Plant Wise

is a national program that helps gardeners, landscapers, and the horticulture industry make informed planting decisions that help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants.

One of the ways invasive species spread is through gardening and landscaping activities. Invasive plants can escape into natural areas, while insects and other invasive organisms can hitchhike on nursery stock, soil, mulch, and compost.

**How To Be Plant Wise**

Choose native or non-invasive plants that are well suited to your garden conditions.
Inspect plants, soil, mulch, and compost for invasive "hitchhikers" such as insects, worms, and egg masses before bringing them home.
Purchase locally grown plants and properly labelled seed mixes whenever possible.

**How To Be Plant Wise**

Dispose of invasive plants, seeds, and yard waste responsibly (bag and landfill where appropriate).
Learn species-appropriate methods for removing and disposing of invasive plants from your property.
Support local nurseries and gardening organizations that promote native and non-invasive plants.

Grow Me Instead Guide for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia

Gardens and yards are extensions of our local ecosystems and they represent incredible opportunities to help restore an area’s biodiversity.

What we plant in them has an impact on the surrounding natural areas; in fact, many of today’s most damaging invasive plants were first brought to North America for ornamental purposes. Grow Me Instead is a component of the Plant Wise program that focuses on increasing awareness about invasive horticultural plants and providing native alternatives.

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