Native Plants

One of my favourite hobbies is backpacking. Simply locate an area of hills or bush that is sparsely populated. Grab a 'topo' map of the area and a good compass. Toss a few items of clothes in the pack, along with a light tent, a sleeping bag, a few days food ration, a pack stove with pots and assorted safety equipment, plus most important, rain gear and off you go.

It took me a few years to learn, 'to watch not where I was going', but to watch 'what I was going through'. I now carry a couple of native plant field guides. Yep, the old proverb of stopping to smell the roses is true. I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of our wild native flowers. Well you know it's about time I did something about it. You see, I can find dozens of shots, of Pretty Praire Plants, - a whole new topic for future blogs.

This year we have finally located a few suppliers of native prairie seeds/plants. It's time to not only spread the word, but to sell the product. So I'm ordering seeds for around twenty species to start. Who knows, it may be a flop, if so, I'll at least learn about growing some new plants.

What are native plants, in real terms they are plants that have evolved here, in our North American plains. This evolution took place over hundreds or thousands of years. Native plants have adapted to the local environment, including the sparse rainfall patterns.

A number of insects and creatures have evolved along with them.  These beasts specialize in pollinating them, while they are busy feeding on their nectar. Some native plants have adapted to the dry prairie soil, others to the moist forest and part shade regions.

It's these special adaptations to local conditions, that 'should' make native plants enjoyable to grow.
   --- Hey, they have a need to succeed, genetically encoded!

Comments

[Trey]

We will be increasing our selection of native plants this year also. Finding growers has been difficult as our California native plants are notorious for being hard to propagate and grow. The interest in natives by the consumer is growing and nobody in our area has really met the need. We’re trying to interest people in “like climate plants” in addition to the natives. Here that’s rainy winters and dry summers. People do come in and ask for natives and with a little questioning what they are really looking for is “like climate plants” and natives.