Page 5 - Spring Catalog 2022 Final

introduced to Cape Cod in the 1800s Bird feeders do not support fledgling babies in the
Bee Balm
have adapted over time and now nests—birds feed caterpillars to their young—and this
plague our environment. But what is act is critical to the birds’ survival. Natives will Things we can do:
undeniably true is the inability of an provide a habitat for these butterfly and insect larvae!
alien to contribute to the health of our
fragile ecosystem. Plants and animals Importing alien plants often brings with them Cut back on grass. Reducing our lawns creates
have evolved in a complex system of insects and fungus negatively affecting our native opportunities to plant more supportive plant material
symbiotic partnerships over millions species. Example: Japanese beetle and and reduces the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer.
of years. Natives are the natural dogwood anthracnose. Consider letting part of your lawn go to seed or replace
preferences of insects and birds for
their young. Attracting butterflies is fun, but without with natives. This will support birds and provide refuge
milkweeds in the landscape, monarchs will disappear. for small animals.
Global studies have revealed that certain There are several species of this wildflower native to
animal and plant species are vital to the Massachusetts including the Common Milkweed, Remove wild invasive species that push out
health of local ecosystems. These are Fourleaf Milkweed, Purple Milkweed and more. natives. Example: bittersweet and autumn olive.
called Keystone species. A good
example of a Keystone species on the All is not lost, there is much we can do! I have over time Increase your tolerance for insect populations within
Cape would be our Oak trees. On page included natives within my gardens. They bring added your garden space, much of what exists may be beneficial!
148 of Bringing Nature Home, “The value in their low maintenance, fragrance and beauty
value of Oaks for supporting wildlife too. I have learned how important my property has Reconsider cutting down a native Oak tree in your yard.
cannot be overstated.” Oaks offer food become in the support of migrating insects and birds. I
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for animals, nesting sites for many encourage everyone to join the interconnectedness of all Join a local conservation organization we are lucky to
species of birds and host to many moth our gardens as we move to a more ecologically balanced have many on Cape Cod:
Why Natives and butterfly species. and healthy Cape Cod! The Association to Preserve Cape Cod

Bayberry The Cape Cod Conservation District
Garden Coach “A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc.
Your town may have an organization of its own!
Priscilla
in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without
human introduction.” -Douglas Tallamy Natives in the news: The US Senate has declared April,
Bringing Nature Home 2022 as the inaugural National Native Plant month!

As I inspect my gardens for signs of pollinate our gardens. Habitat and native Echinacea Come into Agway and ask for Milkweed
winter damage, I take comfort in species loss has created a deficit in food
knowing that I rarely have to worry about and shelter for our butterflies and bird varieties, they are plentiful!
the natives I have worked to incorporate. populations. This transformation of
They are where Mother Nature intended land has also created large reductions in Additional Natives We Carry
them to be so they can usually take care reptiles, amphibians, and insects. The
of themselves. question, Why Plant Natives? Has Shrubs: Northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)
many answers. “
Most of us would be surprised to Native plants have formed Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
discover that our properties are planted Natives are host plants to our wildlife. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
with aliens. In the postwar expansion In the book Bringing Nature Home, symbiotic relationships with Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum-highbush
into suburbs, Americans moved into author Douglas Tallamy describes the native wildlife over thousands and Vaccinium angustifolium-lowbush)
houses with land ripe for growing importance of the relationship between Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
gardens. Along with the microwave insects and natives. “A plant that has fed of years, and therefore offer the Sweet Pepper Bush (Clethra alnifolia)
and two car garage came a fascination nothing has not done its job.” A garden most sustainable habitat.” Grasses: Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
with new and exotic plant species from with natives is a garden operating in Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
around the world. Large tracts of balance within an ecosystem. Once we
“original” places became communities become aware of this beautiful Switch grasses (Panicum virgatum)
of foreign shrubs and trees. interaction, we come to see that most Perennials: Bee balm (Monarda)
insects are not our enemy. What we Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Over time we have come to believe that plant should be essential to the Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
our alien plantings are what belong here, biodiversity of animal habitats here
unaware of the wholesale replacement on the Cape and elsewhere.
of native species. But these alien plant
species are not the preferred food of What is defined as native can be Phlox
insect populations required to controversial. Plants that were
of Cape Cod