"What is a native plant? What is a native plant?! Our native plants grew here prior to European contact. California's native plants evolved here over a very long period, and are the plants which the first Californians knew and depended on for their livelihood. These plants have co-evolved with animals, fungi and microbes, to form a complex network of relationships. They are the foundation of our native ecosystems, or natural communities!" - California Native Plant Society
Native plants aren't everywhere. And ours in California are definitely what makes us distinctly and uniquely beautiful. Native species are what makes us special -- they define the culture of our Native Americans and they define the pride of us on the local land we live on, providing that distinct smell of home sweet home. Yet they're dying out. Native plants are dying out because of the non-native invasive species that take over. We're not saying that those plants are bad things in the world for they're native to other local areas, but perhaps it's time to think about our local pride, our native love.
Why are native plants important? We covered this in a blog post, but we'll also cover it here~ These beautiful plants -- large trees, homely bushes, and stunning wildflowers -- are all worth the double posting. So here they are; native plants...
Native plants are important. Although short term sustainability for your family is important in the family garden you make, native gardens are important in the long term sustainability of the entire world for future decades. It'll never be too late to go native. It'll never be too backwards to go native.
Because natives are the reason why we can go forward.
Why are native plants important? We covered this in a blog post, but we'll also cover it here~ These beautiful plants -- large trees, homely bushes, and stunning wildflowers -- are all worth the double posting. So here they are; native plants...
- Increase biodiversity. And biodiversity is very important. It allows the gene pool to be larger and increases the possibility of finding a cure to currently incurable diseases and problems. With increased biodiversity, there will also be great genetic diversity, allowing more beauty in the world as more individuals live and dazzle the world. Native plants are the cornerstones to allowing native wildlife to live and thus local land to sparkle like individual gems of beauty.
- Prevent invasive species from flourishing. Which is pretty important when you know that invasive species can be troublesome and harmful since they're not natural in the local area. Invasive species may hurt not only the local native plants, but also the animals as well.
- Need low maintenance. AKA low economic costs because native species are already in their native biomes. You won't need to irrigate much fresh water into their systems, use pesticides, or tend the soil because they already adapted to where they are with centuries of evolution within their genes. Also, they will lower greenhouse gas emissions because there will be no need for transportation from foreign countries or lawn maintenance equipment like lawnmowers or fertilizers.
- Preserves native heritage and provides a sense of home. Native plants speak a lot for the community. They are the basis of traditional medicine and rituals for Native Americans who worshiped the land. They symbolize culture and pride upon the land we live on.
- Shelter local native species and attracts wildlife. Native fauna are meant for native flora. They lived together and thus perhaps it makes sense that they wish to die together as well as eternal friends and rivals in the evolution of life. Also, songbirds that migrate love to come back to habitats that haven't changed, which means habitats that are native. Insects are the same.
Native plants are important. Although short term sustainability for your family is important in the family garden you make, native gardens are important in the long term sustainability of the entire world for future decades. It'll never be too late to go native. It'll never be too backwards to go native.
Because natives are the reason why we can go forward.
For more information, visit the California Native Plant Society website (and search on google xD): http://cnps.org/