Page 24 - Free State Winter 2021

IT’S TIME FOR SHARING (Continued)

More and more customers,

from individual homeowners to

landscaping companies to property

management teams, are looking for

native plants for their landscaping

projects.

Viburnum dentatum is a good example. The native
version is very similar to the improved cultivar V. d. ‘Blue
Muffin’ chosen for its compact habit and deep blue
fall fruit. The improved plant will grow to 5-7’ while the
native will grow to 10’ with all other attributes being
about the same. This gives the end user the advantage
of a more controlled habit requiring less pruning if the
smaller plant is desired.

Varieties
Cornus kousa var. chinensis
A variety is a group of plants within a species that has one flowering plants almost always come in a wider array
or more distinguishing characteristics. Here’s a simple way of colors, allowing the designer to use the same plant
to look at it. The cultivar is a variety that is produced and on a given site, but with a bit of drama in the change
maintained by horticulturists. A variety is a plant identical of color. If you’ve seen the explosion of color choices
to others of the same name but differs in one or more with hydrangea and hibiscus in the past few years, you
attributes that evolved naturally. For instance, you are no know what I’m talking about.
doubt familiar with the Cornus kousa variety chinensis, or
Chinese dogwood, which of course is only native if you are Most hybridized plants are cultivated to “improve the
living in parts of eastern Asia. appearance of the plant.” This would include attributes
like stronger stems, more robust or uniform flower, etc.
Does the Difference Matter?
But at least of equal importance are the enhancements
I hope you will not be shocked to learn that it depends that mean cultivars are more hardy, with increased
on what you and your clients are looking for. There disease and pest resistance.
are definitely some differences you should be aware of By now you’re thinking, “Cultivated natives are
as you plan landscape designs and sell to customers. awesome! What’s the debate?” Here’s where I launch
Natives may be less refined than the cultivated versions. into a series of important caveats. This first one is a big
That’s a big reason why the cultivars exist. Cultivars deal. There is some question as to the attractiveness
are more predictable. That predictability means they of the plants to pollinators when it comes to cultivated
are more easily incorporated into today’s increasingly natives versus natives. Will the cultivated version
compact landscapes.
of a native provide nectar for an equal number of
Cultivated natives also offer more choice. So cultivars of pollinators, for example? Will it fulfill the same function

24 WINTER 2021 • Free State News