasiana | (Doug Iris) | S-PS D |
| Aquilegia formosa | (Red Columbine) | S-SH D-M |
| Mahonia nervosa | (Low Oregon Grape) | S-PS D |
| Rubus parviflorus | (Thimbleberry) | FS-PS M-W |
| Mimulus guttatus | (Yellow Monkey Flower) | S-SH M |
| Mimulus lewisii | (Pink Monkey Flower) | S-SH M |
| Penstemon serrulatus | (Coast Penstemon) | S D |
| Penstemon fructicosus | (Shrubby Penstemon) | S D |
| Lupinus polyphylus | (Big-leaf Lupine) | S-PS D-M |
| Aruncus dioicus | (Goatsbeard) | S-SH D-M |
| Camassia quamash | (Common Camas) | S-SH D-W |
| Allium cernuum | (Nodding Onion) | S-PS D-M |
| Xerophyllum tenax | (Bear Grass) | S-SH M-W |
| Huechera micrantha | (Small-flowered Alumroot) | S-SH D-W |
| Fritillaria affinis | (Chocolate Lily) | S-PS M in winter D in summer |
|
KEY S=Sun, PS=Part Sun, SH=Shade, D=Dry, M=Moist, W=Wet |
||
