Native Plants – Nature’s Problem Solvers

Pollinator populations are globally in decline. By now, most of us know that native plants provide specialized feeding and breeding sites required for the survival of these tiny beings that we rely on for our food, economy and culture. Planting even a small container of native perennials like milkweed, turtlehead, coneflower or mountain mint can make a difference.

Did you know that native plants can do more than just contribute to the survival of pollinators?

Take erosion, for instance. Erosion is a natural process caused by water, wind and gravity, but it is exacerbated by development, deforestation, climate change, and inappropriate management of stormwater and runoff. If your property is succumbing to erosion, you can use native plants to mitigate the harm and prevent further damage.

Partridgeberry is a creeping, mat-forming ground cover that is effective in controlling erosion on shady, wooded slopes. Native sedges like tussock sedge, plantain-leaved sedge, and Pennsylvania sedge are popular for erosion control and adapt to a variety of sun tolerances and soil types.

Itea, commonly called sweetspire, is a shrub that grows by suckers to form thickets of beautifully colored foliage that bursts into fragrant, four-inch spires of white bloom in late spring. Many native plants form deep underground root systems that retain soil and control erosion while providing bloom, fragrance, color and a home for wildlife.

Feeling the heat from climate change? The effects of climate change are real, exhibited by an overall warming trend, extreme temperature fluctuations, and severe weather events. Locally, the effects of global warming contribute to oak decline, the introduction of new pests and fungal diseases that negatively impact plants, and a shift in our plant hardiness zone from 7b in 2012 to 8a in 2023.

The easiest way to fight climate change is to plant trees! Trees pull carbon from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, cleaning the air while providing the very oxygen we breathe. Plus, planting a diverse selection of native trees can create desirable shade and provide food and shelter for pollinators, birds and wildlife.

Red maples are workhorses for fighting climate change, with large leaves that boost photosynthesis levels and root systems that adapt to various soil conditions. Generally, oaks are host to more caterpillars than any other tree, 532 species to be exact. The stately willow oak is an important species for wildlife food production, and shelters blue jays, red-headed woodpeckers, flickers and other songbirds and raptors, while enhancing the landscape with beautiful fall color. The Eastern red cedar is a gorgeous native evergreen that provides shelter for over 30 native moths and butterflies to complete their breeding and egg-laying cycle.

Native plants can also be used to create an edible landscape, control drainage issues, contribute to soil health, and provide beautiful, beneficial screening.

The team at Himmel’s believes that small efforts can make a big difference in creating a better, healthier and more beautiful world. Contact Himmel’s at 410-255-7730 or elizabeth@himmelsgardencenter.com to find out how you can use native plants to make a difference in your backyard.