There is an invasion taking place on the Beachwood property. It is on the ground, in trees, on structures and even in pretty pots outside. The invaders have been imported, sold, purchased, and planted for many years. These invaders are non-native invasive plants, and they are everywhere. Not all imported plants are naughty. Some interact nicely with other plants and stay in their own area. Invasives, however, are bullies. Left untended, non-native invasive plants can displace native species by out-growing, out-competing and eventually crowding out native species. Simply put, the invasive species shade out and smother Florida friendly plants. With the lack of sunlight, our trees, shrubs and Saw Palmettos will eventually die. Invasive plant infestations reduce natural biodiversity. Native animals, reptiles and birds, who rarely forage on non-native plants, may leave the area or die out. In addition, many non-native invasive plants have extensive, but very shallow root systems, which may promote soil erosion. From the tops of our beautiful Live Oaks to the soil beneath, non-native invasive plants can and will wreak havoc on our Beachwood property.
To combat Beachwood’s growing invasive plant population, a group of property owners is involved in a volunteer effort to remove these plants from the property. The group, calling themselves the Di-Vine Warriors, is meeting weekly during our cooler weather months. The group has identified four types of invasive plants located in twenty-three locations throughout the Beachwood property. These locations have been noted on a database file that will be used as a guide and planning tool to determine where the volunteers will gather to remove plants. The Di-Vine Warriors had their first outing on December 13, and it was a success. In less than three hours of work, twelve large 45-gallon bags of English Ivy (Hedera helix) and asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) were removed from the far south end of the Beachwood property. In cases where the volunteers are unable to effectively remove invasive plants from an area, the landscape contractors serving Beachwood may be called in to assist.
What can Beachwood owners do to help? Avoid purchasing and or planting invasive plants such as Pothos, Arrowhead Vine, English Ivy or Asparagus Fern. Unfortunately, lots of stores sell them. Invasive plants are cheap to propagate, and they rarely die. Retailers give them cute names, place them in attractive pots and count the profits. Consumers need to know what they are buying and placing outside. That adorable plant may turn into someone else’s nightmare. Make native plants and Florida friendly plants your first choice and consult with our CAM, Andrea Grossman, on any plant selection questions. If you are interested in joining the Di-Vine Warriors contact Cheryl Quam – cpquam@hotmail.com.
