Native plants! Why are they a good idea in our garden?

I've been wanting to write about our beautiful native plants here in south Louisiana. I thought I'd showcase one or two a week and really dive into their characteristics and quality to the landscape. Using a native versus an adaptive plant has some advantages to your garden. You don't have to plant a yard full of only natives to get the benefits neither. I've also heard some myths I'd like to expunge too. Lets get started:

ADVANTAGES

(1) Using a native plant can provide food and restore habitat for our native wildlife.

Even if it's a small area of your garden - it is significant!

(2) Our native plantings gives your garden a sense of place. They tie your landscape to our culture which is very distinctive from other parts of the world. Geaux Louisiana!!

(3) Natives have been well adapted to our climate and rainfall for ages.

(4) Common pests are usually tolerated and not detrimental to the plant.

MYTHS

(1) "It's a native, it'll grow anywhere in my yard" - ummm, no! It still has specific light, water and temperature preferences and some can be quite finicky if these conditions aren't met. If you don't believe me try to grow a dogwood tree without meeting every one of their preferred conditions. Let me save you the heartache, it will die!

(2) "Native plants are lower maintenance" Not always, but planting them in the ideal place in your yard can make a substantial difference in the amount of care and attention needed.

(3) "Native plants never get diseases or insects" - FALSE but they can usually recover from these when they do occur.

If I've convinced you to try to add some native plantings into your garden, check back with me as I showcase a plant a week and really immerse ourselves into their traits, attributes and qualities that make them so valuable to our gardens. Hope to see you soon!!

Rhododendron canescens

Liquidambar styraciflua - American Sweet Gum