This
blog post is dedicated to Drs. Eileen and Seamus Metress- my mentors
and friends in Toledo- the people who inspired me, taught me and
continue to motivate me in my personal and academic life.
If
someone showed us a picture of a rose, weeping willow or some mums, it
is very likely that a majority of us would identify these with no
problem. If not by name then at least by recognition from daily life.
Could you identify butterfly weed, cardinal flower, or blue lobelia? Essential native plants are disappearing all over the United States - having devastating consequences for our environment. Not only are do we not realize that this is a growing problem, but also that we have the power to do something about it!
What is a native plant? Essentially, these are plant (flowers, trees, grasses) species that thrived here before the appearance of humans in the region.
These plants have adapted to our soils and our climates. Many
prairie plants are well suited for longer periods of drought and do not
require the attention and labor we typically associate with gardening.
Native plants have extremely deep roots. This feature allows them to be more self-sustaining and self-reliant- giving the gardener peace of mind on those hot summer days. When you first plant native species you should water them. They need to establish these root systems; however, the second or third growing season, you will find yourself watering them less and less. Their deep roots help soak up water deep in the ground and reserve it. A depiction of these extensive root systems can be found here. This feature of native plants contributes to water conservation and erosion prevention.
Native plants have extremely deep roots. This feature allows them to be more self-sustaining and self-reliant- giving the gardener peace of mind on those hot summer days. When you first plant native species you should water them. They need to establish these root systems; however, the second or third growing season, you will find yourself watering them less and less. Their deep roots help soak up water deep in the ground and reserve it. A depiction of these extensive root systems can be found here. This feature of native plants contributes to water conservation and erosion prevention.
Why
should it matter that a plant be native or not? It doesn't matter to
wildlife, right? Pollen is pollen and leaves are leaves. We are taught
to believe this at a young age: all flowers are beneficial and the
wildlife love them because they are tasty and pretty! Not exactly...
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| Black Swallowtail caterpillar in my native garden |
The
truth is, native wildlife co-evolved with the native flora. Many native species do not have an interest in exotic fauna. This leaves their growth unchecked and as result they are able to out-compete the native flora. Butterflies have very specific host plants
required to lay their eggs. They will only leave their eggs on their
designated host plants. This provides a unique and specialized food source for the young caterpillars when they emerge.
Many caterpillars are attracted to dill, fennel and parsley plants. If you want to keep caterpillars out of your vegetable garden but attract butterflies to your flowering garden, try adding a bit of parsley or dill around your flowers. Give them their own supply near the flowers so will be more inclined to stick around- and spare your vegetables.
Many caterpillars are attracted to dill, fennel and parsley plants. If you want to keep caterpillars out of your vegetable garden but attract butterflies to your flowering garden, try adding a bit of parsley or dill around your flowers. Give them their own supply near the flowers so will be more inclined to stick around- and spare your vegetables.
Apart
from the widespread development of urban and residential spaces, exotic
and invasive plant species have displaced natives. We are losing native
land cover at an alarming rate. In Michigan, less than 1 percent of
original prairie and savanna are left standing (from the book Prairies and Savannas in Michigan: Rediscovering Our Natural Heritage).
My love and passion for native prairie plants began in my undergraduate career at the University of Toledo. I was studying anthropology, which has a variety of fields and opportunities. I did not have a clear idea of where I wanted to go in my studies: cultural, business, archaeology, forensics? The list goes on!
One day I went to a presentation by the wife of my professor, a woman that would soon become a very dear friend and mentor to me. She spoke of something I had never heard of before: native plants. I was immediately captivated by the story she told. For weeks I could not stop thinking about this topic.
I saw a problem in our society that every citizen could take part in resolving: restoration through native landscaping. My own campus was overrun with invasives, but it never occurred to me to mind or even ask what kind of trees had been planted. I approached my anthropology club with the idea of creating a native plant garden- the idea was greatly accepted and with the help of Drs. Eileen and Seamus Metress we created a native plant garden on our campus. Although the other students had lost the enthusiasm for maintaining the garden as the days went on, I never did. In the semester to come the space functioned as a living classroom for a variety of courses.
If I had not gone to that presentation I do not know who I would be today, but I probably would not be pursuing a master's degree in Environmental Studies. I thank them for giving my life direction and meaning.
My love and passion for native prairie plants began in my undergraduate career at the University of Toledo. I was studying anthropology, which has a variety of fields and opportunities. I did not have a clear idea of where I wanted to go in my studies: cultural, business, archaeology, forensics? The list goes on!
One day I went to a presentation by the wife of my professor, a woman that would soon become a very dear friend and mentor to me. She spoke of something I had never heard of before: native plants. I was immediately captivated by the story she told. For weeks I could not stop thinking about this topic.
I saw a problem in our society that every citizen could take part in resolving: restoration through native landscaping. My own campus was overrun with invasives, but it never occurred to me to mind or even ask what kind of trees had been planted. I approached my anthropology club with the idea of creating a native plant garden- the idea was greatly accepted and with the help of Drs. Eileen and Seamus Metress we created a native plant garden on our campus. Although the other students had lost the enthusiasm for maintaining the garden as the days went on, I never did. In the semester to come the space functioned as a living classroom for a variety of courses.
If I had not gone to that presentation I do not know who I would be today, but I probably would not be pursuing a master's degree in Environmental Studies. I thank them for giving my life direction and meaning.
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