The birds and the bees
In my first Gardening Know How blog post, The Living Garden, I discussed how I came to love native plants.? But when I see?

native bees

butterflies

other pollinators

and native birds

?working and living in my garden, I?m grateful and proud that I rid my personal space of the sterile, water-hogging turf that was once its dominant feature.? I?ve never regretted diversifying my garden by choosing a variety of mostly native plants belonging to my part of the world.? Native flora evolved alongside native fauna and it?s an established biological paradigm that if you plant native bloomers and seed/berry producers, you will provide for an assortment of wildlife.

Our wonderful North American native fauna is in serious trouble as many species are squeezed out of habitat space because their feeding requirements complete with urban and agricultural needs. As natural habitat is destroyed, it?s imperative that home gardeners plant to support the survival of local wildlife by choosing native shade trees and smaller understory trees and shrubs, planting native perennials, annuals, and groundcovers, all of which provide food and shelter for endemic wildlife. When a gardener selects native plants in lieu of a mono-culture turf or non-native/ exotic plants, the positive environmental impact is huge. Native wildlife is biologically synchronized with native food and shelter sources, and native plants fit in the environment with ease?because they belong!

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