By Shannon Kennedy, ANR Educator, UGA Extension Forsyth County
There has been a lot of interest in native plants in recent years, for some very good reasons. Although some may consider native plants less striking than some introduced or cultivated species, with thoughtful selection and planning, we can use native plants to create a landscape that is more sustainable, more ecologically useful, and just as beautiful as traditional, formal landscapes.
The strongest argument in favor of native species is that when they are placed appropriately, they are more sustainable. Georgia has a wide variety of natural landscapes; dense hardwood forests, open pine meadows, rolling clay hills, and steep mountain slopes are all represented in our state. This ecological diversity means that we can select from a wide variety of plants to fill out the unique environments our landscapes contain. Native azaleas prefer acidic soil, so by using these plants you end up using less lime to reduce soil acidity. Oak leaf hydrangeas can grow in part shade while still providing an impressive summer display. Blue wild indigo and pink muhly grass tolerate dry soil after they have been established, so you can reduce irrigation to a flowerbed containing these species. Whatever landscape challenges you face, there is likely a native plant that can meet that challenge.
Since native plants are better adapted for our natural environment, they tend to experience less stress than nonnative plant species. Stress has a similar effect on plants as it does on us: When we are stressed, we are more likely to get sick because our immune system is compromised. When a plant is well suited to its location, it is better able to resist and recover from pests or diseases. Using native plants is not a guarantee that you will avoid all pest problems, but you ensure that the plants you are using are tolerant of local pests and diseases.
Another reason you should consider using native plants is that they give your landscape a purpose. Native plants are pivotal in reversing the decline in native pollinator populations. Coral bells and wild indigo provide early spring nectar that pollinators so desperately need coming out of winter. Bee balm, eastern purple coneflower, buttonbush, and milkweeds provide forage through the entirety of summer. As temperatures begin to cool goldenrod and ironweed are essential to pollinators as they prepare for winter. There are some native pollinators that depend on a small group of native plants to survive. Plants in the blueberry and rose family, Ericaceae and Rosaceae, are important for the native blueberry bee, and long-horn bees rely on goldenrods and asters. Adding flowering plants to the landscape is the obvious way to help pollinators, but we should also consider host plants. These are trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that provide food to the larval stages of pollinators. For example, the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar depends on the spicebush shrub for foliar forage. Spicebush can be planted in partial shade, it has yellow flowers in spring, and the leaves have a spicy fragrance when they are crushed. Zebra swallowtails depend on pawpaw tree leaves to gain the energy they need to metamorphosize – and the fruit of the pawpaw tree is a tasty treat for people. Native ferns such as southern wood fern, southern maiden fern, and cinnamon fern can be forage for larvae as well, so next time you are looking for a ground cover for a shaded area, consider a native fern.
