“A plant that has fed nothing has not done its job.”

-D.W. Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home

This past September I had an opportunity to volunteer at the California Native Plant Society’s fall sale in Sacramento. Having arrived early to help set up, I felt that the plethora of volunteers made my presence unnecessary….until the sale began. The flood gates opened and customers came surging in, washing away almost the entire stock of plants in a matter of hours!

The surprising success that day reflected a growing awareness of our ecological impact and a desire for change, starting with the home landscape. I hesitate to call it a “trend”, which implies an ephemeral whim of fancy. Rather, the movement toward sustainable landscaping is based on sound scientific evidence and an obvious need to alter our relationship with nature.

As we continue to deepen our understanding of ecosystems and their fragility, it becomes apparent that our gardens filled with alien plants serve form, but not function. Yes, that privet can be kept in a 3’ x 3’ meatball-shape all year (form), but what does that do for wildlife (function)? Not a whole lot, and here is why:

1. Alien plants are not palatable to native insects. This is a function of evolution; insects co-evolved with native plants and developed ways of digesting them via enzymes or helpful bacteria living in their guts. Alien plants touted as being pest-free are as useful to insects as patio furniture (i.e. not at all). This may sound like a good thing to those who “hate bugs”, but it leads me to my next point…

2. Insects are essential to our survival. Insects can live without humans, but we wouldn’t last long without them. While pesticide manufacturers benefit from the ideal of a bug-free garden, it is far from healthy for anyone. Whether insects break down organic matter to be recycled into new life, or prey on other insects to keep populations in balance, we need them. Period.

3. Birds need insects. Birds can eat berries of some alien plants, but insects are an important part of their diet as well. As natural habitats have given way to agriculture, suburbs, and shopping malls, birds have become more dependent on the home gardener. A garden filled with alien plants cannot feed enough insects to support insectivorous birds, whereas native plants can create a veritable buffet, not to mention good habitat for nesting and berries for additional forage.

4. Butterflies and moths are host specific. Caterpillars are the most particular about their food. The plight of the monarch has been traced, in part, to the disappearance of milkweed (Asclepias spp), the caterpillar’s host plant. Almost everyone has a soft spot for butterfies and their graceful beauty. A butterfly garden can be a great starting starting point for the amateur native plant enthusiast, especially children.

My experience at the plant sale showed that people do care; not only that, they want to take action. Although native plant gardening has not yet taken off in San Joaquin County, there are great resources out there from organizations who are way ahead of us, providing support and leading the way forward:

California Native Plant Society, Sacramento chapter

www.sacvalleycnps.org

Las Pilitas Nursery

www.laspilitas.com

Theodore Payne Foundation

theodorepayne.org

Xerces Society: California region

www.xerces.org/pollinators-california-region

If you have a gardening related question you can contact the UC Master Gardeners at 209-953-6112. More information can be found on our website.