Invasive plants are one of the biggest (and fastest-growing) threats to healthy ecosystems in Ontario and across Canada. That’s why Ritchie’s has an Invasive Plant Species Program, starting with the most important first step: awareness.
What is an invasive plant?
An invasive plant is a non-native plant (often introduced from another continent) that spreads aggressively because it has few natural predators, like insects and diseases, that would normally keep it in check.
Once established, invasive plants can:
-
outcompete native plants for light, water, and space
-
reduce biodiversity
-
change soil and habitat conditions
-
provide little to no value as food for local wildlife (many species don’t recognize them)
Why an invasive plant species program?
Invasive plant species are a growing threat to Canada’s ecosystems, and the ornamental plant trade is one of the largest pathways for the introduction and spread of non-native invasive plants in Canada.
As a garden centre, we’re in a unique position to help:
-
educate customers and staff
-
reduce the spread of invasive plants into natural areas
-
promote better alternatives that still give you a beautiful landscape
Ritchie’s goal (Phase 1 of 4)
We’re taking a step-by-step approach so we can do this properly and sustainably:
-
Phase 1: Awareness
-
Phase 2: Promote alternatives
-
Phase 3: Reduce invasive species sales
-
Phase 4: Eliminate invasive species sales
What is Ritchie’s doing right now?
Ritchie’s is tagging plants that have been identified by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario as invasive priorities for our region, and we’re supporting the program with in-store signage and customer education.
You’ll start seeing:
-
Garden centre signage explaining why the plant is tagged
-
Invasive plant tags on identified species
-
Staff support to help you choose the best option for your yard
Ritchie’s resources
We’re building this program using reputable Canadian and Ontario-based guidance:
-
About the invasive plants we are tagging:
Auditor General of Ontario (see pages 23–24)
(QR code available on poster) -
Policies, tools, and regulations we want to align with:
Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation
https://ccipr.ca/
(QR code available on poster) -
Action guide to prevent the spread of invasive species:
National Voluntary Code of Conduct for the Ornamental Horticulture Industry (canadainvasives.ca)
https://canadainvasives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019-01-16_CCIS_Code_of_Conduct_FINAL.pdf
(QR code available on poster)
FAQs
Q: If it’s invasive, why do you sell it?
A: The short answer is: it’s complicated. For decades, many gardeners preferred “exotic” plants for a more controlled, ornamental look, and garden centres (including us) carried what people asked for.
Until these plants are regulated, garden centres have an important opportunity to educate staff and the public on best practices and better options.
As recommended by the Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation, our first step is a clear and positive one: identify problem plant material. Our long-term goal is to raise awareness, promote alternatives, reduce invasive plant sales, and ultimately eliminate them.
Q: This is an invasive species, but it’s not tagged!
A: Right now, we are only tagging the species identified by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario as urgent priorities.
We’re also reviewing other plants based on their Ecological Rank in Ontario, and will continue expanding our internal knowledge as we work toward becoming a garden centre that sells no invasive species.
Also, real talk, plant volume is huge. With plant material arriving weekly, tagging everything is a major undertaking. We may miss some, or we may not have reached it yet. We appreciate your patience (and your help pointing things out).
Q: I have a burning bush hedge and one died. Can I buy one to fill the gap?
A: Yes. If you already have an established hedge, you still have the option to purchase the same plant to fill that space. That said, we’re also happy to suggest beautiful alternatives if you’d like to start transitioning over time.
Q: Creeping Jenny is in the annual section. How can it be invasive if it’s an annual?
A: Some plants sold as “annuals” can survive Ontario winters. Creeping Jenny is one of them.
The intention is often container use for summer, but the issue happens when people dispose of planters into woodland edges assuming everything will compost. If the plant survives winter, it can spread aggressively and outcompete native species.
Best practice: If using creeping Jenny (or similar trailers), dispose of end-of-season material properly, ideally in black garbage bags, not compost or dumped in natural areas.
Q: I love a plant you’ve tagged as invasive. It’s never been a problem in my garden.
A: Many invasive plants do look contained in a garden, which makes the risk hard to see. The problem is how they spread outside the yard. Birds and wildlife can carry berries and seeds into forests and natural areas. Once established there, invasive plants can spread quickly and outcompete native plants.
Invasive species list: “TAGGED”
(Encouraged not to plant due to ecological impact in our region)
-
Amur maple (Acer ginnala)
-
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
-
English ivy (Hedera helix)
-
Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
-
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
-
Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
-
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
-
Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis)
-
Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
-
Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
-
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
-
White mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruiting only
-
Winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus)
-
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
-
European privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
-
Purple willow (Salix purpurea)
-
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
“Not tagged (but…)” watch list
These are plants that may appear on other invasive lists or have risk potential based on Ontario ecological/management rank, but are not currently part of ourAuditor General priority tagging list.
Examples include: alsike clover seed, Chinese wisteria, common lilac, European cranberry viburnum, ajuga (bugleweed), creeping thyme, orange daylily, peppermint, reed canarygrass, Siberian peashrub, water hyacinth, white willow, and more.
(We’ll continue reviewing these as our program evolves.)
The takeaway
This program isn’t about shaming what people planted in the past—it’s about helping all of us make better choices going forward. A healthier yard can also mean a healthier forest. And small changes, like choosing a non-invasive alternative, add up fast when a whole community participates.
See the tags in-store
Look for Ritchie’s invasive plant tags and garden centre signage as you shop. If you have questions, ask our team, we’ll help you understand what you’re looking at and suggest alternatives when you’re ready.
Leave a comment