Palm Beach County homeowners are under attack by space invaders that root into gardens, climb up trees and suck up water and light in their bid to kill out native plant species.
But there is a cavalry of sorts on the way. On Sept. 27, homeowners may attend a free workshop in Jupiter Farms on “Space Invaders: Invasive Plants and How to Deal with Them.”
“Attendees will learn how to protect valuable native plants from harmful invasive plants that can easily take over yards, gardens, and properties,” according to a press release. “Invasive plants out-compete native trees and shrubs for light and water, wreak havoc on native bird and butterfly populations, and easily topple in hurricanes and tropical storms.”
Nine invasive plants are so harmful they have been prohibited in Palm Beach County, including the air potato, climbing ferns, Brazilian pepper, schefflera, Australian pine, kudzu, melaleuca, carrotwood and earleaf acacia.
Attendees are encouraged to bring pictures, but not plant material of plants for identification and removal recommendations. As a thank you for attending and in an effort to restore native plant canopy, attendees will receive a voucher for a free native tree or shrub from a participating nursery, while supplies last.
What: Space Invaders: Invasive Plants and How to Deal with Them
When: Saturday, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m.
Where: Jupiter Farms Community Pavilion
16655 Jupiter Farms Road, Jupiter Farms
For more information, please contact Adrienne Deutsch, UF/IFAS Extension – Palm Beach County Environmental Horticulture program assistant at (561) 233-1790.