European buckthorn is common in the Credit River Watershed
As you’ve hiked, biked, driven or walked through the Credit River Watershed, it’s likely you’ve seen one or two of the 184 invasive species growing by roadsides, in the woods, along fields and waterways and maybe even in a garden.
European buckthorn and periwinkle could have been one of those invasive plants you spotted — they’re both common in the watershed. Introduced to Canada as ornamental plants, both species out-compete native species and aggressively claim an area for themselves.
European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
Also known as common buckthorn, European buckthorn was brought to Canada by European settlers and first planted in field hedgerows and windbreaks. Spread through the droppings of birds and other animals, buckthorn forms dense patches, shades out other species and even alters nitrogen levels in soil for its own benefit.
Native to Eurasia, this shrub or small tree can host oat rust and soybean aphids, agricultural pests that can affect the quality and yield of local crops. Because of its negative impacts on agricultural lands, European buckthorn is considered a noxious weed in Ontario.
Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
In home yards and gardens, periwinkle continues to be a popular groundcover. Also native to Eurasia, periwinkle spreads through its stems and roots both above and under the ground, smothering anything in its way and preventing new plants from growing. The glossy dark green leaves of periwinkle are also toxic to grazing animals, like horses.
Reclaim Your Forest: Upcoming Workshop
Both European buckthorn and periwinkle are opportunistic plants, capable of growing in a variety of conditions, including forests where light ranges from shady to partial sun and the soil can be rich and moist. Left unchecked, both species can quickly spread over landscapes and reduce productivity and biodiversity.
Learn how to regain control of your land on October 18 at our workshop, Reclaim Your Forest: Hands-on Solutions for Invasive Plant Control, at the Warwick Conservation Centre. We’ll cover practical control and management techniques for European buckthorn, periwinkle and other invasive species. We’ll also touch on available funding opportunities. Register for this free outdoor workshop.