# Landscape Alternatives

> Identify invasive plants and find suitable native or non-invasive alternatives. (iPhone/iPad app by Charles T. Bargeron.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/landscape-alternatives/id559865258 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Charles T. Bargeron](https://appshunter.io/developer/381326173)
- Category: Education, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 351 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-09-13
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/landscape-alternatives/id559865258/reviews.md

## What is Landscape Alternatives?

Everybody loves a beautiful garden. Gardeners love plants that are adaptable, tough, and fast-growing. It’s even better if that plant produces showy fruits that attract birds or is an annual that self seeds, so it doesn’t need to be replanted every year. Unfortunately, many of these plant traits desirable to gardeners can also increase the likelihood that a plant jumps the garden fence and invades natural areas.

Invasive plants threaten our environment and economy. They pose an enormous threat to our native plants, animals, and ecosystems, and they cost the United States approximately $35 billion per year (www.invasivespecies.gov). 

Although invasive plants are almost always not native to a region, it is important to note that most non-native species are not invasive. We use the following definitions.

Native (indigenous): A species that was present in North American prior to European settlement or has arrived since through natural means of dispersal.

Non-native (exotic, alien, introduced): A species that was brought to North America by humans, either deliberately or accidentally.

Invasive: A non-native whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health (from Federal Executive Order 13112).

People have introduced invasive species both accidentally and deliberately. This app focuses on plant species that are used ornamentally and have become invasive in at least part of the Midwest. Cultivars or hybrids produced from these species may or may not be invasive. In the few published cultivar evaluation studies, some cultivars prove to be more invasive than the parent species, others less or not invasive. We lack research about cultivar invasiveness for many of these species. When we have good evidence about a problematic or relatively benign cultivar, we list those specifically.

Suggested alternatives include both native species and non-native species that currently show no signs of becoming invasive.

## Key features

- Identify invasive plant species
- Discover native plant alternatives
- Find non-invasive plant suggestions
- Learn about environmental threats
- Understand plant definitions (native, non-native, invasive)

## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/landscape-alternatives/id559865258/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great resource to start planning a landscape

*2021-09-16, version 2.4.4*

I love this as a way to start planning a landscape, it’s full of native plant suggestions and growing tips. It works much better since it was updated earlier this year

### 1/5 — Terrible app

*2013-07-28, version 1.6*

Either no plants are listed or the app wasn't working. Either way, a waste of space. The only thing that showed up was a statement about invasive plants. I thought it would have photos and id info.

### 1/5 — ??????

*2013-06-13*

This doesn't do anything.

### 5/5 — Very useful

*2012-12-04, version 1.3*

A great app to raise awareness of invasive plants and encourage the planting of natives. Could use more plant suggestions and should include a native choice on each. I can think of more plants that could be promoted!

### 5/5 — Very helpful

*2012-11-25, version 1.3*

Great app for looking up alternatives to invasive species for your yard.  Wish everyone would grow native!

## Frequently asked questions about Landscape Alternatives

### What are the main benefits of using Landscape Alternatives?

Landscape Alternatives helps users identify invasive plant species that can harm local ecosystems. It then provides suggestions for native or non-invasive alternatives, promoting biodiversity and environmental health in gardens.

### Does Landscape Alternatives offer information on specific plant cultivars?

Yes, the app notes problematic or relatively benign cultivars when there is good evidence. However, it acknowledges that research on cultivar invasiveness is lacking for many species.

### How does Landscape Alternatives define invasive plants?

Landscape Alternatives defines an invasive species as a non-native plant whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

### What is the learning methodology of Landscape Alternatives?

The app educates users on the definitions of native, non-native, and invasive species. It focuses on plant species used ornamentally that have become invasive in parts of the Midwest, guiding users toward sustainable choices.

### How often is Landscape Alternatives updated?

The app was last updated on September 20, 2021, with version 2.4.5. This indicates a relatively stable version, though updates may occur periodically.

### What devices is Landscape Alternatives available on?

Landscape Alternatives is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed for Apple's mobile operating systems.

### What is the age rating for Landscape Alternatives?

Landscape Alternatives has an age rating of 4+. This suggests it is suitable for young children and general audiences.

### Does Landscape Alternatives have ads?

No, Landscape Alternatives does not contain advertisements. As a free application, it provides an ad-free experience for its users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4.5 — 2021-09-20

Added more colorblind-inclusive indication colors for invasive, exotic and native species.

### 2.4.4 — 2021-08-10

Minor edits for Species details.

### 2.4.3 — 2021-07-15

Updated App Icon

### 2.4.2 — 2021-07-08

-Formatting and data revisions

### 2.4.1 — 2021-06-19

Minor text edits and images updated.

## Apps similar to Landscape Alternatives

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Wisconsin Wildflowers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wisconsin-wildflowers/id1104723380) | 5.0 (9) | Free | Education |
| [Indiana Wildflowers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/indiana-wildflowers/id1102612900) | 5.0 (4) | Free | Education |
| [Florida Wildflowers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/florida-wildflowers/id1095433451) | 5.0 (8) | Free | Education |
| [New England Wildflowers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-england-wildflowers/id1105061023) | 4.1 (9) | Free | Education |
| [WiBee](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wibee/id1483549326) | 4.3 (6) | Free | Education |
| [Minnesota Wildflowers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minnesota-wildflowers/id1095586198) | 4.1 (7) | Free | Education |

## More apps by Charles T. Bargeron

- [IveGot1](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivegot1/id381326170)
- [EDDMapS West](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eddmaps-west/id481009243)
- [Invasives in Southern Forests](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/invasives-in-southern-forests/id495852751)
- [IPCConnect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ipcconnect/id497977974)
- [Outsmart Invasive Species](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outsmart-invasive-species/id499957573)
- [Mid-Atlantic EDN](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mid-atlantic-edn/id501239698)

All apps by Charles T. Bargeron: https://appshunter.io/developer/381326173

## Related topics

[ffl plants](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ffl-plants)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*