Native plants are unsung heroes, providing support to an entire ecosystem. They have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in specific regions and they provide essential habitat and food for wildlife such as insects, birds and mammals. They are an important component in creating a harmoniously balanced and biodiverse ecosystem. Biodiversity is crucial to a resilient ecosystem, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing urbanization. Urbanization and loss of habitat have reduced the natural areas available to support wildlife.
Non-native plants and lawns do not support native insects and pollinators to the same extent. Native insects have no evolutionary history with non-native plants and often they don’t have the ability to overcome the toxins those plants produce to deter predation. Lawns offer little food for native pollinators and yet they comprise the majority of the landscaping around our homes.
25% of our native bee species need pollen from a small group of native plants in order to thrive. Many studies have found caterpillar numbers are greater on native plants, thus supporting a stronger ecosystem. In our videos section, check out Doug Tallamy’s talk on the importance of native plants in supporting biodiversity. He is a wonderful speaker and it’s an eye-opening video.
Native plants are adapted to local climate and soil conditions and their deep root systems require less water and prevent soil erosion. These root systems enhance the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients, which benefits all plants in the garden and helps to promote sustainable landscaping practices. By choosing native plants we can help to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our world for the future.
Make a difference and include native plants in your garden. Even a small native plant garden can help support nearby birds and pollinators. Each time we replace lawn with a native plant garden, we give a boost to biodiversity in our yards and neighbourhoods.
