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 September 24, 2008 
Let's Go Native
Autumn is upon us. I've stated repeatedly that fall is the very best time for planting trees and shrubs for the home landscape. What I've not said often enough is that you might consider purchasing and putting in native plants in much higher numbers than non-natives.
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Native plants are adapted to regional conditions. They are the best suited for tough growing situations. They often require less maintenance than non-natives and are cost-effective. They are hardy, withstand our extreme winter cold, and do not suffer from die back. They are also as ornamental or more so than many imports.
They are environmentally friendly and, because of natural adaptation, rarely require inputs of fertilizers and pesticides. Using natives in landscaping promotes biodiversity, and provides food and shelter for native wildlife. Every native plant put in the appropriate place is a step toward restoring regional character and a healthier ecosystem, while placing fewer demands on resources.
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Three natives: Phlox in the foreground, New England asters
in the middle, Burning bush in the background.
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You, along with native butterflies, moths, numerous beneficial insects, native birds, reptiles, mammals and other fauna, will enjoy the food and habitat of the natural surroundings of North American perennials, fruits, shrubs and trees. Fall migrating birds and spring migrants will stop by and spend a little time in your natural surroundings, whether flower beds, woodland, meadow, pond or bog garden.
If you take any of this to heart and begin to consider a foray into ecological gardening, please remember to explore choices that are proven deer-resistant, as these four legged creatures can decimate your efforts if forgotten about until too late.
We are very fortunate to have in our area a premier source of... "a selection of garden-worthy native plants of the Catskills", as Catskill Native Nursery describes one list. You can access them at www.CatskillNativeNursery.com. After speaking with proprietor, Francis Groeters, I learned they would likely remain open through Halloween. Francis and his partner, Diane, offer a wealth of information, including deer resistant native plants, trees and shrubs.
The list of native plants for American gardens seems endless. A few years back, Allan Armitage, noted author, speaker and researcher, presented at the Williamsburg Garden Symposium a talk about natives and their importance in gardening. Some of the suggested plants of special merit he recommended include the following:
Rue-anemone (Anemonella thalictroides) for heavy to partial shade. He suggested two cultivars of which he was especially fond: Schoaf's Pink and Cameo.
Wild Ginger (Asarum spp.) with their fascinating little brown jug-like flowers, suitable for some shade and moisture.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia and T.c. var collina) for partial shade and well drained soils. He likes 'Oakleaf', 'Brandywine' and 'Dunvegan'.
Yellow Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) with "bright yellow flowers... good looking leaves... a handsome seed capsule... not bad for a plant that reseeds with abandon."
False Indigo (Baptisia) "the very best native plant". The blue flowered form (B. australis) enjoys full sun. Other colors, white and yellow, will tolerate more shade.
Phlox (P. subulata, P. stolonifera, P. divaricata) all native, wonderful colors and forms, from 6" spreading plants to 4' tall.
Today you have an opportunity to jump into an exciting area of gardening that you might not have ever given thought to before; the floral composition of a native plant community. How often do we see areas that approach a sameness simply because we witness an overuse of the same exotics with the same predictable, monotonous looking landscape?
It's up to you to say, "Enough!" More than fifty years ago, Aldo Leopold taught us to celebrate our natural heritage, rely on natural processes from which native plants evolve, and plant them in our landscapes for their inherent qualities, adaptive traits, pleasing aesthetics, and practical and ecological value. Maybe, just maybe, the time is now!
The man who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world.
- Charles Dudley Warner
From
The Garden of Ed. Submitted for publication in The Towne Crier on
September 24, 2008
© 2008 Ed Mues. All Rights Reserved.
eMail:
eGarden@MountainAir.us
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