~invasives (and my LEED landscape plan)

This morning I've been taking a look at the Invasive Plant Species of South Carolina list - in preparation for the development of my LEED landscape plan (which I started thinking about months ago, but got distracted by other things).  According to LEED, the 'intent' of the landscape plan (SS 2:  Landscaping) is to 'Design landscape features to avoid invasive species and minimize demand for water and synthetic chemicals.'

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The prerequisite for this states:  '2.1  No Invasives Plants.  Introduce no invasive plant species into the landscape.'

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First thing to notice is that this doesn't mean that non-native plants can't be introduced into the landscape (I think if we were all limited to truly native plants, that would be next to impossible...right?).  The second thing, that I need clarification on at some point, is the use of the word 'introduce'.  I have invasives in my garden - they were there when I bought the place, and many of them are, to put it simply, a part of the place.  So right now I'm going on the premise that I can't introduce any NEW invasives into the garden - but with respect to the ones that are present in the garden as I type this, well - I suppose their fate is up to me.

(Now, I fully realize that the LEED certifier might look at my plan and disagree with my interpretation - but I'll wait for that to happen, if indeed it even does).

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So what's invasive in my garden?

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You'll have to fight me to take down the chinese tallow trees (Triadica sebifera) on the side fence row.  It's a non-native invasive (from China) - and I've mentioned it often in these pages (...when it's filled with blackbirds, as a virtual blackbird buffet, and as a resting place for the cedar waxwings - oh, and there's those well known pieces of popcorn, and the fall color) - in other words, these trees are a part of the place.

The chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) can go.  I know, I know - when it blooms in the springtime, I forgive it completely for the other eleven and a half months of pure headache.  It has taken over the shady areas underneath my current dwelling, I fight to keep it out of the tea olive and texas mountain laurel - it stretches aggressively into any shady place it can find, putting down roots, taking up residence.  It has won - it has been winning for years - and there is a chance that later today I will take my little battery-powered chain saw and at least cut the main stalk at it's base.  These are not easy things for me to do - it will feel like a betrayal - but I know that I need to do this.  And the slippery slope of plant addiction:  I recently read where someone had their wisteria in a large pot - placed in a central, sunny spot in the garden (it seems to be a bit more manageable in full sun) - trellised, of course.  I think it's worth a try.  (I could regret this.  I most likely will regret this - but I have few regrets, so it shouldn't be a terrible burden to bear.).

Golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea).  I won't eradicate it from my garden.  It's in the back left corner - and each spring when it's canes start coming up, I just snap them off when they're small and flexible.  The stands backs up to a tidal creek - so it won't spread in that direction.  I think I can manage it, and I'm willing to put the effort into it.

Yes, there are nandinas (Nandina domestica).  Just a few, but I have noticed them popping up in other locations over the past few years.  I'm not a huge fan of them, but these are sentimental members of my garden:  they are passalong plants from my Mother's Virginia garden.  I'll probably let them go, but I'm not sure yet.

So - then there's chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).  I'll try and get rid of the honeysuckle (but secretly, and somewhat happily, I know that I won't succeed).  The same probably goes for the chinese privet, that are really only in a few areas (along the fence row) - and have you ever seen the beautiful blue berries in the fall? 

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(I realize that I'm not thinking clearly here - or even scientifically, truth-be-told.  I am a sentimental gardener.  I know that my ability to manage these plants in my single acre along the Atlantic coast is being approached naively - for example, the berries of the privet travel - they move, and it's silly to think that they only impact my garden.  I do know this.  I'm trying to come to grips with it, develop my own personal invasive species policy - and with time, I imagine that I will do the right thing.  But I do need to think a bit more about this first.).

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Comments

[The County Clerk]

Interesting quandary. I think "Introduce" is a good word to hang upon. Let us hope that the expectation is not to "Roundup" the whole property and start over... 'cause even THAT wouldn't work.

Love the bamboo.

[The County Clerk]

Also... if those LEED people begin to fry your nerves, I can certify you as... SOMETHING.

I've married people before. I imagine I can pronounce your house something. Hell, I can even get a nice (very nice) certificate made... calligraphy and everything. In fact, I'm thinking of certifying my own place.

I just need to come up with a good acronym.

[Les]

I am trying to ignore yet another reference to one of my favorite plants, nandina, as being invasive. I'll just tell myself that they are vigorous.