Page 22 - Green Builder March-April 2016 Issue

Pollinator Plant. Monarda species, commonly known as
beebalm, are easy-to-grow perennials savored by
hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Monarda Raspberry
Wine, pictured here, is native to Eastern North America
but grows well in many regions.

CREDIT: JUSTIN JAMES MUIR

Going Native (and Naturalized)
Plants, shrubs and trees adapted to the region are more likely
to thrive without outside inputs, including irrigation water.
F ROM THE BEGINNING, the Swaffords conceived of their
project as one with ecological landscaping goals. Midway fungi associations, and beneficial insects; planting them creates a
through they decided these goals dovetailed with those self-sustaining positive feedback loop. Native plants can even be
promoted in their region’s Backyard Habitat Program. used to remove contaminants from the soil, a process known as
This voluntary certification program lays out specific phytoremediation.
guidelines for removing invasive species, planting natives,
reducing pesticide use and creating wildlife habitat (see Page 23). It’s still important to choose favorable locations for specific plants;
Native and native-adapted plants generally require little for example, ferns are more shade tolerant. And the soil should be
maintenance once established. Natives resist diseases and are more conditioned, if necessary.
tolerant of droughts, storms and temperature swings. These plants
evolved with specific soil conditions, including pH, bacteria and There’s another important reason to plant natives. According to the
National Park Service, 25 percent of North American native plants
are at risk of extinction. Planting natives adds to the nation’s “genetic
database” and helps creates patches of habitat for wildlife.

20 GREEN BUILDER March/April 2016 www.greenbuildermedia.com