NORTH SHORE NEWS HOME, People enjoy the appearance of ivy because of its complete green foliage cover, and this accounts for its popularity, but it is this trait that makes it such an aggressive-weed. Exotic species often displace native plan - Mark Cunnington Contributing Writer AS a gardener, you may be inadyertently con- tributing to one of the major threats to biodiversi- ~ ty, as identified in the World Resources Institute’s 1992 Global Biodiversity Strategy — the introduction . of eeeressive exotic species into vulnerable ecosys- tems. . -*’*¥You now have the ability to obtain plants from anywhere in - the world, conveniently supplied by your local nursery, and plant them in your garden. Anda quick look at any scientific account - of the plant species growing wild in British Columbia sadly con- firms that a large and growing proportion of them are not native to B.C. It is interesting that new exotic gasden plants are thoroughly tested for compatibility to local climates before being offered to the public, yet studies are not performed te determine whether these-species are aggressive in local ecosystems. As has always been the case, aggressive exotic species arc not labelled as pests ‘undif they have demonstrated their aggressive tendencies by nat- uralizing in local ecosystems. Unfortunately, by this time it ts too late to. control them. _oocThe examples are almost endless. In our area, purple looses- = trife (Lythrum salicaria) and Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparins) are farnous for their ability to completely overtake and transform certain ecosystems. 1: There are, in fact, many other species conimonly grown in the *. garden’ which in the long run may present similar threats to native biodiversity. They are not widely considered as being pests because: their initial spread i is relatively slow, but as is the case avith all population explosions, growth is exponential. - Perhaps the worst examples on the North Shore are English . (Hedera helix), giant knotweed (Polygonum sachalinense), and English, holly (ex aquifolium). ‘Ivy.in particular is’ persistent, almost impossible to remove without the aid of herbicides, and worst of all itis very aggres- sive. People enjoy the appearance o“ ivy because of its complete green foliage cover, and this accounts for its popularity, but it is this trait that makes it such an aggressive weed. “Think about it this way: the next time you sce a patch of in ivy choking a tree or smothering the gi ground in a forest, ask yourself what native species would be growing there otherwise. -One need. only: look to Stanley Park to see ‘the devastating effects of ivy. In places it has completely, overgrown every other, plant, and I would estimate, that at least one half of Stanley Park - is infested vith this weed. Tt is onty a matter of time before i it COVENTRY & CLERMONT. Interior Panel Doors. ° 26°X6E'X1 3/8" primed door Great price at only... * 2'6°X6'8"X1 3/8” primed door * Includes drilling for your door knob & ° moritising for the hinges to match your existing door : "6"X6'8"Xi 3/8" primed door _ © Installation package includes precut header, jamb and stops * Includes frame ‘ical once again, because of its pub- COLONIST, CARMELLE, CLASSIQUE, 622" “Machined $4 322 it spreads all ake coast. [thas begun moving t Sound Squamish. Although ivy primarily by the concern is 1 dispersal by bi occurs. Giant knot recent iNtFGuucue from Japan which is exploding in abundance around the North Shore, displacing our native salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis). Wt is a distinctive looking perennial which can be identified by its large, oval shaped leaves which appear almost tropical. It too is spreading along the coast. There is a major outbreak at Britannia Beach. This species represents a serious threat to nutrient-rich ecosystems and on some sites it has combined with ivy to effect a complete exclusion of native species. English holly is yet another aggressive species from Europe which is popular with gardeners because of its histor- and cultural roots. Unfortunately, .its seeds are readily transported to forested areas by birds and in certain forests on the North Shore it is completely taking over. And TO sit down with this book is to go ona journey to a collection of beautiful gardens from around the lic appeal, it is not viewed as being a problematic weed. Other | exotic - aggressive species in our area include periwinkle (Vinca minor), European . mountain — ash (Sordus aucuparia) — none of the mountain ashes growing in the Vancouver area are native —Himalayan: blackberry (Rubus discolor) and butterfly bush. (Budileja davidii), to name only a few. St is sad that all of these species, except for purple loosestrife, are still regulariy timeline which shows the development of gardening in North America. The Divided g YOUR LOOKING FOR: N° Wide variety of crown, casing & § baseboards & ° Largest selection of cabinet ply- woods in 1/8, 1/4, 12 & V4 inch thickness. - LAMINATE FLOORING Pre-finished, B Gracie, ash-white B colour $1.39 ® 99* "Door only stock the 11.364 paid , PREHUNG | [eae rs ye 6"X6'8°X1 3/8" primad white hardboard. door | Prohung * ¢ Prehung in a 2"X4" rabbeted: primed jamb BR The World of Garden Design, by Susan Dooley, Chronicle Books, 318 pages, $62 world. It begins with a opening chapter establishes the international flavour of the . book, and sets the tone of discovery. into tours of countries and | egions, cach section begins with a discussion - of the elenients of that location's garden stvle. This is followed by examples and a look at spe- 10 years with Windsor Plywood § -You can always find Kevin 4 who will answer any ques- B tions about installation of 8 doors, suggest solutions and order i in what youn ied! Celebrations .... Food Home & Garden . Table Hopping .. GARGEN AND LIFESTYLE . NEWS photo Terry Peters " sold in local nurseries. So when purchasing a new plant to add to your garden, ask yourself whether it has been demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that the species in question does not naturalize in our local climate. If you cannot answer, “yes” to this, then consider buying a different, | less a aggressive or native species. - There are hundreds of interesting native plants to choose from, and in collecting them you may even learn about our local nat- ural and aboriginal heritage. cific sites, and then goes on to show how these -. ere can be brought i into your own. “garden Trees, ‘hedges, flowers; herbs “ :sand much more are shown in. .,}- their home country environ- - Ment,” presented as examples: but also as inspiration. ‘The ‘abundance _of photographs is. ‘a treat to study but there are‘: =much’ more ‘than pretty pic-. tures” :here. © The:. various _tegions are.all written up in’, “detail, outlining their. history ‘and how their own unique . - style developed. ° us . Page after page of. gorgeous photos offer ideas to gardeners from every cli-, =}: “mate. Examples of how designers have incor-* “ porated these various ‘styles into. their..own local settings will encourage readers to look a at their gardens i ina new light. ce Terry Poters : CANADA'S FINISHING STORE? :309 Kennard AY : © North Vancouver. . 985-1341 - (at the 3rd Street & Low Level Road intersection) a “SUNDECK COATING | Fonnulated fer weatherproofing decks, porches or any water out and afows water vapour to escape, greatly lessens the danger of DIS- : tering, Soe oe pat en wood and mason. For the Bigger jobs, we also . waik-on surface. Holds