Native Plants in the Backyard Garden
In 1962, Rachel Carlson said, “In nature, nothing exists alone” based on her observation that everything we do has an effect somewhere else. That statement is as true today as it was 60 years ago.
Native plants are those that have naturally evolved in a particular region or ecosystem. They’ve been present in the area for hundreds or thousands of years. Natives are adapted to the local climate, soil conditions, and wildlife, and they’re a crucial part of the ecosystem because they maintain balance and preserve biodiversity.
Native plants have been used for centuries by Indigenous people for medicinal, culinary, and cultural purposes. “In some Native languages, the term for plant translates to ‘those who take care of us.’” (Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass)
On the other hand, non-native plants have been introduced to an area from other parts of the world. For instance, the popular lilac was brought to America by European settlers in the 18th century. Some non-natives like the Japanese knotweed have become invasive, outcompeting native plants, and disrupting local ecosystems.
Native plants are important for several reasons.
First, they provide habitat and food for birds, insects/pollinators (bees and butterflies), and mammals. The flowering and fruiting are synchronized with the life cycles of local wildlife to provide a consistent food source.
Think about the monarch butterfly that flies up to 3,000 miles from New England to central Mexico for the winter and back again. On the way north, the butterflies mate, and when they arrive, they look for milkweed plants to lay their eggs. Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the sole food source for the monarch caterpillar. Imagine flying all that way and not finding enough milkweed. Without milkweed, we stand to lose the monarch butterflies and moths.
Natives also provide diversity because they come in many sizes, shapes, colors, and fragrances. This variety contributes to the overall health and stability of the ecosystem. Plus, they are beautiful, providing spring flowers and fall color. Redbuds bloom in late April and have one of the showiest flowers of any native tree in New England.
Resilience is another benefit of native plants, since they’ve adapted to the soil, climate, and weather conditions. They’ve evolved over time and have natural defenses, can better withstand drought and extreme temperatures, and can survive and thrive with less water, fertilizer, and maintenance. And who doesn’t want less maintenance?
Residential and commercial development and yards with lawns and ornamental non-native plants have created what’s called habitat fragmentation, meaning there are areas without food and shelter for wildlife. Habitat fragmentation matters because it can disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems and lead to the decline or extinction of species.
Homeowners can help address the problem. As Doug Tallamy, an entomologist, professor, and author of several books including Bringing Nature Home states, “in the face of habitat destruction, the small pockets of habitat that we create in our own yards and gardens is increasingly important.” Native plants can provide that habitat for local and migratory species.
I’ve been a gardener for most of my adult life and early on I’d go to the nursery and buy whatever was pretty. As I became aware of the declining populations of bees and butterflies, I began incorporating a mix of native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants into my yard. As a result, I’ve noticed a wider variety of birds, including more hummingbirds and different types of pollinators.
Some nurseries and the big box stores still sell non-native plants marketed as being beneficial for pollinators, such as the butterfly bush, which originated in central China. Planting non-native plants like butterfly bush in your yard actually makes it harder for the butterflies and birds in your neighborhood to survive.
The Black-capped chickadee lives in my area year-round, and this little bird is a common sight in yards and parks. Chickadees will eat from backyard feeders, but their primary food source is insects. When feeding their chicks, chickadee parents need 500 caterpillars a day, and those caterpillars are found on native plants. You won’t have to worry about bug problems with natives, as wildlife will take care of the bugs for you.
“If you don’t have natives, the plant-caterpillar-chickadee food web stops,” Tallamy explains. “If you plant butterfly bush, and not native [species], then right away you’re removing at least 75% of the food that is supporting the biodiversity that’s out there.”
The value of native plants exceeds their physical beauty. To help address the problem of habitat fragmentation, the next time you go looking for a new plant, consider the benefits of native plants and look for plants that are from your local area.
Natives – trees, shrubs, and flowering plants – play a crucial role in supporting the health and sustainability of the local ecosystems by providing essential habitats and food sources to birds, insects, and pollinators like bees and butterflies.
By including native plants in your own gardens, you can have a low maintenance garden that helps to foster a thriving ecosystem and contribute to the overall well-being of the environment.