Here’s something I need to get out of the way right here in the beginning. I have been accused by some of being a native plant nazi because of my firm belief that native plants are much better in the conservation garden than are exotic plants.
I am not suggesting that you rip all your favorite exotic plants out of your garden, such as that shrub that came from a cutting passed down by your grandmother, those beautiful spring bulbs, or those cheery housewarming gifts you received from your neighbors. I have nothing against many exotic garden plants, and I have many in my own garden.
There is almost no sweeter sign of spring than the sight of crocuses pushing up their cheery blooms through the snow.
However, I do take issue with any plant that is invasive because they can out-compete native plants and destroy habitat for wildlife. I have a passionate dislike of any garden center that continues to sell invasive plants under the premise that “people want them, so if I don’t sell them someone else will”.
I am really not a fan of the “make money no matter what” philosophy (I have had an overwhelming desire in recent years to print up a roll of stickers that say “highly invasive–do not plant” and plaster them all over the plants at Home Depot and Lowes, among others).
It has been my experience that when people become aware of why these plants are so undesirable and so unhealthy for functioning ecosystems, they no longer want them, so instead of continuing to sell these plants, why not educate people to better choices?
Remember that our purpose here is to create habitat for wildlife, and in that regard, native plants offer significantly more benefits than do exotic species.
It is in this context that I am such a passionate advocate for the use of as many native species as possible in our landscapes. In a garden designed for wildlife, we want as many plants as we can squeeze into our gardens that best serve the needs of our local wildlife.
If the plants we choose can serve double duty by providing aesthetic beauty for us while providing habitats for several species of wildlife then that is all the better. So when choosing plants to fill in bare spots or new plantings, please take the needs of wildlife into account and choose native plants.
Speak with your wallet by supporting native plant nurseries in your area. When garden centers no longer make a profit from the sale of invasive plants, they will stop selling them.
Are you removing invasive plants from your landscape?
Show off Your Wildlife Garden–we’d love to see what you’ve got, so pick your favorite photo of your habitat garden and get the chance to be published at Ecosystem Gardening
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About Carole Sevilla Brown
I agree crocuses are a wonderful way to greet the spring. However, the yellow wood poppies (native to Pennsylvania) that continue to bloom long into our cool summer this year bring me even MORE joy! And now that the poppies have spread under our locust tree, our shade garden is even lovelier. Great positive reinforcement for planting natives.
Two words: Godwin’s Law. Using a “Nazi” reference is a sure sign of a weak/failed argument.
I’ve discovered that the species forms of crocus bloom almost as soon as the snow melts, and they are mobbed by early-waking bees. Unfortunately, I haven’t yet found a native plant that does the same.
.-= firefly´s last blog ..Stealth plants, part 1 =-.
Honestly,
Any plant is better than no plant at all.
Ecosystems have been in relative flux for many thousands of years.
So basically saying something is bad or good when it comes to a plant is all relative in human terms of course. The relative stability of most ecosystems can improve with the addition of new plants and animals and over time will stabilize although in human terms its not happening quick enough.
Again I’m sort of against labeling a plant bad or a weed.
Just my two sense worth