Invasive vs Exotic/Ornamental

Plants are considered exotic when they have been introduced to an area in which they are not native. These plants do not always cause any harm to the ecosystem, but they don't support the native ecosystem as well as native plants would. Sometimes these are called "ornamental" plants - they offer beauty as their primary benefit. They can be introduced in many ways (birds and other animals for example), but these days it seems it's usually humans moving them around. Many of our garden staples are exotic plants, including Hydrangeas, Lavender Camellias, Japanese Maple, and Daffodils.

Exotic plants are deemed "invasive" when they spread aggressively and overtake the native ecosystem. This could be due to outcompeting and outgrowing native plants, or killing them outright. The system is thrown out of balance, without the proper competition or predation to to keep aggressive spreading in check. Exotic plants often offer little to the other plants, insects and animals within that system. Common examples of invasive plants in the PNW are Himalayan Blackberry, English Ivy, and Tree of Heaven.

Once you start learning about invasive species, you will see them everywhere! It can feel daunting. Start small, look around your yard, neighborhood, or volunteer with your local watershed removing invasive species. Removal (preferably by hand, though at times they will need an herbicidal treatment - this is not something we can advise on), and replacement with native alternatives is key to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. See our blog post 'Native Replacements for Common Invasive Plants' for more info and a list of our suggestions.

Here is OSU's very helpful guide to Invasive species: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9035-invasive-species-what-gardeners-need-know