mowr insights

I have noticed a stronger shift toward native plants on commercial and residential new builds as well as garden renovations. Every year, I receive more and more requests from homeowners, property managers, and tender packages introducing native plants on their sites and properties. Native plants are naturally adapted to the local environment, which means they support local wildlife, pollinators, and maintain biodiversity. They often require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, making them a low-maintenance and sustainable choice. Finding great, knowledgeable suppliers in the nursery space is a fantastic way to discover what is available and what works best to reach your project goals.

Greg Cranford

In this weeks edition of mowr insights we are joined by Manny Lavrador Director of Wholesale Market Development at Connon Nurseries .

A WIN-WIN FOR THE NATIVE PLANTS TREND IN TODAY’S LANDSCAPES

Over the last few years, we have all seen a push, and increased interest, towards native plants! Concerns about invading cultivars and species, and a desire for ecological balance have aided this trend, which has found enthusiasm amongst many consumer groups!

The industry is responding to this trend but to be successful in having ecological balance while achieving aesthetics and ornamental value, especially for residential landscapes, here is what you need to consider.

I would like to highlight that the discussion around native plants, cultivars, and nativars ultimately comes down to choosing the right plant for the right site, situation, and project vision.

Here are some of the key characteristics and benefits of native plants, cultivars, and nativars:

Native Plants:

• Ecological Benefits: Native plants are naturally adapted to the local environment, supporting local wildlife, pollinators, and maintaining biodiversity.
• Low Maintenance: Because they are well-suited to the local conditions, native plants often require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
• Diversity: Native plants contribute to the genetic diversity of the ecosystem, which can be important for resilience.

Cultivars and Nativars:

• Aesthetic Flexibility: Cultivars and nativars are often selected or bred for specific traits, such as flower color, size, or disease resistance, which can make them more appealing in certain design contexts.
• Performance: Some cultivars and nativars may perform better in certain environments or under certain conditions than their native counterparts, such as being more resistant to pests or more tolerant of urban environments.
• Ecological Impact: The ecological impact of nativars can vary. Some may still provide similar ecological benefits as native plants, while others may not support local wildlife as effectively.

Using certain native plants (for example, Rudbeckia Hirta) in residential gardens may result in spreading the love to neighbors or neighborhood parks. A nativar (for example, Rudbeckia City Garden) may be a better option with the same ecological benefits.

Native plants are wonderful, but when considering designs and use in residential gardens, it all comes down to the right plant in the right place.

Right Plant, Right Place:

• Site Conditions: Soil type, moisture, light, and climate are critical factors in determining plant selection. The right plant for the site will thrive with minimal intervention.
• Project Goals: Whether the goal is to restore a natural habitat, create a low-maintenance garden, or design an ornamental landscape, the choice between natives, cultivars, and nativars should align with the overall project vision.
• Sustainability: The sustainability of the project is enhanced by selecting plants that require fewer resources to maintain over time, which often means choosing those best suited to the local environment.

For success, a balanced approach that considers the ecological, aesthetic, and practical aspects of the project will likely yield the best results for client satisfaction. While the discussion continues, the primary focus should always be on selecting plants that fit the specific context and objectives of the project.

No matter where you sit on this debate or are on the proverbial fence here, the right plant for the right site/conditions results in client satisfaction, all the while greening the space and achieving the client’s needs and goals, improves the environment and is of a climate action benefit.

Can you say WIN-WIN! Keep planting, landscaping, and gardening….

mowr notes

We’re always looking for fresh perspectives and insights from our community, and we’d love to hear from you!

If you’re interested in contributing to our future newsletters, please don’t hesitate to direct message Greg Cranford .

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