Help me understand the importance of native plants
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Anonymous
| I am reading more and more about the importance of planting native plants. While I want to support the planet I would like to understand a bit more. It seems like bees are able to pollinate non-native plants too (I mean otherwise the plants would not survive, right?) . What exactly is lost and does this mean I should not plant hydrangea, which seem to thrive here ? |
Anonymous
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Why Native Plants Matter:https://www.audubon.org/content/why-native-plants-matter
Key points: Low maintenance Beauty Healthy places for people (fewer chemicals required) Helping the climate (less need to mow, etc.) Conserving water Wildlife |
Anonymous
Thanks but I disagree that natives by definition are more beautiful (though I can see that they might fit better into a certain setting) . Was more interested in whether natives attract more bees. |
Anonymous
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(1) They help preserve biodiversity.
(2) Because they are adapted to local conditions, they generally require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. (3) They won't become invasive species that spread and harm local wildlife. (4) While some pollinators may be able to feed off of non-native plants, many species are adapted to specific types of plants. (As a side note, plants in your yard can survive without pollinators. What they can't do is reproduce and spread.) There's nothing wrong with mixing native and non-native plants, but I think it's best to use predominately native plants. |
Anonymous
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Since you mention hydrangeas, some are bee friendly and some are not: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/help-pollinators-with-these-bee-friendly-plants/
And watch out for your cats and dogs: https://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/poisoning-toxicity/are-hydrangeas-poisonous-cats-and-dogs |
Anonymous
| Bees are not the only pollinators. Butterflies, wasps, bats, etc are all pollinators. Native plants are important because the native and (non native like honeybees) wildlife are adapted to pollinate native plants. |
Anonymous
Besides some of the things others have noted. Insects live on and off of plants. Not all insects will utilize all plants. While there are a few "generalists" that make their habitat or eat from any plant, most are specialists. They have certain needs that have evolved with certain plants (Monarchs and Milkweed are a perfect example. Most insects don't eat those plants b/c the sap binds their mouths shut. Monarchs have a) learned to eat in a way that they bypass this by cutting off the sap vein and working their way out and b) evolved such that their mouths don't bind shut if they eat it). So if a plant likes/needs a native phlox, and only that, if they have no access to it they will move or, more likely, die off in that area. That is not only bad for the insect but for the birds and spiders that eat those insects. Without a food source, then the birds start to move or die off (this is in fact happening). Restoring native plants is not only beautiful, it supports the food chain. And if more people do it, there is less dependence on oasis/islands. In fact, we need more than islands here and there. We need connected routes (this is where the more yards that do it the better) for migration patterns and to support the bugs and birds and wildlife from cradle to grave, as the saying goes. Highly rec the Doug Tallamy books. We've been doing native plants for a few years now, along with ditching Round up, and making other small changes. It's been awesome to watch our yard transform. EXTREMELY rewarding on many fronts. |
Anonymous
They are def more beautiful, imo, if you pick the right fit for your yard. And 100 yes, they support and attract more bees. We also raise Mason bees (which are early season bees and native; very effective pollinators). Honeybees are also important but not native and not as effective. Masons don't sting (well one of the sexes can't and the other almost never does). And they are very entertaining to watch. |
Anonymous
It depend on the plants. What are you trying to do? Some non native plants will attract bees but not other insects or may be missed timed for the bees- ie bloom at a time when bees are unable to use them. Native plants make up a larger community of plants. As such their combined blooms will feed bees from the early spring to late fall. Many of the non native perennials, shrubs and tree do not bloom, have flowers that are not designed for bees(ie requires more work for less food or they can not accessible), bloom too quickly, bloom at the wrong time, etc. Many times a landscape yard will seem dead and sterile with no or little insect/bird life because there is nothing for them in the yard after a quick bloom in spring. When you design a landscape for bees you need think in terms of bloom time, duration, overlap/transition of blooms and can the bees use the bloom. You also have to consider which bees you are trying to help. Honey bees are not native. Bumblebees, sweat bees, Carpenter bees, etc are native, come in a variety of sizes and 20%-45% of native bees are pollen specialists, meaning that they use only pollen from one species (or genus) of plants. Some native plants will not pollinate without these insects. This means no fruit or berries for the bird. These native bee pollinate more plants vs honey bees. It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish in your design. If you are just looking to help bees planting a native holly tree/shrub vs boxwoods really helps the bees. Most people will not know the difference. |
Anonymous
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They’re not important.
Plant what YOU like. |
Anonymous
| My yard is design for the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is filled with bees, insects and birds of all type during the day and are really fun to watch. The thing people sleep on(lol) are the moths and night time pollinators. They are really cool and there are a lot of them. |
Anonymous
| The local insects will already have a relationship with the local native plants. It can also help support other local wildlife as well, which leds to a healthier ecosystem in general. And helps farmers producing food in the long run. |
Anonymous
I'm sorry, but if you would like to sound ignorant, please exit the conversation. We are having a discussion among adults here. And there is science behind native plants. No one is forcing you. But, don't lie to justify your choices. |
Anonymous
"Let the bees eat cake!" |
Anonymous
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I understand the biodiversity and habitat arguments. I really do.
I also don't want a yard full of bees, and I don't care for the look of native gardens. I want a place for my kids to play and I like to grow vegetables. I am in a constant battle against my neighbors' ivy and creeper, which a yard full of native plants would just make it harder to keep in check. So I get it ... but I don't do it. |