Growing a Greener


Garden Caring for creation at FPCA with beautiful, low- maintenance native plants


BY KIMBERLY HEIMAN


As the days lengthen and the temperatures climb from bitter cold to something at least a little warmer, those of us with a love of gardening get out the seed books and gardening magazines and start planning.


For many of us, that means vegetables and ornamental flowers, most of which are not native to North America. For example, daylilies are actually native to Asia, and some types of daylilies have escaped from ornamental gardens and become invasive, damaging local wild areas. Cultivation of this gorgeous orange flower has resulted in nearly 60,000 varieties, but many of them don’t provide much food for insects and birds. In addition, many of the flowers we grow require more water and different soil nutrients than occur naturally in our region. Our gardens provide food for our tables and escape from the chaos of our houses and jobs but often do little for God’s creation.


Tere are alternatives that can provide beautiful flower gardens and food for our tables without requiring extra water or fertilizer. Gardening with plants native to our region can dramatically reduce gardening-related expenses and provide resources for wildlife.


Starting last fall, Greening Creation, one of First Presbyterian’s mission ministries (see box), began planting native plants along the poorly landscaped east side of our church building (facing McDonald’s). Once established, these plants will require minimal watering, no fertilizer, and only a little mulch to keep weeds at bay.


We chose native flowering plants to provide color throughout the growing season to these drab, forgotten garden beds,


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