Ontario Invasive Plant Council

05/12/2026

05/02/2026

Do not plant invasive Siberian Squill (Scilla):

While the blue carpet of Blue Squill may look pretty, it’s actually pretty… invasive.
These plants spread into natural areas and choke out much needed plants our local butterflies and bumblebees need for food and shelter.

Why squill is a problem — four quick facts:

🥺Escapes & dominates 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱
Dense mats of squill crowd out native spring flowers like trout‑lily and trillium in deciduous forests like maple–beech forests

🥺Rapid Replication: Bulbs, seeds, ants, repeat 🐜🔁
Each bulb splits, which slowly but steadily form colonies. At the same time flowers produce seeds (A mature plant = 1000+ seeds.) Ants carry these seeds metres away. Seedlings flower in just three years, restarting the cycle. (Note: The variety ‘Spring Beauty’ is triploid and sterile.)

🥺 Toxic to pets & people🤢☠️
All parts of the plant contain compounds that can be fatal if eaten.

🥺 The risk score just jumped 🤬
In 2017, Scilla sibirica was initially thought to have low invasive risk. Fast forward to 2025, squill moves from “Low” to “High” Risk due to new field records, climate‑match mapping, and seed‑viability research. Let’s no longer underestimate this plant!

👉🏿What gardeners (& retailers) can do💪💪

✅Press pause before planting. If you see squill bulbs for sale, flag the issue with the retailer—ask them to switch to native spring bulbs 🚩

✅ Contain existing patches:
◦ Dead‑head flowers before they seed.
◦ Dig bulbs when soil is moist; trash them (don’t compost).🪏
◦ Never dump garden waste near natural areas.
◦ Don’t share bulbs or take them to your cottage.

✅ Re‑plant with pollinator‑friendly natives that give a spring pop of colour:

◦ Mertensia virginica — Virginia bluebells
◦ Claytonia caroliniana — spring beauty
◦ Anemone quinquefolia — wood anemone
◦ Erythronium americanum — trout‑lily
◦ Sanguinaria canadensis — bloodroot

“Ecological harm doesn’t vanish when the petals do.”

🛑Stop selling this plant in stores.

Want to do more? Visit :
Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation

Facts about Blue Squill taken from a 2025 post by cathykavassalis and viewsfromthethunderbox designed and drew the comic.

05/01/2026

We're Hiring! Join OIPC this summer as a Marketing or Events Coordinator and help protect Ontario’s landscapes from invasive species. Both positions are funded through Canada Summer Jobs. Applicants must be between the ages of 15-30 to qualify. Apply by May 20th.

Full position details here 👇
https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/we-are-hiring-two-canada-summer-job-positions/

02/26/2026

Did you know that aquatic invasive species can spread by hitching a ride on your boat? That’s why rules and regulations are in place in several provinces for recreational boaters and why it’s always important to inspect, clean, drain and dry your boat before moving it between waterbodies.

🔗 Learn more using the link in our bio!

02/25/2026

Be on the lookout for Giant Hogweed this spring/summer!

02/24/2026

02/24/2026

Test your invasive species knowledge!

What do you know about Invasive species in Canada?
This Invasive Species Awareness Week, test your knowledge about non-native invaders and be entered to win a merchandise prize pack valued at $250!
Prizes have been contributed by conservation organizations working across Canada to tackle invasive species.
Contest closes March 2, 2026.
A winner will be drawn on March 3, 2026 at 10AM ET.
Test your invasive species knowledge here: https://bit.ly/ISAWQuiz

02/23/2026

Happy Invasive Species Awareness Week!

Mark your calendars - Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) is coming up!

February 23rd-March 1st is the annual Invasive Species Awareness Week, where organizations come together to share knowledge, raise awareness, and fight the spread of invasive species. Keep an eye out on our social media to learn more about invasive species and how you can help prevent the spread.

Join the conversation this Invasive Species Awareness Week by using the hashtag

02/23/2026

Its Invasive Species Awareness Week! Join Invasives Canada to learn more about invasive species with their two upcoming webinars this week:

🚨 Invasive Species Awareness Week starts next week and we’re kicking things off with two webinars!

🌱 Monday, February 23 | 12:00 PM EST
Youth Eco Stewards - Highlighting Youth in Action:
Hear from Amanda MacCarthy and youth leaders across Canada who are advancing community science, protecting wildlife, and raising awareness about invasive species - from invasive frogs to native turtles and even goldfish impacts.

🌊 Tuesday, February 24 | 12:00 PM EST
Extreme Flooding & Knotweed Dispersal:
Dr. David Clements explores how major flooding events in BC are influencing the spread of knotweed in a changing climate, and what it means for management and prevention.

Start ISAW by learning from youth leaders and leading researchers working to protect the places we love.

👉 Register now at: https://www.invasivescanada.ca/invasive-species-awareness-week/

01/15/2026

We've got big plans for Grow Me Instead in 2026... and it starts with you!

Help us better understand current trends across Ontario's native plant market. Your feedback will help support native plant availability in your region. 🌱

Fill out our short survey 👇
https://bit.ly/4jDPmwd