Separating fact from fabrication about native plant gardening – the real story about cost , upkeep , and solvent that might surprise you .
aboriginal plant gardening has gained enormous popularity in late twelvemonth , but with that popularity comes a flood of misconceptions .
Some people quash native plants establish on outdated myths , while others plunk in with unrealistic expectations .
Let ’s separate fact from fiction and give you the real narrative about what aboriginal works gardening actually involve .
Our Other Native Garden Resources
See also : The ultimate scout to garden with aboriginal plant : why location count
Myth #1: “Native Plants Are Ugly and Weedy-Looking”
The Reality: Native Plants Include Stunning Show-Stoppers
This native plant life horticulture myth likely stems from hoi polloi confusing “ native ” with “ fantastic ” or “ untended . ” In reality , many of the most belovedgarden plants are really nativespecies that have been crop for hundred .
Spectacular Native Examples :
United States :
United Kingdom :
Canada :
Australia :
The Design FactorAny flora can look boney without proper design . The difference between a beautiful native garden and a weedy look comes down to :
Cost Reality Check:
aboriginal plants often be the same or less than pop non - native at nursery , and many can be uprise from seed for penny per works .
Myth #2: “Native Plants Are Expensive and Hard to Find”
The Reality: Native Plants Offer Excellent Value and Growing Availability
Purchasing Cost Comparison ( Average Prices ):
Where to Find aboriginal Plants :
more and more useable at Mainstream Nurseries
Specialised Native Plant Nurseries
Native Plant Society Sales
Seed Sources
Growing Your Own
Long-Term Cost Analysis:
Year 1 - 3 investment funds :
Year 4 + on-going Costs :
Myth #3: “Native Plants Require No Maintenance”
The Reality: Lower Maintenance, Not No Maintenance
This native flora gardening myth sets up unrealistic expectation and leads to disappointment . While aboriginal plants are generally lower maintenance than non - indigen , they ’re not completely hands - off .
What Native Plants Actually necessitate :
Establishment Period ( First 1 - 2 year ):
Ongoing Maintenance ( Year 3 + ):
Seasonal Tasks :
Maintenance Comparison: Native vs. Non-Native Garden
Traditional Non - Native Garden Annual Tasks :
Established Native Garden Annual Tasks :
Maintenance Reduction : 75 % less clock time required
Myth #4: “Native Plants Don’t Provide Year-Round Interest”
The Reality: Natives Offer Four-Season Beauty
This aboriginal plant gardening myth ignores the fact that aboriginal plant life evolved to be attractive to pollinators and wildlife throughout the growing time of year , often supply more extended interest than short - blooming exotics .
Four - Season Native Garden Interest :
natural spring :
Summer :
come down :
Winter :
Extended Bloom Periods:
Many natives blossom longer than their exotic counterparts :
Myth #5: “You Can’t Have a Formal Garden with Native Plants”
The Reality: Native Plants Work in Any Design Style
Native plants are just plants – they can be arrange formally or colloquially depend on your design preferences .
Formal Native Garden ingredient :
Examples of Formal Native Designs :
Design Principles Still Apply :
Myth #6: “Native Plants Spread Aggressively and Take Over”
The Reality: Most Natives Are Well-Behaved Garden Citizens
While some native industrial plant do spread ( just like some non - natives ) , the absolute majority are clump - forming or have predictable ontogeny form .
Aggressive Spreaders to Approach with Caution :
Well - conduct Native Garden Stars :
manage fan out native :
Comparison with Common Non-Native Spreaders:
Many beloved non - native garden plants are really more aggressive than most natives :
Myth #7: “Native Plants Don’t Attract Pollinators Like Exotic Flowers”
The Reality: Natives Are Pollinator Magnets
This aboriginal plant gardening myth is altogether backwards – native plants have co - acquire with local pollinators and are specifically adapted to attract and support them .
Scientific grounds :
Pollinator Research Results : Studies consistently show that aboriginal flora :
Why Natives pull ahead for pollinator :
Myth #8: “You Need a Large Space for Native Plant Gardening”
The Reality: Native Plants Work in Any Size Space
aboriginal industrial plant horticulture scales absolutely from container garden to large landscape .
Container Native Gardens :
Small SpaceNative Gardens :
Urban Native Gardening :
Small Space, Big Impact:
Even tiny native plant gardens provide :
The Real Cost-Benefit Analysis
Initial Investment Comparison (500 sq ft garden):
Traditional Exotic Garden :
Native Plant Garden :
Annual Maintenance Costs:
Traditional Garden :
Native Garden :
10-Year Investment Comparison:
The Bottom Line: Realistic Expectations
Native plant gardening offers important advantages , but it ’s not sorcerous . Here ’s what you may realistically anticipate :
What Natives Excel At :
What Natives Still Require :
winner factor :
Making the Switch: A Realistic Approach
Phase 1 : Easy Additions ( Year 1)Add a few easy , dependable natives to existing bed to see how they do in your conditions .
Phase 2 : Dedicated Native Area ( Year 2)Create a modest consecrate native industrial plant country to pull ahead experience with design and care .
phase angle 3 : Gradual Conversion ( Years 3 - 5)Replace non - native as they refuse with appropriate native choice .
Phase 4 : Full Native Garden ( Years 5+)Expand successful native plantings base on your experience and preferences .
The truth about native plant gardening is better than the myths – you ’ll save money , sentence , and environmental resources while creating a beautiful garden that defend local ecosystem . The key fruit is approaching it with naturalistic anticipation and good selective information rather than misconception .
quick to start your aboriginal industrial plant journeying ? Begin with research , start small , and prepare to be sunnily surprised by both the beauty and the benefit .
desire to dive deeper ? assure out our comprehensive guide to researching aboriginal plants for your specific location , and search our region - specific native industrial plant testimonial .
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Martin Cole has been an esurient works lover and nurseryman for more than 20 years and loves to lecture and pen about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year rival . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a sheepskin course of study in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The site is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening bug and want to know more .
Gardening pace by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s declamatory post decree works retailer , as a website that publishes expert gardening content .
