Now that the warmer weather is here, you may want to grab your gardening gloves and start planting, but before you run to the local flower nursery, you should try adding some native plants to your garden. Here on Long Island, we have native plants like the Pitch Pine tree and the Buttonbush as well as flowers such as the Butterfly Milkweed and the Black-eyed Susan. But what exactly are native plants? Native plants are plants that naturally grow where they once originally evolved over thousands of years. They have adapted to the local soil, wildlife, and climate of a particular area. This also means that the local insects and wildlife have co-evolved with these plants, creating a co-dependence. Without these plants, birds and other species would not be able to survive since they rely on these plants for sustenance and shelter. The plants that grow naturally in our backyards have adapted to the briny air Long Island has to offer, along with the changing seasons and conditions: from the humidity of the summer to the bitter cold days of winter. Our native plants naturally thrive in these environmental conditions, which as a result, means less watering and maintenance for you. Their roots adapt better to the soil compared to non-native plants, they will aid in soil health, and they will be better protected from garden pests. Native flowers require minimal watering and no fertilizing, and less maintenance for you!
The roots of native plants can also help prevent erosion. Their roots anchor into the soil and establish a strong network underground, creating a stable structure which ultimately reduces runoff and erosion. Here at the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, we are strong advocates for clean drinking water, which comes from our aquifer system. Native plants also contribute to water quality as they filter out pollutants, thereby acting as natural purifiers.
There are a variety of native flowers to add to your garden. As mentioned above, the Butterfly Milkweed is a great plant to start with. It is a perennial that grows approximately 1-2’and has bright orange flowers that will be hard to miss! These flowers love the sun so be sure they get plenty of light. In addition to the beauty these flowers will add to your yard, they will help Long Island’s ecosystem. Native flowers attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. Pollinators need the nectar and pollen that flowers provide, so not only will you have a lot of friendly pollinators visiting your yard, but you will also be doing them a favor, too. Without pollinators, many of our crops would not be sustained and eventually die off. This would result in food insecurities and a rise in food costs.
Native plants can be found at many Long Island nurseries and are in stock now. Happy gardening!
By Shannon Joy, Long Island Pine Barrens Society
Cover Photo by Suzanne Ruggles
