Sep 10

Native Perennials: The Key to a Thriving, Eco-Friendly Garden

And Why Invasives Are Ruining the Party

Hi, flower friend!

Let’s have a little heart-to-heart about something crucial to your garden and the world around it—native plants. They’re truly the key to a thriving, eco-friendly garden, and the best part? They’ve been working in harmony with the local environment long before we started digging in the dirt. But, as with any good garden party, there are always a few uninvited guests—those pesky invasive plants—determined to ruin the fun. Let’s dig into what makes native perennials the real MVPs and why invasives are the ones you want to keep out.

THE HEART OF THE MATTER: ECOSYSTEM HARMONY

Think of the ecosystem as nature’s version of a carefully balanced recipe. One dash of this, a sprinkle of that, and everything works together beautifully. But, swap out an ingredient (or in our case, plant the wrong thing), and suddenly that recipe turns into a bit of a disaster. Native perennials are like the key ingredients in this recipe—they’ve evolved over thousands of years with local insects, birds, and wildlife, which means they fit perfectly into the balance.

When you plant native species, you’re essentially helping Mother Nature keep things running smoothly. Native perennials provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for local wildlife, including our ever-important pollinators like bees and butterflies. When that web of life is strong, your garden hums with life, and the whole system stays resilient and healthy.

NATIVE PERENNIALS: THE GARDEN’S BEST KEPT SECRET

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the true beauty of native perennials. These plants are like the ultimate low-maintenance friends—they know how to handle themselves. Because they’ve been here forever (well, close enough), they’re perfectly adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, meaning you don’t have to pamper them with constant watering or soil amendments. Less fuss, more beauty? Yes, please.

But the real magic happens under the surface—literally. Native perennials have deep roots that stabilize the soil, improve its structure, and help prevent erosion. Plus, they’re essential for keeping the pollinators and other wildlife in your area happy and healthy. They’re not just making your garden pretty; they’re doing some heavy lifting for the entire ecosystem.

INVASIVE PLANTS: THE UNWANTED GUESTS AT THE GARDEN PARTY

Now, let’s talk about the troublemakers—those invasive plants that somehow sneak into your garden and proceed to act like they own the place. Picture this: you’ve spent months carefully curating your native garden, and suddenly, morning glories (yep, the bane of my existence—no, I have never planted them!) start popping up everywhere. They’re not just a nuisance; they’re a full-blown menace, climbing over everything and strangling your poor perennials in their wake.

Invasive plants, like morning glories, Japanese honeysuckle, and English ivy, aren’t just bad houseguests—they’re ecosystem wreckers. These plants weren’t originally part of the local environment, and without their natural predators, they run rampant, crowding out the natives and upsetting the delicate balance of your garden’s ecosystem.

Why Invasives Are a Big Problem: The Domino Effect

When invasive plants take over, it’s not just a minor inconvenience—it’s a full-on domino effect. Here’s what happens:

1. Starving the Locals: Native plants are essential food sources for insects like caterpillars and bees. Invasives? Not so much. When native plants disappear, the wildlife that depends on them starts to go hungry.

2. Homeless Wildlife: Many native plants also provide shelter and nesting spaces for birds and other small animals. When invasive species smother those plants, it leaves these creatures without a home.

3. Soil Sabotage: Some invasive plants actually alter the soil, making it harder for native plants to grow. They hog all the nutrients and water, leaving little for anything else.

4. Water Hogs: Invasives can be thirsty little things, sucking up more water than the natives, leaving your garden dry and struggling.

So, one little invasive plant might not seem like a big deal at first, but it quickly leads to a breakdown in the entire ecosystem.

Lilac being smothered by invasive morning glory

Invasive morning glory roots that wont die

What are you looking at?!

Pic 1: Somewhere in that mess of invasive vines are my priced lilac bushes, but they are being smothered. This image was taken one month after it was last weeded.

Pic 2: These are the roots that were pulled out from under the wood chips in a six foot square area. Again, remember after only one month of this being done previously.

What is it? A Morning Glory Nightmare

Morning glories, in particular, seem harmless—after all, they’ve got those cute little trumpet-shaped blooms. But trust me, they are not your friends. They spread like wildfire, climbing up your plants, fences, trees—anything in their path. And once they’re established? Good luck getting rid of them. It’s like they’ve got their own agenda to take over the world, or at least your entire garden.

Other Native Nightmares

• Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): Sweet-smelling but ruthless. It’ll choke out anything in its path.

• English Ivy (Hedera helix): Great for covering old brick walls, but terrible for trees and native plants. It’s like a slow-motion suffocation.

• Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata): Originally planted for erosion control, now it’s causing a lot more harm than good.

NON-INVASIVE CULTIVARS: A KINDER, GENTLER CHOICE

Now, not all non-native plants are bad. In fact, there are plenty of cultivated plants that don’t cause harm to the ecosystem. These non-invasive cultivars have been bred to behave themselves in the garden, staying where they’re planted and not going rogue like their invasive cousins.

Non-invasive cultivars still offer the beauty and benefits of their species without disrupting the local ecosystem. Think of them as the well-mannered cousins to invasive plants. They play nicely with the natives, providing nectar for pollinators or seeds for birds, but without crowding out the locals.

Take for example some non-invasive ornamental grasses or sterile cultivars of once-invasive species that don’t produce viable seeds (so they can’t spread). These plants can be a good middle ground when you’re looking to fill a spot in your garden but want to avoid any invasive headaches. Just make sure to do your research, as some cultivars are still up for debate on whether they’re truly non-invasive.

BUILDING A BALANCED GARDEN: THE NATIVE ADVANTAGE

At the end of the day, nothing beats the real deal—native plants. When you plant native perennials, you’re not just creating a gorgeous garden; you’re building a mini-ecosystem that supports life from the ground up. Your garden becomes a haven for pollinators, birds, and even the tiniest critters in the soil. It’s a legacy that extends far beyond your garden fence.

And remember, if you see morning glories (or any other invasive species) creeping into your yard, it’s time to roll up those sleeves and give them the boot. Your native plants will thank you, and so will the bees, birds, and butterflies that call your garden home.

What do you think of this version? It’s got a bit more of that friendly, conversational vibe, some added turn of phrase, and a good explanation of non-invasive cultivars. Let me know if you’d like to tweak anything else!