One of the uncomplicated thing a home gardener can do to support a sound , divers ecosystem is to implant aboriginal flora . summate any aboriginal plant life to your garden is undecomposed ; tote up keystone native industrial plant is even ripe ! The destination of this clause is to provide a abbreviated “ primer ” about the importance of native plants — particularly the lynchpin — and to partake some of the splendid resourcefulness useable on this subject .
What is a native plant and why is it important?Native plants are the species that are natural to a local area and ecosystem . aboriginal plants are considerably become to local soil , water , and mood conditions . They have co - evolve with other element of the local ecosystem , and bring home the bacon crucial solid food and shelter for a diversity of wildlife — include the bees , butterflies , and birds we appreciate in our gardens !
Why do we need toplantnatives?In many country , aboriginal plant populations have been dramatically reduced by many agent , including human maturation and the spread of non - native invasive coinage . gardener are boost to plant natives to help repopulate these essential and beautiful plants . And , because native plants have acquire in local conditions , they generally require less water , fertilizer , or pesticides — another ecosystem benefit !
What is a keystone native plant?The term “ lynchpin ” plant life , popularized by notice entomologistDouglas W. Tallamy , refers to the vital piece of a Harlan Fisk Stone arch that holds it together . Without it , the arch collapses . In a standardised way , our food web , without its foundational elements ( many of which are insect ) , will be in peril of collapsing .
The keystone plants are aboriginal works superstars . They provide the highest level of resourcefulness for the species that back the nutrient web . Of extra importance are cat and specialist bees .
Which keystone plants are best for where I live?Keystone plants provide the greatest ecosystem benefit when constitute in their native ranges . For lists of mainstay plants suited to our region , these are first-class resources :
Which native or mainstay plants should I put in my garden?In landscaping , a well - bang shibboleth is “ right plant in the right place . ” In general , it is recommended that you choose plants that bloom at dissimilar times , to cater tax shelter and food – ambrosia , pollen , berry or seeds – for as much of the year as possible . When planting , seek to use groups of three or more of the same species . Grouping plants this waymakes them more attractive and useful to the insect and other pollinator , whowill have an easy time spotting their preferent plants . Assess the conditions of your land site ; the resourcefulness below will serve you blame and place plants correctly .
Is there a simple-minded listing that summarize keystone plant information?As noted above , there are two excellent list for our Piedmont VA area .
Featured Photo : Keystone plant aromatic aster ( Symphyotrichum oblongifolius ) . Photo : Fern Campbell .
Additional Resources:
Books by Dr. Douglas Tallamy :
play Nature home plate : How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens(2009 )
Nature ’s Best Hope : A New Approach to preservation That jump in Your Yard(2020 )
The Nature of Oaks : The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees(2021 )
The Living Landscape : Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden(Rick Darke & Doug Tallamy , 2014 )
Nature ’s Best Hope(Young Readers ’ Edition):How you could Save the World in Your Own Yard(Douglas W. Tallamy & Sarah L. Thomson , 2023 )
