There are several words often used in gardening in so many contexts that their meaning eventually becomes blurred. Perhaps this will help clarify some definitions for you.

INVASIVE. An organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native.

AGGRESSIVE. A plant that spreads faster than desired, or into an unwanted area. Ground covers are often an example of aggressive plants. We choose them to rapidly fill a specific place, but after accomplishing that task they continue to grow into surrounding areas.

THUG. Gardening slang for an aggressive plant that out-competes other plants growing nearby.

NATIVE. A plant that has evolved and grown naturally in a specific region or ecosystem for thousands of years. An example – even though a plant was brought from Europe and has been grown in the new world for hundreds of years, it is not native.

CULTIVAR. A plant variety specifically bred by humans using traditional breeding methods for desired traits such as color, size, or resistance. 

NATIVAR. A cultivated variety (cultivar) derived from a native plant, bred for a particular trait. It often involves a loss of genetic diversity. An example might be a plant whose blooms last longer by sacrificing scent.

GMO. A plant whose genome has been engineered in a laboratory to favor a specific trait.

NATURAL. Something that occurs in nature without human intervention.

SUSTAINABLE. The ability of ecosystems to maintain their structure, process, and composition over time, while providing essential services for future generations. Example – picking every asparagus spear no matter the size or time or year leaving no greenery to recharge the roots would be non-sustainable.

ORGANIC GARDENING. A holistic approach to gardening that prioritizes the health of the soil, plants, and surrounding ecosystem.

CONVENTIONAL GARDENING. A method of gardening that uses synthetic chemicals to promote growth and control weeds and pests.

Many people choose a hybrid between organic and conventional gardening. They might go organic in the vegetable garden, but conventional for lawn care. Or they might be organic with fertilizer and pest control, but occasionally use a conventional weed killer in tight spots where weeds can’t be pulled.

Call the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Edgar County for gardening information at 217-465-8585 or schiver@illinois.edu.