Eco-change and why it matters

Education, research and news...

Just like smoking was common in office buildings and trains in the 1980’s, things that were once acceptable are not.

Example: Butterfly Bush, English Ivy, Heavenly Bamboo, Bradford Pear, Hosta, Day Lilly, Burning Bush, Crape Myrtle

These were all highly regarded in the landscape industry as being the best for maintenance and easy beauty. These have spread well beyond your home and into our forests. They wreak havoc on our soils, tamping out native plants and not allowing insects and birds safe places for their lifecycle to continue.

What are some guiding choices that will help me choose right for the long term?

What we have learned is that plants indigenous to this region and slightly outside (specifically south-east as our daily temperatures are rising every year) are always the right choice.

We have also learned that while a cultivar of a native is attractive to the human eye, it might not offer the same requirements as the straight species.

Plants should NOT be injected/treated with NEONICOTINOIDS - surprisingly even if you have a great plant it will kill the bugs/birds you are trying to host. Recommend asking or buying from a reputable dealer

Lastly, we have come to recognize that the non-native invasives will not go away unless we do the right thing and stop purchasing them.

Invasive Non-Native

Native Replacement Options

Crape Myrtle

Touted for it's burst of flowers in late summer, it's interesting bark and contained height.

Amalanchier (Serviceberry)

Bursts of white flowers arranged in clusters produce an airy, ethereal effect. The leaves are preferred larval food for numerous butterflies (tiger swallowtails, viceroys, white admirals and red-spotted purples); vibrant autumn colors from golden yellow, to orange to brilliant reds

Burning Bush

This shrub's biggest draw is its firey red fall leaves. Birds are attracted to its seed and spread it freely.

Fothergilla

This fabulous foundation or pollinator garden plant attracts pollinators to this honey-scented spring show stopper.

The blue-green leathery leaves turn to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows providing knock out color in the fall landscape.

Day Lily

Long blooming summer repeaters.

Wild Bergamot

Bergamot is highly adaptable native plant that thrives in all but the wettest soils. The lavender flowers offer a popular nectar source for pollinators. Blooms last July-September.

Other simple exchanges..

PLANT an American Smoke Tree NOT a Crape Myrtle

Cotinus obovatas - This fast growing large shrub / small tree offers plumes of fuzzy flowers in the spring and a dramatic fall foliage. As it ages it too has an interesting shredded bark. It does best in dry conditions (no standing water) and full sun!)

PLANT an American Linden NOT a Bradford/Callery Pear

Tilia americana - Amazingly similar in shape and habit, the American Linden has clusters of small, fragrant, pale yellow flowers. The leaf shape is heart-shaped leaves which are coarse-toothed, dark green above and paler green below.

PLANT Goldenstar NOT English Ivy

Chrysogonum virginianum - Low growing native perennial with starry golden daisy-like flowers. This diminutive beauty has pubescent oval shaped gray-green or medium green leaves. Blooms are borne in great numbers in late spring and sporadically after. Plants thrive in moist well drained soils in part sun or part shade. This is a great native groundcover with semi-evergreen foliage and a long blooming period.