Invasive Plants Lurking In Wildflower Seed Mixes

The season is changing and people are getting out in their gardens, appreciating the beautiful of the colourful flowers that are springing up. Wildflower seed mixes are often a popular choice since they are easy to plant, result in diverse flowers, and promote native wild flowers. Or do they?!

Wildflower mixes contain seeds from a variety of species and often include invasive non-native species that cause problems in our local ecosystems. One study in 2003 analyzed native wildflower seeds mixes from nine companies and found that each one contained between three and 13 invasive plant species. Seeds from one company contained nothing but introduced and potentially invasive species.

Blueweed, Echium vulgare, is a non-native invasive species that has been brought to our region through wildflower seed mixes. This plant spreads prolifically by seed, producing 500 to 2000 seeds per plant. Infesting grasslands and pastures, blueweed can impact both our ecosystems and economy. Like other invasive plant species, it is extremely difficult to get rid of once established.

The Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee is conducting an inventory of blueweed this summer. It is currently known only in Nakusp, Creston/Wynndel, and Powder Creek. Blueweed can be distinguished from lupines, a common blue flower on roadsides, because blueweed does not have whorls of leaves on the stem and is covered in sharp stiff hairs. If you have seen blueweed outside the known areas, please report locations to the Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee

Added on June 22nd, 2008 - Return to Special Features