Naturalizing
Your Property
With Native Plants
September 16, 2020
Marc Radell
Master Gardener Emeritus
Presentation, Links, and PDFs
www.marcmradell.com
Backstory
•Childhood: rural Michigan •1998: 1950s home in MontCo •‘Fine Gardening’ phase •“Where’s the wildlife???” •Added native plants •Naturalized landscaping:
water features, meadows, woodland areas, rock garden, shrublands
“Aesthetically Pleasing Habitat Restoration”
A new measure of gardening success: species
abundance and diversity
▪
Birds – 137 species
▪
Butterflies – 48 species
▪
Mammals – 22 species
▪
Reptiles/amphibians – 14 species
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Eastern Painted Turtle Eastern
Chipmunk American
Agenda
▪
The Importance of
Native Plants
▪
Principles of
Naturalized Landscaping
▪
Gardening Specifics
The Importance of Native Plants
Polyphemus Moth caterpillar on Carolina Silverbell
▪
Found in a given area prior to human
intervention (in U.S.: pre-Columbian)
▪
Regional geography drives plant population
▪
USDA Plants Database
▪
BONAP North American Plant Atlas
What is a Native Plant?
•
Precipitation
•
Temperature (averages
and extremes)
•
Length of growing season
•
Length of day
•
Other organisms that
plants interact with
“Pennsylvania Piedmont”MontCo falls within theNative Plants & Ecosystem Cycles
• Both native & non-native plants cycle energy, nutrients, etc.
• Native plants more effective because they evolved with specific soil,
Native Plants & Wildlife
• Plants, animals, and other organisms co-evolved within defined geographic areas
• Intricate web of interactions at family, genus, and species levels
• Plants provide animals with O2 , food (every single plant part), shelter, water
• Animals provide plants with CO2 , fertilizer, pollination services, seed dispersal
• In general, plants and animals have adapted to specific benefits interchanged (ex: nutrients)
• True mutualism: obligate relationship where both species benefit, e.g., plants and mycorrhizal fungi Ash, Laurel, Virginia Creeper, and Trumpet Vine
Sphinx Moth caterpillars
Evolution and Geologic Time
Native Plants & Biodiversity
Each and every species is unique, has intrinsic value, and contributes to the ecosystem in special ways. Each lost species represents a crack in Life on Planet Earth.
Native Plants Are in Peril
▪
Development – habitat loss and fragmentation
▪
Herbicides – direct and indirect effects
▪
Pesticides – reduced pollination and other interactions
▪
Invasive plants, pests, and diseases – no evolved defenses
▪
Climate change – direct effects and effects to partner organisms
▪
More than 37% of “wild” plant species in Pennsylvania are
non-native
▪
Any decrease in population of a native plant species increases
chance of extinction – every native plant counts!
Our yards are the
environment.
!
▪
Less expense! Native plants, adapted to local conditions, don’t
need soil amendments or fertilizer (right plant, right place)
▪
Less maintenance! Natives plants are suited to informal design
and less susceptible to native pests and diseases
▪
No new pests! Most noxious weeds, pests, and diseases came
to US via non-native plant materials. Don’t encourage more
▪
Protect the natural world around you! Invasive non-native
plants displace native plants and disrupt ecosystems
▪
Support your community! Many native plant nurseries are
small businesses
Principles of Naturalized Landscaping
Common Buckeye on Narrowleaf Mountainmint, with Wild
Bergamot
Naturalized Landscaping
▪
My definition: Aesthetically pleasing ecosystem
restoration
▪
Purpose: Create plant communities that provide
habitats for wildlife and conserve biodiversity
▪
New aesthetic: Not a parade of showy, specimen
plantings like a public garden, but a harmonious series
of native plant communities like a natural area
▪
New measure of success: number and diversity of
indigenous organisms
▪
Guiding principle: What would Mother Nature do?
Ecosystem/Wildlife Habitat Landscaping
▪
Provide components of habitat
•
Native plants as basis of food chain
•
Water feature(s) for drinking, bathing, breeding
•
Shelter from weather and predators
•
Places to raise young
▪
Practice sustainable gardening practices
•
Integrated Pest Management
•
Promoting healthy soil
•
Reducing toxins and other pollutants
▪
National Wildlife Federation “Certified Wildlife Habitat”
program, includes native plant finder tool
▪
Other organizations have their own certification
programs
Natural Plant Communities
▪
Groupings of plants
that evolved in a
common
environment
▪
Living components
within ecosystems
that define habitats
for other organisms
▪
Setting and structure
for interactions of all
organisms in that
habitat
▪
Multiple layers,
continuous canopy
and root zone
(very few bare spots)
Ecosystem: community of living organisms and nonliving environmental components, interacting
•
Soils – acidity,
percolation, depth,
organic content
•
Topography – drainage,
exposure
•
Ecological Succession –
vegetative communities
Within Physiographic Province, Local
Conditions Affect Plant Communities
Baseline Condition for Penn’s Woods
▪
~10,000 BC, end of Ice Age
•
Forests of spruce, fir, birch, pine &
alder
•
First humans
▪
~8,000 – 6,000 BC, Climate slowly
warmed
•
Oak, chestnut, hickory and beech
trees moved in from the south.
▪
16
thCentury, European colonists arrived
•
Pennsylvania covered by “deciduous
forests with a thick layer of humus
and a rich understory of berries and
other plant foods.”
•
Limited open space
Penn’s Woods Today
▪
About 60% (17 million acres)
of Pennsylvania is “forested,”
mostly privately owned,
low-quality, 2
nd
-growth
woodlands.
▪
Generally fragmented, of
uniform age (~100 years old),
97% timberland
▪
Open lands are dominated by
non-native vegetation.
Dark areas: State lands Pale green: private forests
Deer overpopulation contributes to degradation of forests
▪
MontCo within Appalachian Oak Forest,
with ~14 specific forest communities
▪
Not many natural herbaceous openings
(wetlands, floodplains, disturbed areas)
▪
Disturbed Areas
•
Natural disasters
•
Agricultural and developed areas
•
Maintained
grasslands/meadows/landscapes
•
Often pioneered by invasive plant species
§
Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
for
PA plant communities & Montco inventory
Montco Plant Communities
Sugar maple - basswood forest
Aside from
Acer saccharum
(sugar maple) and
Tilia
americana
(basswood),
other trees
typically present
include
Quercus rubra
(northern red oak)
Fraxinus
americana
(white ash),
Liriodendron tulipifera
(tuliptree),
Betula alleghaniensis
(yellow birch), and
B. lenta
(sweet
birch).
Shrubs
include
Lindera benzoin
(spicebush),
Hamamelis virginiana
(witch-hazel), and on richer sites
Asimina triloba
(pawpaw) and
Staphylea trifolia
(bladdernut). There is generally a rich
vernal flora
;
species include
Anemone quinquefolia
(wood anemone),
Cimicifuga racemosa
(black snakeroot),
Geranium maculatum
(wood geranium),
Caulophyllum thalictroides
(blue cohosh),
Allium tricoccum
(wild leek),
Hepatica nobilis
(liverleaf),
Sanguinaria canadensis
(bloodroot),
Erythronium americanum
(trout-lily),
Claytonia virginica
(spring-beauty),
Arisaema
triphyllum
(jack-in-the-pulpit),
Mitella diphylla
(bishop's-cap),
Cardamine concatenata
(cut-leaved toothwort), and
Asarum canadense
(wild ginger).
Other herbaceous species
include
Smilacina racemosa
(false Solomon's-seal),
Dryopteris marginalis
(evergreen wood fern), and
Botrychium virginianum
(rattlesnake fern).
Mixed Forb – Graminoid Wet Meadow
Species include goldenrods (Solidago spp.), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wool-grass (Scirpus cyperinus), bugleweed (Lycopus uniflorus), smartweeds (Persicaria spp.), sedges (Carex stipata var. stipata, C. canescens, C. lurida, C. cristatella, C. tribuloides, C. vesicaria, C. stricta), soft rush (Juncus effusus), Joe-Pye-weed (Eutrochium spp.), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), Canadian St. John's-wort (Hypericum canadense), bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis), New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica), beggar-ticks (Bidens spp.), dwarf St. John's-wort (Hypericum mutilum), bulrush (Scirpus spp.), marsh St. John's-wort (Triadenum virginicum), rattlesnake mannagrass (Glyceria canadensis), and spike-rushes (Eleocharis spp.). Scattered shrubs may be present, representative species include steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa), silky dogwood (Cornus amomum), gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa), red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), and arrow-wood (Viburnum recognitum).
Gardening Specifics
Installation of Rock Garden and Meadow Plant Communities
▪
Every native plant helps
(though more are better)
▪
Think in terms of plant
communities and habitats
for specific wildlife
▪
Your yard is an ecosystem
and is part of a larger
ecosystem
Defining Goals
▪
Look around – which plant communities and
habitat elements are missing from your property?
from the area?
▪
Visit natural and conserved areas for inspiration
▪
Assess your site: soil type, soil
moisture, exposure
▪
Apply assessment to desired
plant community (ex: dry
meadow with acidic soils)
▪
Have a plan (formal or
informal)
▪
Plan for long-term, especially
with trees, shrubs, and
hardscaping
▪
Start small – don’t get
overwhelmed
▪
Quality of habitat is more
important than size
Getting Started
Right Plant, Right Place!
▪
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Native Plants Database Combined Search
www.wildflower.org/plants/
▪
USDA Plants Database Advanced Search
plants.usda.gov/adv_search.html
▪
Audubon Society Native Plants Database
www.audubon.org/native-plants/
▪
National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder
www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/
▪
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
bhwp.org/grow/garden-with-natives/
▪
Many native plant nurseries and on-line retailers
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Chunky habitat shapes with curved
boundaries are more effective than
linear shapes, though linear shapes
can provide travel corridors
▪
Use plants with varied bloom times
and fruits (ex: seeds, berries)
▪
Incorporate layered heights
(structure for wildlife and more)
▪
Space plants for continuous canopy
and root zone (more plants, fewer
weeds)
▪
Identify dominant species (number,
height, spreading) and secondary
species
Creating Plant Communities
32’ perimeter
27 plants 32’ perimeter44 plants
Layered structure, continuous canopy, continuous root zone Chunky shapes provide
greater area within perimeter and attract
more species
▪
Plant multiples of each species in
inter-connected drifts or “crawling distance”
▪
Nurture soil organisms with mulch suitable
for plant community (mostly leafy for
herbaceous plants; mostly woody for trees,
shrubs, and shade/woodland herbaceous)
Creating Plant Communities
Good soil structure
Dominant Species
Blue Bluestem Little Bluestem Indiangrass Switchgrass
Secondary Species
Butterfly Weed Blazing Star Coreopsis Goldenrod Black-Eyed Susan Purple Coneflower
A Lawn Becomes a Grassland
Dominant Species
Purple Coneflower Aster
Black-Eyed Susan Monarda
Secondary Species
Milkweed Bluestem Switchgrass Cup Plant Helianthus Blazing star
A Flowerbed Becomes a Prairie
Dominant Species
Sedge Aster Goldenrods Blue Flag Iris Secondary Species Penstemon False Indigo Ironweed Blazing Star Cardinal Flower Red Twig Dogwood
A Rain Garden Becomes a Wetland
Dominant Species
Red Cedar Redbud Fragrant Sumac Flowering Dogwood Secondary Species Shadbush Aromatic Aster Canada Columbine Switchgrass Big Bluestem Grass Tall Grama Oats Grass
Dominant Species
Sugar Maple Witch Hazel Spice Bush Pawpaw Secondary Species Cimicifuga Wood Geranium Blue Cohosh Trout Lily Jack-in-the-Pulpit Evergreen Wood Fern
A Specimen Tree or Shade Garden
Becomes a Woodland
“Native”
Species, cultivars, and hybrids – oh, my!
▪
Straight native species
•
Local genome
•
Grown from seed (open pollination)
•
Grown from seed (closed pollination)
•
Vegetatively propagated (i.e., clones)
•
Unknown origin
▪
Cultivars of native species
•
Naturally occurring
(ex: Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’)
•
Human bred (ex: P. paniculata ‘Candy Floss’)
▪
Naturally occurring hybrids between native species
(ex: Helianthus 'Lemon Queen’)
Not Native
▪
Non-naturally occurring hybrids between two
native species (ex:
Eximia ‘Luxuriant’
) or native
and non-native species (ex:
Agastache x ‘Blue Fortune)
▪
Non-native species, cultivar, or hybrid
Use botanical names!
Plants started from seed have genetic variation
Garden plants share their genes with wild plants of the
same species
Are ‘Nativars’ Okay?
▪
All nativars have potential to
interfere with evolution of local
genomes, especially human-bred
nativars
▪
Generally, changes to plant size
have least impact on interactions
with other organisms
▪
Changes to leaf/petal color,
reproductive parts, fruits generally
decrease interactions with other
organisms
Viburnum dentata ‘Blue Muffin’ Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ Viburnum dentata ‘Diablo’“But what about the Mt. Cuba trials?”*
▪
Results: some nativars attracted more
pollinators
▪
BUT
•
Pollinators are only one group of
organisms that rely upon plants
•
Not all pollinators were identified
to the species level
•
Not all pollinators are the same (ex:
honey bees aren’t native; some bees
may not be able to use nativars)
•
Changes to flower morphology were
not studied and might impact some
species (ex: long- v. short-tongues bees)
•
Nativars that attracted more pollinators
were healthier, more vigorous plants
overall. Nutritional value of pollen and
nectar was not studied.
Balancing pros and cons is up to you!
“Top 10” Lists
▪
Lists focus on only one
group of organisms, but all
organisms are integral to the
ecosystem
▪
Many species are specialists
(oligolectic) and need plants
not on list
▪
A less popular plant with
more nutrients might benefit
other organism more than
more popular plant with
fewer nutrients
▪
I try for about 1/3 top 10
Bellflower Resin Bees
Host plant for most caterpillars of 2020? Carolina Silverbell!
Spiny Oak Slug
Saddleback Smaller Parasa
Promethea Moth
▪
Feed the caterpillars! They eat
leaves and all other plant parts.
▪
Pollen and nectar Spring to Fall
▪
Almost every flower attracts
insects (even wind-pollinated
flowers!)
▪
Nesting sites for native bees and
wasps (undisturbed ground,
hollow stems)
▪
Shallow sources of water (e.g.,
stones in birdbath)
Landscaping for Insect Pollinators
From top: White-dotted Prominent on Sugar Maple; Spicebush Swallowtails drinking; Yellow Jackets at nest.
Top Native Nectar Plants
These plants are also native to Pennsylvania
1.
Oak
2.
Willow
3.
Cherry/Plum
4.
Birch
5.
Poplar
6.
Crabapple
7.
Blueberry/Cranberry
8.
Maple
9.
Elm
10.
Pine
Top 10 Caterpillar Host Woody Plants
Crowned Slug on White Oak
Smaller Host Plants
▪
Spicebush
▪
Milkweed
▪
Asters
▪
Maypop
▪
Pipevine/Wild Ginger
▪
Wild Petunia
▪
Violets
▪
Golden Alexanders
▪
Dogwood shrubs
▪
Grasses
▪
Sedges
Variegated Fritillary on Maypop
▪
Nectar from Spring to Fall
▪
Shrubs or trees for nesting
▪
Sprinklers or misters for water
▪
Tubular, red flowers, ex: Coral
Honeysuckle, Bee Balm,
Cardinal Flower
▪
Other flowers for small insects
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at (clockwise from top): sprinkler, Smooth Solomon’s Seal, Heuchera, Cardinal Flower, Coral Honeysuckle, Bottlebrush Buckeye, Fringed Bleeding Heart, Pink Turtlehead
▪
90% of songbirds feed insects to
their young – so garden for
caterpillars, pollinators, etc.
▪
Pennsylvania was a forest and still
wants to be (trees, shrubs)
▪
Masting plants: berries, nuts, seeds
▪
Multiple baths, at different heights
and locations
▪
Provide birdhouses when natural
cavities not available
Landscaping for Songbirds
From top: Eastern Towhee with insect; American Robin bathing in garden
stream; House Wren feeding young
From Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
American Goldfinch at Cup Plant
From Bowman’s Hill
Gray Catbird with Pokeberry
Cedar Waxwing with Serviceberry
DCNR Backyard Best Bets - Sunny
Deer-Resistant Plants (Bowman’s Hill)
Summary
▪
Every native plant helps!
▪
More is better!
▪
There’s a native plant suitable for every
landscape!
Closed Bottle Gentian moist shade
Smooth Aster dry sun Sweetfern
dry shade Turk’s-cap Lily moist sun
Questions?
www.marcmradell.com
“Thanks for planting natives!”
