Let’s Get Planting! But read this first: Native plants are important
By Shannon Bone New Leaf Paper Director, Sustainable Partnerships
People everywhere are thinking spring. Home-improvement stores are setting up their nursery areas, creating outdoor spaces, and department stores are touting short-sleeve tops and open-toed shoes. It’s the time of year when everyone seems to be ready to roll up their sleeves and pull on some gardening gloves, prepared to spruce up their outdoor spaces as soon as more than one robin is seen.
But enemies to spring planting exist. They’re more dangerous than late-season snowstorms—non-native and invasive species do a great deal of harm to the environment every year and contribute to the breakdown of habitats and ecosystems.
Non-native and/or invasive species—in our case plants—are any species of plant that is not native to your particular geographic location. They’re dangerous because when they’re allowed to proliferate, they can do many damaging things to the local and natural habitats, including:
Harming or destroying the “food chain.” Local insects and animals—especially birds—rely on native plants for food. When non-native plants are introduced, great harm can occur to those insects and animals, causing them to starve or introduce diseases to their species, disturbing the food chain and, in extreme cases, leading to a disappearance of a species from an area or even the planet.
Invasive plants can take over native plants, disturbing things like air and soil quality as the non-native species take over and introduce blights, literally “root out” native trees and plants and further disrupt nature’s rhythms.
Non-native plants and trees often need more upkeep than native species, requiring more water use and more fertilizer use. Both of these things have adverse effects on the environment and climate change.
What can you do?
Research! Before purchasing plants, grasses, or trees, be sure to research plants that are native to your area. Many retailers sell plants that are not native to the regions in which they are sold. Be informed.
Shop local! Local, independent nurseries often are experts in local ecology and native species. They will help you make your outdoor space a special place without harming the ecosystem.
For more information, visit our New Leaf Paper’s blog section for helpful links!