Wildlife Photograph

The Importance of Native Plants

Monday October 02, 2006
Ijams' Fall Native Plant Sale and Garden Festival is on Sunday, October 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Read this article to learn why using native plants in your garden is so important.

    An alarming trend is being observed as more development occurs in East Tennessee.  Endemic plants are being replaced with lawns and gardens, comprised primarily of non-native species. This urbanization of farmland and woodlands is occurring with significant costs to the ecosystem. These non-native plants are high-maintenance and usually require substantial support systems to keep them alive. These support systems, in the form of fertilizers, pesticides and large additions of water, place considerable strain on the environment. We can avoid these problems entirely if we adopt native plants into our landscaping.
    Native plants have evolved in a particular region over many thousands of years. Therefore, they have adapted to the climate, geography and animal populations of the region. Native plants provide habitat to and are a source of food for animals, such as birds, butterflies and mammals.
    Native landscaping is an effort to re-establish native plant populations to a certain area, whether it is as small as your backyard or as large as a nature trail or park. Some benefits of planting native plants include the following.
Native plants save energy and reduce pollution
Native plants require minimal fertilizer or irrigation and they attract beneficial insects that prey upon pests and eliminate the need for pesticides. Native plants reduce air pollution, improve water quality and reduce soil erosion. Native vegetation, unlike cultivated landscapes, does not require the use of lawn maintenance equipment (a major contributor to air pollution and a source of climate change gases). They improve water quality by filtering contaminated runoff and reduce soil erosion by stabilizing soils with their deep root systems.
Native plants help the animals
    Native plants provide shelter and food to birds, butterflies and other wildlife, promoting biodiversity. In contrast, mowed lawns are of little use to most wildlife. Because many animal habitats today are being lost to urban development, consciously creating or maintaining a habitat full of native plants can be of great help and relief to animals looking for a home.
Diverse Ecosystems
    There are a number of different ecosystems throughout East                 Tennessee. Your surrounding ecosystem will determine what species you select for your property. For example, open grassland, woodlands, wetlands and upland bluffs each have their own communities of plants that are native to those particular ecosystems. Each species has its own ecological requirements, whether it’s the need for shade, sun, high moisture, a specific soil type or topography. Do some basic research to find out what is appropriate for your specific area or hire a knowledgeable landscape company that is familiar with using native plants.  Ijams Nature Center and other conservation organizations are an information resource as well.

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