Benefits of Native Plants

With well over a foot of snow on the ground recently, most folks are not thinking about spring planting. Remember, it is February and local garden centers will have new plant stock available soon. One garden topic that is gathering more interest is the use of native plants. Virginia native plants are plants here at the time of the settlers at Jamestown. Many plants in Virginia are also naturalized from other parts of the world that have similar climate and growing conditions. According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) there are nearly 3,200 native or naturalized plants in Virginia with around 600 being introduced after Jamestown.

Native plants provide both landscape and wildlife benefits. Natives often require less fertilization and pest management. This does not mean they are disease and insect free. Always take the time to research before purchasing. Whether a plant is native, naturalized, or invasive, the plant needs the same requirements: light, heat, air, water and nutrients. A native and favorite of most everyone is the flowering dogwood. It grows best in well drained, acidic soil with sufficient organic matter and limited sunlight by the canopy of adjacent, taller trees. Dogwoods are often referred to as under story trees. Plant a flowering dogwood in poorly drained, clay soil in full sun and it is likely to be stressed and diseased. Again gardeners – right plant, right place.

An excellent source for native only plants is DCR’s website, http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/np. Through a series of drop down menus you may select such items as plant type, light conditions, usage of the plant, and if the plant is for pollinators.

Examples of central Virginia, naturalized plants that provide beauty and wildlife benefits are crepe myrtle and yoshino cherry from China and Japan respectively. Buddleia or butterfly bush is a favorite of mine as evident by my back yard. This wildlife benefiter is native to China. A closer example is the southern magnolia. This towering example of evergreen beauty has its native origin in the southeastern U.S. Examples of turf grass are Bermuda grass from Africa and its European, cool season opposite, tall fescue.

Your garden should be your happy place. Natives or naturalized plants offer a variety of color, texture, and benefits to birds, bees, and butterflies. Stepping outside and seeing all that at once, you might just break out into your happy dance. Think about it, plan it, then plant it!