Although I have limited expertise in this area, I have been working recently with a Habit Heroes group in my hometown of Herndon, VA.  I was shocked at my naivety to all of the species of plants that are widely available, and that I have purchased through big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes that ultimately cause great detriment to our environment.

One only needs a bit of exposure on how to identify invasive species, and get a basic understanding of how they drastically effect our own immediate environment to see how much damage these plants that are non-native cause.  Once I knew just a little bit about them, I was shocked to take note that my own home was surrounded by them, and now had a better understanding of why the beautiful, mature trees seem to be dying off slowly--because they are--certainly as contributed to at least 4 non-native species that I now know exist and thrive on my property. 

Now that I know how to identify some of them:  such as english ivy, multi-flora rose, japanese honeysuckle, and bush honeysuckle not only can I identify them in my immediate surroundings, but I see damage along most roadways that I travel and in parks that I wander upon.

Please consider stricter controls on how widely availble these plants are, and consider education efforts to improve understanding of what can be equally pleasing and effective for their needs without significantly affecting our native enviorment.

Sincerely,

Barbara Welsh