Native Plant Myths and Misconceptions

Native plants are having a moment. Newspapers and magazines are featuring them, TV shows mention them, and nurseries and plant sales are starting to carry them. However, along with their new found popularity, there are a lot of myths about them that are circulating. Here are a few of the most frequent myths we hear.

A Native Garden Is All Cactus Or Brush

When water-wise gardening first started, succulents were talked about because some can go a long time without water. People started ripping their yards out and replacing them with rocks and a few cacti. Frankly, these yards looked terrible. Fortunately, they didn't last long because the succulents got root rot from the amount of rain they got and died.

The lesson to learn is that water-wise gardening means using plants native to the area, not just native to the United States. If you plant desert plants in a lush landscape, they can't handle the extra water they are not used to. You need to consult with your Extension agent to find out what grows best in your area. After you have a list, consult the Garden Plant Nursery website to view pictures of the plants and pick the ones you want.

Native Plants Don't Need Watering

All plants, including natives, need watering every day the first two weeks after they are transplanted. You should then gradually switch to watering once a week for the entire first year after planting. At this point, you can gradually lengthen the time between waterings until you don't water them. If you are in a drought, you will have to water the plants occasionally until the rains come back.

Native Plants Will Take Over

If you have ever planted mint in a flower bed and watched as it choked out everything else in the bed, you may be afraid native plants will do the same. Actually, native plants are less likely to spread uncontrollably. They have insects and other animals that will work to keep the plants in check. They also may have diseases local to the area that limit their propagation.

Native Plants Bring Bad Bugs

There are more insect species than there are people on earth. Many of them live in dense jungles and forests, so haven't been discovered yet. Scientist know they exist because they find bug parts in the stomachs of animals that dies from something else. It is estimated that 98% of insects are beneficial or neutral. That leaves just a few "bad" bugs.

Even bugs we don't like serve a purpose in the landscape. These bugs draw birds hunting them for food for themselves and their babies. They draw animals of all sorts and sizes who eat the bugs. Part of the reason the beneficial bugs are in trouble is because there is not enough food for them, which is often other bugs. Most native plants have defenses against bugs and the bugs don't do much damage to them.

Native Plants Fit Anywhere In The Landscape

Some people may not realize that native plants have niches they grow best in, just like non-native ornamental plants. For example, cattails are native to a wide range of places. However, they grow on the edges of water. Plant them anywhere else and they won't grow well. The good news is that there are native plants for most niches in your landscape.

I Can Only Grow Native Plants

While we recommend planting native shrubs because it is better for the animals and birds in your area, this isn't all or nothing. Even replacing one non-native plant with a native plant is a start. As you have non-native plants die, you can replace them with native plants - or not, if you prefer something else.

Is It Native?

Many people are not aware of the wide variety of native plants. You can find out if a plant is native to your area by consulting the USDA Plants Database at https://plants.usda.gov/home. This database lists all the native plants in the US and where they grow naturally.

Native Plant Examples

Here are a couple of examples of native plants and their characteristics.

Baneberry

Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) grows in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. It is often called "doll eyes" because the white berries have a black spot on them and resemble a doll's eye. This perennial grows in deciduous forests. The flowers are usually white and after they bloom, the stalks they grow on turn red. Bees and pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Birds and small mammals eat the berries. However, all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans, cats, dogs, and horses. Baneberry is resistant to deer and rabbits.

Baneberry grows up to 3 feet high and spreads the same. Plant it where it will get dappled sunlight. Too much sunlight will make the leaves turn yellow. The leaves turn yellow in the fall before they drop. The berries stay on until a frost occurs.

Burning Bush

Burning bush is a tall shrub or small tree that grows in deciduous forests. It likes dappled shade or part shade, but will also grow in full sun. The bush will grow up to 25 feet and spread about the same. It is often shorter, however. The purple flowers are succeeded by four-lobed seed capsules. These split open to reveal red, fleshy fruit.

Birds eat the seeds. The leaves are green until fall when they turn yellow or red. The small stems start out lime green. As they grow, a stripe of gray appears. Eventually, all the bark is gray.

Burning bush can be used as a hedge or screen. Pollinators are drawn to the flowers. The entire bush is toxic to people and pets. Plant burning bush in moist, well-drained soil. You may need to protect the sapling from deer and rabbits if they are a problem in your area.

Let Us Help

The staff at Garden Plant Nursery really know their plants. They can help you determine what is native in your area that will fit in your space. Simply call 931.692.7325 for help and to order your next plants.