Native varieties have longer growing seasons, a decades-long lifespan and tight plant groupings to prevent weed growth.
~Michael Fleischacker
non-native plants disrupt the food web and present a growing problem for “organ- isms that depend on native plants for food, shelter and places to rear their young.”
Natives vs. Nativars While the harm caused by many invasive plants that evolved in a foreign habitat is well-documented and profound, the eco- logical impact of plant variations derived from native species—known as cultivars or nativars—is sometimes more subtle. Cultivars have been developed to
highlight specific traits, like larger blooms or longer bloom times. Tey may be bred for a stronger scent, or have the scent bred out of them in pursuit of another trait, making them less enticing to pollinators and wildlife. One drawback to cultivars is what those “improved” traits can affect. “Te
native serviceberry (Amelanchier) has small, bright red berries birds love to eat,” Fleischacker says. “Because they add color to a winter yard or are used for wreaths and décor, cultivars were bred to produce larger berries. Birds choke on the bigger berry, unable to swallow them.” A current, multi-year research project
at the Mt. Cuba Center’s native botanical gardens in Hockessin, Delaware, is seeking to determine whether certain cultivars are as attractive to insects as their native coun- terparts. What’s certain, say the experts: A
gardener can’t go wrong with indigenous plants. “Native varieties have longer grow- ing seasons, a decades-long lifespan and tight plant groupings to prevent weed growth,” Fleischacker says. Despite the perception by some that natives are boring,
they can be showier than their cultivar cousins and also thrive in their region’s unique conditions. “I keep my yard as natural as pos-
sible to co-exist with my neighbor, the Hiawatha National Forest, and its small animals and birds,” says Monica Cady, co-founder of the Herbal Lodge and a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa tribe in Hessel, Michigan.
Going Native Transitioning to native landscaping isn’t as daunting as it might seem. Small changes can make a difference, and local plant nurseries can assist. Some may have a staff horticulturalist to help distinguish the natives from the nativars and to steer gardeners clear of invasive, water- guzzling, nutrient-needy non-natives that will spread quickly and overwhelm the landscape. Going native isn’t an all-or-nothing
proposition, says Fleischacker. “Consult a local nursery or landscaper about adding natives to the mix. Tere are plants that love shade or sun, dry areas or damp.” When planning, look past what’s
trendy. “Te ecosystem is set up to protect and promote beneficial insects and pol- linators,” says Button. What was old can be new again.
Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at
AveryMack@mindspring.com.
30
Greater Oklahoma/OKC Edition
NaturalAwakeningsOKC.com
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