I really appreciate Bea's definition of native plants. I didn't initially agree with it, I've been more of the opinion (here on the west coast) that native plants are plants that grew in our forests, mountains, and meadows and co-evolved with the insects, birds, animals, and all our native wildlife here before European contact and economic activities disrupted them. After watching Doug Tallamy's talk on the Little Things That Run The World, I had been thinking about the problems that come with the evolutionary advantage of migration disappearing for wildlife, but I guess I'd not yet followed that to its logical conclusion. I know we're all thinking about how to make our gardens, homes, and cities more resilient to climate change, but I suppose I again hadn't put all those pieces together with the changing wildlife part of gardening for wildlife. But Bea noticing that wildlife is seeking different habitats as their climate and habitat changes and that native plants are thus those that evolved with the wildlife that can and does live in an area seems pretty inarguable. I appreciate all the knowledge and how-tos she shared and that your questions brought out, and I appreciate her simple, practical, and forward-thinking definition of native plants. Thank you both for sharing!
Thanks for a thoughtful comment. That "native" question can be a thorny one, but at the end of the day, each of us has to reach our own definition. Bea has certainly informed our perspective, and glad she's helped connect some dots for you as well. She's a gem, for sure.
I really appreciate Bea's definition of native plants. I didn't initially agree with it, I've been more of the opinion (here on the west coast) that native plants are plants that grew in our forests, mountains, and meadows and co-evolved with the insects, birds, animals, and all our native wildlife here before European contact and economic activities disrupted them. After watching Doug Tallamy's talk on the Little Things That Run The World, I had been thinking about the problems that come with the evolutionary advantage of migration disappearing for wildlife, but I guess I'd not yet followed that to its logical conclusion. I know we're all thinking about how to make our gardens, homes, and cities more resilient to climate change, but I suppose I again hadn't put all those pieces together with the changing wildlife part of gardening for wildlife. But Bea noticing that wildlife is seeking different habitats as their climate and habitat changes and that native plants are thus those that evolved with the wildlife that can and does live in an area seems pretty inarguable. I appreciate all the knowledge and how-tos she shared and that your questions brought out, and I appreciate her simple, practical, and forward-thinking definition of native plants. Thank you both for sharing!
Thanks for a thoughtful comment. That "native" question can be a thorny one, but at the end of the day, each of us has to reach our own definition. Bea has certainly informed our perspective, and glad she's helped connect some dots for you as well. She's a gem, for sure.
A delightful gardener, excellent advice
Bea's a wonderful resource, for sure! Her property is just so alive!