Where do you stand on planting natives vs. non-natives?
| Posted in Sustainable Gardening on
Let’s get a genuine conversation going. Some people think you should plant only native plants. Some people say that we have to start looking for cultivars of native plants that can compete in this changing climate and against invasive species. Some people just want to plant their butterfly bush, burning bush, callery pear, etc. and call it a day. Landscaping professionals and nursery folk often have to stock what the people want.
What are your thoughts on this topic?
What are the challenges to planting more natives?
How many native plants do you have in your yard and have you noticed any changes?
Replies
I have a lot of native plants, especially shrubs. They are very reliable in the high desert/sagebrush steppe, with maybe 12 inches of rain per year. I am always experimenting with "nativars" or cultivars of native plants. I am more concerned about getting rid of invasive plants than holding the line on native plants.
For instance, I am pairing a true native with a very well-adapted non-native species tulip.
I've attached a picture of one of my all-time favorite spring flowering natives, Geum triflorum, or "Old Man's Whiskers." For next spring, I am pairing it with species tulips. Stay tuned.
I love native plants! However, I have many non-native plants in my garden that work well and provide ecosystem services at a high level.
Agreed.
Of course native plants are great and ideal, but there are lots of lovely non-native plants that are not invasive, and I don't think there is anything wrong with including them. They can still benefit pollinators and provide ecological benefits in addition to adding variety to the garden.
Thank you.
My yard is primarily native, partly because I originally came to gardening through hiking and botanizing, which gave me an appreciation and love for native flora. I also like feeling I'm not just gardening for myself, but for the insects and even herbivores I share my garden with. I also enjoy experimenting with lesser used native plants, seeing how they succeed or fail in a garden setting. I'm the type of gardener who would have one of everything if I didn't place some sort of guiding theme, so staying mostly native provides that control. I do find that many native plants, particularly meadow/prairie species, need a lot of attention in the way of cutting back and thinning out in order to stay in control and tidy. I try to make that clear to clients because many people have the impression that native plants are easier or less maintenance. Not true!
I am working towards applying for a pollinator certified garden from our local Extension and so try to choose as many natives as I can. Pollinating insects are often not able to make use of cultivars and even some nativars, especially those with double flowers, but I include some of them because of their aesthetic value. Some native plants are very susceptible to diseases and pests, so it makes sense to replace them with disease-resistant cultivars that are appropriate for my local conditions. So bottom line it's a balance between aesthetics and native plants.
I’ve been planting natives, mostly straight species but some cultivars. Since our gardens are not restoration projects but they do affect nearby wild areas, it’s important to ‘first, do no harm.’ Remove invasive species so they don’t spread. At minimum, keep them from reseeding. Then add natives. Create a seed bank, nourish wildlife. If it not native but wildlife is using it or it’s performing another function (covering the ground and preventing more invasives, reminding me of someone I love, etc) I leave it. My yard feeds wildlife all year round and my life is enriched. Watching birds, bees, wasps, chipmunks and all the critters, gives me hope and comfort. I have so many new species of bees, butterflies and more since I started planting natives. Plant natives and they will come!!