Frequently asked questions
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Why should we garden with native plants?
Native plants are beneficial to local ecosystems from roots to flowers. Many native plants have deep roots that are better than turf grass at capturing rain, thus preventing erosion, as well as capturing carbon. They are also better evolved than non-natives in terms of climate, and therefore often need less water than non-natives. Also, they attract native and other pollinators, which pollinate 1/3 of the food we eat and contribute to the whole ecosystem of which we are a part.
Won't bees and wasps sting me?
Most bees, wasps, and other pollinators are simply trying to find food, and in doing so, pollinate native and other plants. Some insects, if you appear to be threatening them, may sting, but generally, if you leave most insects alone they will grant you the same courtesy. Most of the pollinators found in Pollinator Paradise are gentle and non-aggressive.
I thought that honeybees were the only pollinators - there are others?
Pollinator Paradise attracts honeybees - but they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pollinators. Honeybees are native to Europe, not the United States, and are agricultural insects (not entirely unlike livestock, in the sense that they are kept). Most of what Pollinator Paradise plants attract are native pollinators - bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, and other insects.
Not trying to offend, but Pollinator Paradise looks a little messy for a garden. Why is that?
The so-called "modern American lawn" as we understand it, including the vast amounts of grass regularly mowed, adds up to be the biggest irrigated "crop" grown in the United States. This monoculture consumes nearly three trillion gallons of water, 200 million gallons of gas (in mowing), and 70 million pounds of pesticides. Our prairie area, intentionally planted with native plant and garden expert help, adopts an aesthetic that gives pollinators and other wildlife a habitat that allows them to truly flourish in the midst of Rock Hill without needing to worry about excessive mowing, spraying, or other maintenance. Our small prairie provides visibility for this aesthetic and helps the community learn about native plants' importance in our suburban area. The smaller gardens nearest Givens Elementary offer a somewhat more polished-looking area for those seeking ideas on incorporating them into residential landscapes.
I would like to know more about the plants in the gardens and prairie.
We have intentionally planted a great variety of hardy plants that are native to the St. Louis, MO area. Take a look at what is planted and why here on our Plants page.