The plants listed below are weedy; they will establish and spread excessively on their own. Some are typical
of roadsides and others are unwanted trespassers in lawns or formal gardens. Still others are intentionally
planted and often become undesirably dominant in small gardens. None of the plant species below are native
to Connecticut; all have been introduced from elsewhere and naturalized in the State. All have been reported
to be used by butterflies in Connecticut or elsewhere.
These plants may be encouraged in disturbed, open areas or in non-formal gardens. They also may be left to
flourish in waste places outlying a more formal garden.
Never encourage these naturalized species in or around natural areas because even though they are
"naturalized" (capable of establishing, reproducing, and spreading on their own) in Connecticut, they are not
actually native to the State. Non-native, naturalized species often are good competitors for growing space, but
they do not necessarily interact the same way native plants do in an ecosystem and they may cause harm.
Bee-balm, Oswego Tea
Bidens spp. (some are native)
Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima aka R. serotina
Blanketflower (= Gaillardia )
Trifolium spp. (some Clovers are native)
Do NOT plant or encourage the invasive M. scorpioides Forget-me-not
Queen Anne's Lace
Rudbeckia fulgida var. speciosa
Do NOT plant or encourage the invasive Canada Thistle (Cirsium canadensis)