There are some great reasons to plant and grow native species, but there are some significant drawbacks too.
There are many reasons to put native plants into your garden. A native plant, by definition is one that was not introduced to your area, but grows wild and has spread there without help from humans. Over the hundreds of years that they have grown in your area they have doubtless encountered severe storms, draught, floods and fire, but still managed to come back.
Introduced plants, whether they come from Europe or Asia, evolved with a different set of parameters such as soil chemistry and climate. They may have adjusted very well to your North American garden but they may not be able to survive the extremes that nature throws at you occasionally. We compensate for these extremes in an effort to keep the plants healthy, but at a cost to our time and resources.
However, the down side of just growing natives is that you will limit the number of plants in your garden. Every thing from peony to forsythia was introduced over the last hundred or so years!
Another dilemma with native plants is where to draw the line? Some say that it should be on a statewide basis, others prefer a more regional definition, and still others are content with the continent wide distribution. Still others may prefer to limit the exclusion list to those plants that were here before a certain date, such as 1700.
The nemesis to native plants is the 'Exotic Invasive". These are the plants that were introduced by humans and escaped the gardens to run riot over the landscape. They are stronger than the natives, who are not used to competition of that sort, and eventually take over the location. A prime example is the kudzu vine in the south and the purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in both the Midwest and northeast. These plants have become a menace that everyone can acknowledge. Indeed legislation on a statewide basis restricts both the importation and selling of these extreme nuisance plants.
So should you grow only natives? That is a purely individual decision. I always include some in the landscape, particularly in woodland areas. I do enjoy other plants though too and would be reluctant to give up growing them, purely because they are not native. I do not however, grow anything that is classed as invasive in the area where I garden.
The copyright of the article Planting Native Plants in Plants & Bulbs is owned by Kate Copsey. Permission to republish Planting Native Plants must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Sep 18, 2006 8:10 AM
Gloria Barry
:
If I were to decide to grow all roses or lilies or just perennials little notice would be taken. So why does interest in such a diverse group of plants as american natives perplex so many people. Is it just something to write about? Many native plants are beautiful and easy to grow. You will not be limited by sun or shade,wet or dry conditions, rich or poor soils. You can grow many natives in regular garden beds in traditional ways mixed right in with the non-native choices. Or you can try a more relaxed look that works well as a habitat garden, attracting insects and birds to hang out in your garden. Some natives have specific requirements to do well for sure. That is part of the allure. Have you ever talked to an orchid enthusiast? Some of us get a bit passionate over the details. It's another niche in the great gardening web. Gloria
Sep 18, 2006 8:28 AM
Kate Copsey
:
.>So why does interest in such a diverse group of plants as american natives perplex so many people. Is it just something to write about? Many native plants are beautiful and easy to grow. You will not be limited by sun or shade,wet or dry conditions, rich or poor soils. You can grow many natives in regular garden beds in traditional ways mixed right in with the non-native choices.
Gloria I have absolutely no problem with growing natives and as my article pointed out there are some great reasons to grow them and I do mix them in with my traditionals ones too
I think the problem is that with rosarians and hosta lovers, they do not outwardly promote that you should grow only roses/hostas/daylilies etc. There are however, some very vocal people who advocate we should only grow native plants. I merely pointed out that in doing that, we loose a great many terrific plants that add diversity to the landscape and give many people enjoyment.
As for 'is it just something to write about': yes it is a topic to write about, just as I write about specific plants or groups of plants or garden design. As a writer, I try to appreciate all the different aspects of gardening and sometimes it opens up discussion which is good.
Nov 15, 2006 10:29 AM
Gloria Barry
:
I can only address how and why plants are used in my own garden. When deciding what would be planted the Mr and I talked about what purpose the garden would serve in our lives. First we would like to grow some food for ourselves. Then we would like a space full of growing plants and as much wildlife as our small urban space could accomadate. Each choice could be looked at to accomplish this.
While looking into plant choices for sustaining a wildlife population we found that many times native species would be the best choice. One reason for this is that the wildlife and the plant life evolved over time together. Human interference while complex is still fairly recent in world history. Problems of disturbance to habitat can not be completely overcome but can be looked at the same way any natural disturbance would be dealt with. Floods, storms, fire happen, flora and fauna recover. Populations explode , crash, recover. It is the way of the intricate web called life on earth.
We learned to evaluate the climate, the soil and the species of wildlife that could or should be found in this area. We also learned that food and water are only part of the picture. A habitat that supports reproduction and provides protection during the changing seasons and life cycles of wildlife must be part of the picture to be successful to our purpose.
And so native species of plants became a valuble resource. Whenever choosing even food plants for ourselves this criteria is taken into account. Berries and nuts ,prairie roses that produce hips, greens to flavor salads, herbs with which to cook,foods that we enjoy and serve a double purpose.
I'm not saying this is the route for everyone or that it is the only answer. But it is another successful way to look at the garden.
This article of yours inspired me to start a blog at Blogspot.com entitled 'Pollinators welcome'. I'm hoping to meet other gardeners of like mind. http://pollinators-welcome.blogspot.com/
Nov 17, 2006 7:10 AM
Kate Copsey
:
I'm not saying this is the route for everyone or that it is the only answer. But it is another successful way to look at the garden.
This article of yours inspired me to start a blog at Blogspot.com entitled 'Pollinators welcome'. I'm hoping to meet other gardeners of like mind.
I am glad that you found a great way to garden that nourishes both you and the local wildlife. I wish you luck with your garden and your blog! Kate
