A return to natives - plants

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 1994 by Rod Simmons

More and more parks throughout the country are discovering the problem of invasive exotic plants. Eastern forest parks, such as Rock Creek Park and Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington D.C., are becoming overrun with English Ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle, and Norway Maple. Kudzu is a major problem in the south. Tall Fescue, the common lawn and forage grass, is overwhelming midwestern grassland parks and preserves. Removed from the biological constraints of their native land, invasive exotics such as these replace our native plants and decrease species diversity. "Park managers. all over the country are battling hundreds of species of exotic plants that aggressively outcompete many of our natives," says John Walsh, park manager of the Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria, Virginia.

These plants usually enter the park from the surrounding neighborhoods where they are planted as ornamentals. Some exotic species are important in our landscaping, but one should always be aware of how such a planting will negatively affect the local flora. "The most important thing is to make sure the plant you have chosen is not going to replace a native plant in the environment, and the easiest way to do that is to plant native," explains Lou Aronica, a landscaper and Maryland Native Plant Society founder.

Many people are discovering that most exotics can be substituted with equally attractive and suitable natives. Selecting plants from those species occurring naturally within one's particular region ensures an appropriate planting. Conveniently, many nurseries throughout the country are offering a wide selection of native material. In choosing a native plant nursery, it is very important to avoid those offering wild collected plants. A reputable nursery propagates material from seeds or cuttings and discloses credible information on its methods. Peterson field guides, Audubon field guides, Wyman's Garden Encyclopedia, Taylor's Garden Encyclopedia and Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants can help you determine whether or not a plant is native to the U.S.

Home for Rescued Plants

In addition to planting natives, rescuing plant material from development sites helps preserve natural resources. The Winkler Preserve, for instance, has spent many years in this practice. One site in particular, an ancient chestnut oak forest, yielded gigantic 150-year-old mountain laurels and thousands of rare orchids. Innumerable native plants from habitats like these, the last of their kind in this busy area, have found a permanent home in the Winkler Preserve.

"When we come across a local piece of land slated for development, we contact the owner. We have found that most developers are extremely pleased to save the plants," says John Walsh, describing the process.

Others include plant rescue in their conservation efforts as well. Alan Peters and Paul Hawkes at the National Zoological Park's Invertebrate Exhibit explain "We planted our butterfly garden with rescued flowers and grasses. This demonstrates to visitors that life in their backyard is just as precious and interesting as the exotic."

Studying the plant's existing conditions and consulting reference material will help you transplant it to a compatible site. Pink Ladyslipper, for instance, will never successfully transplant from pine forest soils to those of the average garden. Plants like these should be donated to appropriate parks or preserves if you can't find proper habitats.

Rescuing plants, however, should be the last option after you have exhausted all attempts at preserving the entire habitat. "Saving additional park land in the first place would be the ideal solution, but we should not ignore whatever resources that can be saved when development does proceed," explains John Walsh.

We can help restore our environment by preserving natural resources and planting natives, but this is not yet common practice. Fostering awareness of the wealth and potential of natural resources in our neighborhoods, parks and communities will reconnect and strengthen our fragmented ecosystems and benefit us all.

RECOMMENDED NATIVE PLANT AND WILDFLOWER NURSERIES

Forest Farm                990 Tetherow Road, Williams, OR 97544
                           (503) 846-7269
Prairie Moon Nursery       Route 3, Box 163, Winoma, MN 55987
                           (507)452-1362
Roselyn Nursery            211 Burrs Lane, Dix Hills, NY 11746
                           (516) 643-9347
Siskiyou Nursery           2825 Cummings Road, Medford, OR 97501
                           (508) 772-6846
We-Du Nurseries            Route 5, Box 724, Marion, NC 28752
                           (704) 738-8300
Woodlanders, Inc.          1128 Colleton Avenue, Aiken, SC 29801
                           (803) 648-7522
Wildlife Nurseries, Inc.   P.O. Box 2724. Oshkosh, WI 54903-2724
                           (414) 231-3780