Speaking Up for Non-Native Plants
I love native plants, and the many, well-documented services and benefits they provide, including increased habitat for birds, insects, and wildlife, adaptability to local conditions, and limited fertilizer and water requirements. These benefits, among others, are certainly worthwhile and valuable. I have many native plants throughout my yard (the purple cone flower was beautiful in July, followed by the black-eyed susans coming in strong in August) and in my shady rain garden (the red osier dogwood seems very happy). However, I get concerned when native plants are specified as the only acceptable choice for use in bioretention and related stormwater [...]