Author: Harpswell Invasive Plant Partnership

Those of us who live and vacation in Harpswell agree we are fortunate to be in such a beautiful place: the peaceful views, the hiking trails, the water access, the outdoor fun. But there are barriers to maintaining that beauty.

Oh, purple loosestrife, why must you be so beautiful? With your strong, square-stemmed, upright posture peeking above the plants around you, wearing your cheerful, purple-flowered covering, is it because you’re beautiful that you feel you can be rude and crowd out your neighbors?

Spring is almost upon us and leaves are popping out. Those early bits of green on shrubs and bushes likely appear on plants you don’t want in your garden, like Japanese barberry and shrub honeysuckles.

Once again, it’s the season to brave short days and long nights, smile, and prepare for planting time. That’ll happen, but let’s get the bad news out of the way first: According to the World Wildlife Fund, our planet has lost two-thirds of its wildlife since 1970, mostly insects.

What’s yellow, climbs trees and utility poles, and has orange berries? Asiatic bittersweet, seen on a roadside near you every autumn. Even in early November, its yellow leaves can be seen climbing trees and poles throughout Harpswell.