My neighborhood's obsession with native species is stifling our garden diversity

I live in a dense urban area where everyone's pushing for native plants in community plots. I mean, idk, maybe it's just me, but why limit ourselves? Last season, I tried introducing some non-native herbs, and the backlash was immediate. We're missing out on so many beneficial plants because of this purist mindset. It's time to embrace a more eclectic approach to urban gardening.

4 comments

4 Comments

the_zara1h ago

Oh man, my friend Leo tried to add ornamental kale to our neighborhood's pollinator garden last fall. The native plant committee literally held an emergency meeting! They said its "non-native foliage could mislead local Lepidoptera." It was just some pretty purple kale!

tara_perry4216m ago

Thought it was silly until I saw the butterfly confusion firsthand.

bailey.nancy8h ago

You're spot on about the purist mindset! Last year I snuck some lavender into our plot and you would have thought I committed a CRIME. We need that botanical diversity, it's what makes gardens INTERESTING and resilient.

fiona_west212h ago

Tell me about it. I once planted mint near our community herb beds thinking it would be a nice addition. That stuff spread like a botanical horror movie. My plot neighbor still gives me the side eye whenever she has to pull runners. So much for my brilliant contribution to diversity. I basically introduced an unstoppable green mob. Guess I took the "resilient" part too literally.