A Year of Hunting Invasives

As 2024 draws to a close, I am struck by how Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners’ year-long invasive species theme inspired me. Like my childhood detective heroine Nancy Drew, I searched for clues to plants and animals that don’t belong in the 757. 

First, I accused the passionflower vine I bought two years ago of being invasive since in spring and summer it migrates far beyond its trellis. But, no, this vigorous climbing plant with its showy purple flowers and little green fruit is native to Virginia, according to the Virginia Native Plant Society. This exotic-looking beauty with its big frilly flowers is a host plant for variegated fritillary and zebra longwing butterflies.

To be classified as invasive, offenders have to originate far from southeastern Virginia and disrupt our environment, economy or human health. So, the native passionflower vine is staying in my yard but with maintenance to keep it in its place.  Note to self: Next time plant passionflower in a container like I did mountain mint. 

In October, I was convinced Asian jumping worms had invaded my black cloth grow bag. I was digging deep in the bag for sweet potatoes when wiggling, electric blue creatures jumped to the surface. They scared me and then quickly burrowed into the soil. I immediately thought of Dr. Linda Blum’s talk we had at our September Norfolk Master Gardener meeting about invasive Asian jumping worms. Dr. Blum is a University of Virginia professor, Piedmont Master Gardener and worm expert. 

After chatting with Dr. Blum and Ed Olsen, VCE’s master gardener specialist, I unstressed. Most likely my lively wigglers were Common Five-lined Skinks, who are native to our region. Their young offspring flash bright blue tails as they rapidly hide.

Although these lively lizards had vacated my grow bag by the next day, I hope they remain nearby since skinks devour large quantities of mosquitoes.