Recently, I read an article in Fine Gardening Magazine by Susan Morrison that I thought was really clever. The title was “Plant This, Not That“, the idea being that we over-use certain plants just because we’re familiar with them, and that it can be more fun to broaden our horticultural horizons and try something new. (EDIT: Susan recently wrote a new version of her article on her blog, which features a few natives! Yeah!)
Well, I immediately wanted to do a “Plant This, Not That” for California natives! It kills me when I see someone choose some everyday, normal old plant when they could be adding wildlife value and getting a similar color or textural effect in the garden. Not to mention the nod to regional sensibilities inherent in using a native plant!
While this could easily turn into a series, I’m going to just get us started with a few plants, and I hope my fellow bloggers will pick up the torch and do a “Plant This, Not That” for their own regions.
Native buckwheat (left), not non-native yarrow (right):
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While there are many yarrows native to North America, most of the ones available at the garden center aren’t California natives, which means they haven’t developed the relationships with native insects and wildlife that our own native plants have.
And, I actually find our California native buckwheats MORE attractive than the non-native yarrows. Buckwheats come in multiple colors, have a lovely evergreen mat of foliage, and don’t need or want any summer water once established, so they save you some money on your water bill.
Best of all, Peter Haggard, author of Insects of the Pacific Northwest, tells me that his sulfur buckwheat is among the best plants for supporting a wide variety of our native pollinators.
California poppy (left), not calendula (right):
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While calendula’s not a bad plant by any means – it actually feeds a wide range of pollinators as well – our California native poppy adds a delicious glow and a loose, rambunctious habit that is gorgeous in any garden. And, it’s evolved here, so it’s well-suited to our climate and our native insects and wildlife.
For extra bonus points, plant some monkey flowers for a variety of hot colors that will bring all kinds of peaceful native pollinators into your garden.
Spice bush (left), not camellia (right):
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Camellias are like a dead zone for wildlife. I have never seen any happy bugs in them, or birds nesting among their branches. I mean, they’re pretty in their way, but most of them kind of lack character.
Contrast that with the interesting water lily-like blooms of California’s spice bush, and the interesting scent it gives off (similar to a wine barrel), and I know which one’s winning out for best plant. That’s not even getting around to the benefits it has for wildlife, both as food and as a habitat plant!
Commenters and bloggers – I hope you’ll share your own “Plant This, Not That” ideas, and show off some of your favorite native plants for your region! After all, native plants are only as beneficial as they are local, so my selections may not work for you.
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About Genevieve Schmidt
Gen, What a great theme to start, I’ll definitely add my take for Connecticut in November when I post again on the 20th. For now,I’d say I would like to see homeowners in my area move away from using boxwood (Buxus) so much and start using a native alternative like inkberry (Ilex glabra).
Boxwood is prone to winter burn and insect infestations and simply doesn’t look good most of the time. It is often used as a low hedge but it’s rare to see a hedge without at least one of two plants that are not half dead. Homeowners like it because it is evergreen, deer resistant and grows in the shade. Inkberry offers all that and it’s native.
Debbie Roberts recently posted..Planting Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Debbie, I can’t wait to hear your take for Connecticut! Your comparison of boxwood and inkberry makes it sound like a no-brainer to choose inkberry. We just need to help educate people so they understand what they gain when they choose a more suitable native.
Love it Genevieve. I’m definitely going to use this idea in my own blog. As a newbie, I don’t know yet which natives are good alternatives for a lot of the “favorite” landscape plants around here. But I’m anxious to find out. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a handy alternative cross reference. Great job. Thanks.
Hal Mann recently posted..UGH – Lawns
Hal – could I possibly agree more? It would be AMAZING if there was a handy cross-reference for each state. I wonder if the native plant societies would like to work on something that like? It’d be best if resources like that were created on a local level, so as to get the most appropriate choices. Hal, I can’t wait to read your take on the topic!
Hehe. Love the term “dead zone for wildlife.” Never would have thought of subbing Spice Bush for Camellias – what a brilliant idea! I’m also a buckwheat fan, although I find around here (East Bay) they are very intolerant of too much water, particularly overhead spray, so I don’t use them unless everything around them is truly low water.
Susan Morrison recently posted..Book Review: Tomorrow’s Garden
Oh, Susan, yes, this is the failing of buckwheat. Oh woe. Makes it great for parking lots, though!!
Love this and will definitely will carry the theme for an upcoming blog post. I also love the phrase” dead zone for wildlife”.
Donna@ Gardens Eye View recently posted..Memories of Fall Natives
Great idea and I am going to take up your challenge!
I recently posted about using maple-leaved viburnum instead of the boring and invasive burning-bush euonymus on my blog botanicalartstalk.wordpress.com.
I am going champion a few more overlooked natives under the rubric Plant This, Not That: Southern Ontario version. As Arlo Guthrie once said “Friends, it’s a movement, and all you have to do to join in is sing it.”
Trish Murphy recently posted..More watercolours of orchids
Brilliant, Trish! I love that Arlo Guthrie quote. I’d never heard it before but it is wonderfully inspiring!
And may I just say that your botanical art is simply stunning?
I am so glad the native plant movement has such a champion in you.
Genevieve Schmidt recently posted..Evergreen Huckleberry in Oklahoma? Reader Q and A
The Washington Native Plant Society has an extensive web resource for natives that work in our landscapes. See .
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