Reply to Help me understand the importance of native plants

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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

[/quote]

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. [/quote]

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. [/quote]

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