Mexican petunia, Air potato, and Australian pine. They are all non-native invasive plants in our area, and I have at least two in my yard. According to the Non-native Invasive Plants guide produced by Hillsborough County Parks, Southwest Florida Water Management, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and Pinellas County Environmental Fund a non-native plant is one from somewhere other than Florida. To be considered invasive it is known to spread aggressively into natural areas. While all non-native plants are not invasive, they become invasive "when they outgrow and replace native plants in natural plant communities".

I added the mexican petunia to my yard about 3 years ago. I saw them at the big box store and thought they were attractive with their purple and pink blooms. The good thing is they are very hardy, grow in shade or sun, and drought is not an issue. The problem is they self-seed and are hard to control from spreading everywhere.

The air potato was already here when we purchased the property and luckily there is not much of it. I cut it down as soon as I see it. We don't have the Australian pine but I wondered why it was classified as invasive until I read its growth habits. This tree grows 5 to 10 feet per year and creates stands that displace native plants and wildlife. There is also a suckering form of this tree that reproduces from widely spreading roots.

Of the 125 plants identified as pest plants, the 20 noted in the booklet are considered particularly troublesome. I got my copy of the guide from the Pinellas County Extension Service. Just to make your life a little easier, here's a link to the pdf version. All you have to do is download it to your computer!

I would also recommend contacting your local Native Plant Society chapter for more information about planting natives. They will guide you on what to plant and where to purchase the right plants for your yard. These groups also hold native plant sales throughout the year usually noted on their specific website. (If you live in Pinellas, our chapter is holding their plant sale on October 6 at Brooker Creek Preserve.)For more information about the chapter in your area, visit the Florida Native Plant Society website. Lesson learned for me - most of the plants I purchased at the big box have died while all the natives are flourishing. Except for those dang mexican petunias! Happy Florida Gardening and stay aware of the non-native invasives around you.