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As you participate in the garden tour, consider the four myths of native gardens.
1. Native Gardens Are Full of Weeds
Weeds are unwanted plants. Native gardeners propagate and raise plants they desire: native plants. To some native gardeners, plants like daylilies, hostas, boxwood, Lily of the Valley, Siberian Squill are unwanted plants, therefore, weeds. The latter especially being weedy because they are invasive and can destroy woodland ecosystems.
2. Native Gardens Collect Water and Flood Basements
Just the opposite. Native gardens slow down water and let it infiltrate into the soil, deterring it from entering the sewer systems and rivers. Turfgrass acts as a runway. Blame it for flooding
3. Native Plants Are Too Tall. You Can Get Lost in a Native Garden
People can not become physically lost in a native garden. They can get lost in mindfulness as they connect with nature and experience the myriad of life in native gardens.
4. Native Gardens Have lots of Bees in Them. You Can Easily Be Stung
True, native gardens have lots of bees. Most bee species lack the capability to sting. Those that sting only sting when threatened or defending a nest. Stinging bees in native gardens are too busy working flowers for nectar and or pollen to bother with a human being. In the Anthropocene, humans are not accustomed to lack of attention. Oh well.
5. Native Plant Gardening Is Only a Trend
Wrong. Native gardens are sustainable. They conserve water, mitigate climate change, and the extinction crisis. They are the landscape of the future.
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