Using native plants in landscaping helps wildlife and reduces the cost to maintain a landscape. The urban landscape does have some challenges that more rural areas do not have. Here are some things to think about when planning developments or cityscapes.
Definition of Native Plants
When we talk about native plants, we mean the plants that grew in an area or its surrounding areas before contact with European or Asian settlers. The year 1441 is a common cutoff date, even though there are some disagreements on when the first settlers reached an area.
Benefits of Native Plants
Native plants are adapted to the area and require less maintenance. They do fine with the normal rainfall in an area so once established, they only need to be watered in a drought. They are adapted to the insects and diseases that are endemic to the area, so rarely need pesticides. Native plants are also adapted to the area’s soils, so need less fertilizer than non-native plants. Because native plants need fewer inputs, using them improves water quality.
Native plants feed pollinators, birds, mammals, and other animals that are native to the area. They provide shelter and places to raise young for wildlife. Planting a wide diversity of native plants helps keep one disease or pest from decimating all the vegetation in an area. Monocultures are vulnerable to things like the potato blight, cause of the Irish Potato Famine.
Challenges for Plants in an Urban Area
Urban areas can be challenging for plants. Air pollution can be as hard on plants like trees as it is on humans. In areas with ice and snow, road salt can damage or kill a plant. Trees may have problems because of root damage from nearby brick, asphalt, and concrete surfaces. Finally, the urban heat effect can make it too hot for some delicate plants.
Using Native Plants to Overcome Plant Challenges
Many native plants are able to adapt to the tougher conditions in urban areas. When choosing plants, look for ones that tolerate a variety of soils, grow in a range of temperatures, and are more forgiving of air pollution. Here are some of our favorite urban plants.
Redbud Tree
Redbud trees have one or many trunks that grow 15-30 feet tall. In the spring, they are one of the first trees to bloom. The twigs become covered in fragrant, red buds. The leaves, which are green, come out after the flowers bloom. Redbuds grow in zones 4-9 and can be grown in full sun or dappled sunlight. They naturally grow in woods, especially around streams, and need well-drained, moist soil. The flowers attract bees, especially bumble bees, and other pollinators. Birds nest in redbud trees and eat the fruit. Add flowers and flower buds to salads for a bit of a tang, they are full of vitamin C. Boiling redbud twigs makes a yellow dye.
Paw Paw Tree
Some cities and towns are trying to plant edible fruits and vegetation to help people who live in food deserts get healthy produce. Paw Paw trees grow in zones 5-8 and produce a yellowish green fruit that is edible and tasty. To produce fruit, the tree needs to be in full sun. You will need to plant at least two trees no more than 30 feet apart to have fruit. The tree grows about 25 feet tall in urban areas. It needs well-drained, moist soil. Do not plant in a primarily dry area unless you can water it. Birds, butterflies, and small mammals are attracted to the paw paw tree. Some individuals get contact dermatitis or stomach upset if eating a lot of the fruit.
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal flower plants are large, up to six feet tall with eight inches of flower stalk. The flowers are bright red. The flowers are green and turn for fall. Cardinal flowers bloom from May to October in their native range. This flower is a good plant for wet areas that are boggy and wet all year. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The tubular flowers prevent bees from using them as a nectar source. When eaten in large quantities, this plant is poisonous.
Dogwood Tree
The white dogwood tree is a woodland tree that can grow over 25 feet tall. They can have one or more trunks and has a flat top. The flowers are fragrant, showy, long lasting, and beautiful. The red fruit adds interest, and the foliage is colorful in the fall. These great little trees are widely considered one of the most beautiful of the North American trees. Dogwood trees naturally grow in the forest near streams and rivers. They likes dappled sun but will grow in full sun in cooler areas or in partial shade in hot regions. Dogwoods prefer acid soil that is moist and well-drained. Birds and mammals like the fruit, while bees and butterflies like the nectar dogwoods produce.
Elderberry Plants
Elderberry is a native shrub with green leaves and white flowers. The flowers turn into purplish black fruit that is edible but tart, so is used in jellies, jam, and wine. Elderberries grow up to twelve feet tall and the canes arch at the top. They like part shade but will do well in the sun if well-watered. Growing in zones 3-9, elderberries make an effective hedge or edge plant. Shearing them to the ground every other year keeps them bushy. Elderberries make effective erosion control on slopes because they have very thick roots. The white pith in the twigs is easily removed and was used to make flutes and whistles. Native bees use the twigs to make nests in.
We Can Help
The plants listed in this article are all native to North America. However, they may not be native to your area. The staff at Tennessee Wholesale Nursery can help you find native plants adapted to your area that thrive in the urban landscape. Simply give us a call at 931.692.7325 to speak to our knowledgeable staff. Wholesale only.
