LAUREL PARK, NORTH CAROLINA
Protecting native plant communities, managing invasives.
Native plants are the foundation of the woodlands, stream-banks, and roadsides that make Laurel Park what it is. Invasive species are steadily displacing them — and property by property, residents can turn that around.
OUR PURPOSE
Preserving Laurel Park's natural heritage through practical education.
Flora of Laurel Park is the reference site for identifying and managing the plants that grow here — native species worth protecting, and the invasive species displacing them. It exists so a resident who spots something unfamiliar on their property can find out what it is, whether it matters, and what to do about it.
WHY IT MATTERS
Beyond a nuisance
Invasive plants in Laurel Park have moved well beyond a nuisance — they are actively degrading the natural ecosystems and infrastructure that define our town. They outcompete native species that support wildlife, pollinators, and tree canopy; undermine roads, foundations, and drainage; and left unmanaged, spread quickly to weaken or kill mature trees. With the right approach, matched to each plant's biology, they're manageable.
WHO WE ARE
The Native Plant Stewardship Committee
The Native Plant Stewardship Committee of Laurel Park — formerly the Invasive Species Committee — was established to help residents recognize the invasive plants taking hold in the town and respond to them effectively. We publish plain-language identification and management guidance, host workshops, and answer questions from homeowners.
The general principles — identify first, let the biology choose the method, plan for follow-up.
6 Common Invasives
Laurel Park's priority species, with control timing and method for each.
Side-by-side photos for identifying what's growing on your property.