Benefits of a Native Planting | Biodiversity Attracts

Planting native can seem like a daunting process. Not only are there a plethora of species to choose from, but each requires specific growth conditions (soil type, light availability, environmental conditions) from your yard.  

Luckily, there are numerous sources to help you in your venture.

The benefits of a native planting go both ways in helping humans and local ecosystems.

For humans, the benefits are:

·         Different flowers will bloom at different times of the year with vibrant colors (aesthetic)

·         Low maintenance once established

·         Drought-resistant = less requirements on water

·         Helps in water quality and prevents unwanted run-off

·         Creates nutrient-rich soil for planting crops

Benefits for Ecosystems:

·         Generate a healthy environment for Decomposers à Insects à Pollinators à Birds…

·         Provides habitat (shelter, food, breeding)

·         Creates a healthy soil biome for microbes and fungi

Any Space is Good Space

Any space you can plant native – even if small – is positive space for pollinators.

Why is this important?

Dr. Harland Patch (a research scientist in Penn State University's Department of Entomology): “As a group, native plants have evolved with native pollinators. Non-natives don't produce the same signals that are attractive to pollinators."

If a yard is filled with non-natives, pollinators may have to travel great distances before they’re able to find what they’re looking for. Planting native in your yard provides a place of refuge. If your neighbor and their neighbor plant native, an entire ecosystem begins to form right in your neighborhood.

Plant Diversity Brings Unique Visitors

As an owner of a prairie garden myself, I’m always checking to see if there’s anything new I haven’t seen yet. This could be a plant that’s just begun flowering, a plant I haven’t seen yet altogether, or an insect/pollinator/amphibian/bird that came to visit.

The other day, a Nessus Sphinx Moth (Amphion floridensis) flew into my prairie to enjoy the plentiful Monarda dispersed between the bottlebrush, maximillion, coreopsis, boneset, spiderwort, silphiums, little blue, verbena, side-oats, milkweed, etc.

What’s so special about the Nessus Sphinx Moth?

The Nessus is a specialized pollinator. They encompass a large tongue allowing them to pollinate specific flowers other pollinators are unable to get to. Therefore, sphinx moths become an important species to provide habitat for.

Monarda – the plant the Nessus is attracted to – is a species of mint and a fairly common, easy plant to establish within a native prairie.

The relationship of Monarda to the Nessus is one example of many that exemplify the importance between a diverse native planting and the pollinators that are attracted to them. There are plenty more examples out there displaying this relationship between plant and pollinator.  

If you’re thinking of planting a native garden, or have any questions regarding requirements for your yard, send me a message!