ROCKPORT GARDEN CLUB

"....because it is we who decide what plants will grow in our gardens,
the responsibility for our nation's biodiversity lies largely with us."

Douglas Tallamy, author of
'Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants'

Our team is ready to help any citizen of Rockport identify and eliminate invasive plants from their land. In 2017 we worked with about 50 different families.

Give us a call so that we can help you to get started.

Chairs:  

• Laura Hallowell 978-546-2405
• Lisa Simms 978-309-8197

Our approach will depend on your situation and preferences. Our primary focus has been to control Japanese Knotweed (often called "bamboo"), Oriental bittersweet, Garlic mustard, Bindweed, and Catchweed bedstraw. Lately we have found many new infestations of Black swallow-wort in town, a particularly aggressive plant.

Sometimes smothering, digging, cutting and careful disposal in the town's trash dumpsters is enough to control an infestation over time. Often we recommend stem painting, stem filling or glove wiping with the wetland-approved version of Roundup. While we would never recommend using this product anywhere near food, we are following the procedures crafted by Mass Audubon and New England Wildflower society to control invasive plants.

When work is within the 100-foot wetland buffer zone, we can often add you to an existing permit with the Rockport Conservation Commission.

Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to the nature of Massachusetts. 

 All invasive plants were first introduced to our area by humans as landscape specimens or, in some cases, accidentally. Because they did not evolve in our region, the natural mechanisms that normally control these species in their home ranges don't exist. As a result, these non-native plants can out-compete, displace, and kill our native species.  

More than 2,200 plants have been documented in Massachusetts, and some 725 of them are non-natives that are considered naturalized (established). Of those, 69 plant species have been scientifically categorized by the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG) as "Invasive," "Likely Invasive," or "Potentially Invasive."  

These invasive species have been banned for importation, propagation, and sale in Massachusetts by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources.  (Source: MA Audubon)

Click on the link below to learn about some common invasive plants in Rockport and how to manage them.

How can I Get Rid of It?

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) was brought from eastern Asia as a garden plant. This perennial herb grows up to 10 feet tall, with heart-shaped leaves and white flowers. 

It invades a wide variety of habitats and forms dense stands that crowd out other plants.   (Source: MA Audobon)

Click on the link below to learn about Treatment Options.