Shift to native garden species

#MiddleburyCT #NativePlants

A Middlebury garden with a blended plant grouping features this native ninebark with deep burgundy leaves beside a non-native but pollinator favorite hydrangea “Quickfire” with Autumn Sedum, all beside a large rock. (Michelle Rowell Finn photo)

By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY

At the recent Middlebury Land Trust Sunflower Days event, several people said they want to shift the plantings at their homes to include more native species. Good news: October is an excellent time for planting as the soil is warmer relative to the air, encouraging strong root growth while the tops of trees and shrubs are scaling back.

While many experts suggest that 70% of the trees, shrubs and other plants in the garden should be natives, that is a tall – maybe unattainable – order for many of us. Michele Rowell Finn is one of the people working towards that goal. But she also is a realist, noting that it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing: “Do what you can, where you can, when you can,” she said.

Her own efforts began when her concern about the bees, birds and planet brought her to realize that “I’m a homeowner, I have a garden, and I can do my part when I make my selections.” Otherwise, the decisions are simply a matter of “I like how that looks.” Planting natives supports the entire ecosystem from bugs (sorry, but they’re essential if we want to have baby birds) to birds, bees, butterflies and all pollinators.

With some research, it really is possible to have it all – color, form and the benefits of a native plant. For example, barberry, a non-native and invasive plant (a terrible combination) is often planted because of its lovely red color each fall. However, a native alternative is ninebark, which has a variety with cranberry-colored leaves, plus flowers in the summer and attractive exfoliating bark in the winter – a multi-season gem.

Another popular but non-native and invasive shrub is burning bush (Euonymus alatus). These major criminals in the invasives lineup are easy to spot now as their leaves turn crimson. If you find them on your property, please rip them out. Many native viburnums with great fall color can replace them, and they produce fragrant flowers in the summer and berries in the fall/winter. If you have the space, and are looking to add a tree, native oaks are unsurpassed. While you may find their acorns annoying, this tree supports 532 butterflies and moths, as well as many mammals and birds.

In my own gardens, I have used Finn’s bit-by-bit approach, adding or already having mountain laurel, oak leaf hydrangeas, ninebark, clethra, monarda, echinacea, serviceberry, coreopsis, asters and more. But following Finn’s words of wisdom, I don’t see it as all-or-nothing. Our beautiful (non-native) rhododendrons are staying; they’ll have to be part of my eventual 30%.

If you’re interested in starting (or continuing) a transition to native plantings to support the entire eco-system, there are many lists and resources available to get ideas. Good websites include: ctaudubon.org (leans to bird-friendly options); gobotany.newenglandwild.org; cipwg.uconn.edu/control-information/ (has lots of information on invasive plant eradication); and an online book about native plants at tinyurl.com/4ec3rhka. You can see a native garden planted by the state at tinyurl.com/22a2zf7b. For a very comprehensive resource on native availability see tinyurl.com/mswtsyev. If you prefer books as a resource, two books by Douglas Tallamy are eye-opening and inspiring, “Bringing Nature Home” and “Nature’s Best Hope.”

Lastly, every time you shop for plants ask, “Is this native to Connecticut/our region?” And if it’s not, see if the seller can suggest something that is. In this area, Earth Tones in Woodbury carries only natives, and can provide landscaping resources as well. As of this writing, Vaszauskas Farm – right here in Middlebury – is developing a section devoted to natives.

If you have feedback or an idea for a future article, contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com. You can visit the Middlebury Land Trust on Facebook or the website, middleburylandtrust.org. Meanwhile, happy hiking!