Comments on: What’s Native?

By: TC

TC — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:20:05 +0000

Great comment Ms. Ursula, and Ms. Carole, your post about natives is quite relevant to a discussion I started on the Business of Garden Writing Facebook page. Actually, all of these comments are relevant to that discussion. So much could be written about the subject, and I’m sure there’s plenty of books out there. I should read my copy of “Bringing Nature Home” more thoroughly.

I’m curious to know if growing a plant just because you like to look at it can be considered a “use” for that plant?

And don’t most local nurseries sell plants that will do best in the growing zone of their business? I’ll have to talk with a couple of greenhouse and nursery owners and ask them that question. What should I ask? “Do y’all grow local, regional, state and/or national native plants?”

By: Native Plant and Invasive Plant Defined

Native Plant and Invasive Plant Defined — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:24:42 +0000

[...] Species: In my view, figuring out what is, or is not, native causes more frustration among those of us trying to do the right thing by our wildlife, than figuring out what is invasive [...]

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:26:35 +0000

Remember: just because it is named Pacific Trillium doesn’t mean it’s native only to the Pacific coast. That may be where it was first seen or discovered. But this is a very good question about what is native.

By: Alison Kerr

Alison Kerr — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:56:31 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion UrsulaV. I looked up southern wax myrtle and it seems a wonderful plant, except that it likes zones 6 and above and I’m in 5b. I will however check my garden store (the local, non-native one) to see if they have them because they may be OK here despite the recommendation.

I also found Morella pensylvanica, nothern bayberry, which is a more northerly relative, at least on the east coast. That might work as it’s probably more cold tolerant and it seems to require less moisture also, from what I read.

By: UrsulaV

UrsulaV — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:57:40 +0000

Have you considered a Southern Wax Myrtle?

It’s native to Arkansas, it’s an evergreen, it grows like gangbusters in poor soils, and the birds love the berries. They’re also common and fairly cheap at garden stores, and recommended as privacy hedges. I dunno if it’ll do exactly what you need, but it’s bound to be better than an arborvitae…
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