When choosing plants for your yard or garden, Delaware Nature Society points out that choosing plants native to the area is critical. Native plants help restore natural food webs by restocking gardens with the specific plants native wildlife need for feeding and breeding. In addition, native insects are unable to feed on European or Asian plants typically sold in big box garden centers.
“You will attract more butterflies, bees and other insects with native plants so when you see an increase in those, you know you are making a difference,” Ian Smith of DNS wrote in a recent blog. “Gardening is excellent for your health as digging, raking and weeding gives you a modest workout. It is also good for your mental health as it has been proven that gardening reduces stress.”
Smith explains that it is easy to find native plants by simply going to a local nursery and talking to them about plants that are found in the local area. Plants like pink pinxter blooms or flowering dogwoods are great choices to bring color to a garden. In addition, many flowering plants bring up happy memories of loved ones, because of the color, the flower or just someone’s favorite.
Another option is to talk to professional gardeners at Delaware Nature Society, Gateway Gardens, Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine Conservancy or Mt. Cuba Center. Local garden centers like Sullivan’s, Eastern Ornamentals, Bella Terra Landscaping, Overgrown or Pepper Greenhouses can help you choose native plants for your garden.
“Some suggestions include black-eyed Susan, golden ragwort and purple cornflower,” Smith said. “If you are a beginner gardener, choose low-maintenance shrubs and trees like azaleas, oakleaf hydrangea, eastern redbud and dogwoods. If you want something that will bloom every year, choose perennials.”
Another idea is to use the empty pots after you plant in your garden to toss a few wildflower seeds in. Place them in the corner of your porch, deck or in your yard to create a place where a butterfly could nest, or a bee could gather pollen. If you don’t have room for a garden, consider pots on a porch or a deck.
“Our time management guru Oliver Burkeman wants to remind you that accept that your garden may never be perfect and that will free you from the stress of trying to achieve perfection,” Smith said. “There will always be weeds to pull or invasive plants to control. You will never have enough time, money or space to grow all the flowers, shrubs and trees you would like.”
To learn more about native plants, visit the Delaware Nature Center website.
