Why Maryland Landscapes are Under Siege
Tired of the invasive species in Maryland ruining your backyard? Discover how to stop them with innovative, eco-friendly tactics that work.
Suppose you’ve ever tried to pull English ivy off a brick house or watched Japanese Stiltgrass creep through your garden. In that case, you already know that with our hospitable climate, invasive species in Maryland are no joke. They’re tricky, fast-growing, and a real headache for anyone trying to create a healthy, sustainable landscape.
One of my clients once spent an entire Saturday pulling mile-a-minute vine from a backyard in Takoma Park. I stopped by to check a measurement while they were working. By Monday, when I came back to meet with them, the backyard looked like they barely did anything. That’s when they realized, if you’re going to fight invasives, you need a realistic plan and not just a strong back.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY: INVASIVE SPECIES TO WATCH FOR
The Worst Invasive Species in Maryland
Some of the most challenging plants in our region are surprisingly common. Here’s a lineup of the usual suspects:
- English Ivy (Hedera helix) – Looks charming and old-world climbing up that tree, but it eventually chokes the life out of a tree and grows over and through shrubs. Driving around the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) in the wintertime, you can see the vine growing on defoliated trees in telltale evergreen clumps.
- Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) – This monster tree spreads from its roots and winged seeds. It will quickly take over bare, disturbed soil. I saw it spread across a burned-out city block in Baltimore in less than three years.
- Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) – I specified hundreds of these ornamental pears in the Dallas/Fort Worth area when I first graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington. I worked for a design/build landscape firm that handled numerous projects for local builders and developers. They all wanted Cedar Elms, Chinese Pistachio, and ‘Bradford’ Pears because these trees proliferated, were inexpensive, and looked good. With their pretty, white blooms in spring, they look beautiful, but they spread aggressively, and their offspring have blooms that smell not-so-pretty.
- Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) – The name is a lie. It smells awful and grows like a weed on steroids. Not only is it an invasive species in Maryland, it’s a host and favorite of the infamous Spotted Lanternfly that’s invading the DMV in full force.
- Mile-a-Minute Weed (Persicaria perfoliata) – It really can grow six inches a day. The name says it all. It can be a relentless grower.
- Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) and Golden Groove Bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata) – This aggressive grower can take over acreage and create a dense barrier that no one can penetrate. Nothing can grow in the darkness that the canopy and canes. Its rhizomes can travel far away from the mother plant and colonize a new area.
How to Spot Them Early
The key to controlling invasive species in Maryland is catching them early. Get familiar with leaf shapes, growth habits, and seasonal patterns. For example, Stiltgrass (another local favorite) germinates in early spring—right when most homeowners are still deciding if it’s too cold to go outside.
OBSERVATION FIRST: YOUR MOST POWERFUL TOOL
There are Many Invasive Species in Maryland: Take a Yard Inventory
Before you grab your shovel or herbicide, take an inventory of what’s growing on your property. Look at fence lines, shady corners, around trees, and even under your deck. Invasive species in Maryland often start in the least visible spots. Use an app like iNaturalist or consult the Maryland Extension’s plant ID guides. It’s a good excuse to get outside with your coffee in hand and get to know your property more intimately.
Catch It Before It Spreads
Early intervention is way easier than letting things get established and out of hand. One of my clients ignored a patch of Tree-of-Heaven saplings behind their garage for two years. Now we’re bringing in goats to clear it out all over their nine-acre property. If they had just cut the grass behind their garage early on, we could’ve saved a lot of time, money, and goat rental fees. The goats got the job done with the Tree-of-Heaven and other weeds on their property.
GET PHYSICAL: MANUAL AND MECHANICAL WEED CONTROL
Smart Pulling Techniques
Hand-pulling sounds like old-school grunt work, but it is incredibly effective when done correctly. The trick is timing. Pull before the plant flowers or goes to seed, ideally after a rain when the soil’s soft. For woody vines like English ivy, cut them at the base and let the upper parts die off naturally. I avoid pulling them off your trees because it can damage the bark. Additionally, the dust created when you pull the vine off is irritating to breathe.
Mow, Smother, or Solarize
Some invasive species in Maryland respond well to repeated mowing. Just be sure to bag the clippings or mow before they set seed. Smothering with cardboard and mulch works wonders for groundcovers. For stubborn patches, solarization (covering soil with clear plastic during hot months) bakes the roots and seeds.
I had a DIY client who used this technique on a bamboo-infested corner lot in DC. After two sweaty summers and a lot of patience, we finally beat it back enough to plant a native shade garden. If you have a larger area, this method will not be very effective.
WHEN TO USE HERBICIDES—AND HOW TO BE SMART ABOUT IT
Spot-Treat Only
I’m not anti-herbicide, but I strongly believe in using them sparingly. Broad-spectrum herbicides sprayed carelessly can do more harm than good. Use a sponge applicator or a targeted sprayer to hit just the invasive plant. And always read the label, especially if you’re near water or sensitive native plants.
Avoid Rookie Mistakes
Never spray on a windy day. Don’t spray when there’s rain in the forecast. Don’t mix chemicals without following the manufacturer’s directions. And don’t let your dog or kids back into the area right away. You’d be surprised how many people forget that last one.
REPLACE THE INVADERS: RESTORATION WITH NATIVE PLANTS
Never Leave Bare Ground
Once you remove an invasive, replace it quickly with an aggressive-growing native, or a new invader will move in. Bare soil is an open invitation.
Top Native Replacements
Here are a few Maryland-native plants I love to use after clearing out invasives:
- Groundcovers: Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort), Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)
- Shrubs: Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire), Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet)
- Trees: Quercus alba (White Oak), Amelanchier canadensis (Serviceberry)
These plants hold their own, support pollinators, and won’t end up on the invasive list in ten years.
PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM RETURNING
Mulch With Purpose
A well-mulched bed doesn’t just look neat; it blocks light from invasive seedlings and keeps the soil moist for your natives. Go one inch deep around groundcovers and perennials, and two inches around trees and shrubs. Be sure not to pile it up around tree trunks like a mulch volcano.
Be Choosy About Plants
I’ve seen plenty of invasives sold at big box stores with cheerful little tags. Just because it’s for sale doesn’t mean you should plant it at your home. Quickly Google search before you buy, and support native plant nurseries when you can. You’ll get healthier plants and better advice than at a national, big-box store.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE: CALL IN THE TROOPS
Hire a Pro When Needed
So, vegetation has taken over your yard, and you’re feeling overwhelmed; it’s okay to call in help. A licensed landscape architect can create a phased plan that fits your budget and energy level—a plan in which you can tackle improving your landscape in manageable, bite-sized pieces.
Join Local Efforts
There are some great local groups in Maryland working on invasive removal and habitat restoration. Take a look at these:
- Maryland Invasive Species Council
- Weed Warrior programs
- Maryland Native Plant Society
CONCLUSION:TAKE BACK YOUR YARD, ONE PLANNED STEP AT A TIME
You’re not going to solve all of your invasive species problem in one weekend. But with some innovative strategies, a bit of grit, and a focus on native plants, you can win the long game.
Stopping invasive species in Maryland doesn’t have to feel impossible. It just takes some strategy, a few good tools, and maybe a cold drink at the end of the day.
