Episode 97: Native Alternatives to Common Plants

Here at Let’s Argue About Plants we’re big fans of native plants. Our gardens are filled with them and for good reason: native plants are essential to the preservation and health of the local ecology.
See the show notes: www.finegardening.com/article...
Follow us on social media for more garden inspiration:
Facebook: / finegardening
Instagram: / finegardening
Pinterest: / finegardening

[@ToxickArt]

Anyother alt for burning bush is high bush blueberry. Yum!

[@caseycampbell8508]

How does a person source these native plants ?

[@ToxickArt]

Local nurseries. Some focus more on natives plants.

[@staceygianoplos6381]

All the discussion of native CULTIVARS is unfortunate. Scientists now know that pollinators often do not respond the same to a cultivar, particularly ìf there are changes to foliage color or blossoms.

[@lindaannb]

I love the emphasis on native alternatives and the great information you shared.
However……I miss Steve’s dry humor and wit. 😢 The banter was entertaining. I’m wondering if the name of the podcast really fits anymore.

[@trumpetingangel]

If we are going to replace invasive with natives, why not use natives? There is a little research that indicates that cultivars or nativars may or may not provide the same service to the environment as the actual native.

[@FinegardeningMag]

You're certainly not wrong, but there is also a school of thought that suggests some of our native plants will not make it through climate change, so finding cultivars that work similarly is in fact imperative to maintaining the species. I believe alot will be learned in the next few years with regard to this debate. Thanks for your comment!

[@emiliebova]

⁠​⁠@@FinegardeningMagdefinitely should use natives that can survive a zone below. Many natives survive temperatures a wide range of zones. Don’t use cultivars.