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[quote=Anonymous][quote=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 ?[/quote]

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. [/quote]

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