Comments on: return of the natives http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2008/01/16/return-of-the-natives/ Gardening, rural life, nature and general observations from a west Texas perspective. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:24:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Nancy http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2008/01/16/return-of-the-natives/#comment-19643 Nancy Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:07:02 +0000 http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2008/01/16/return-of-the-natives/#comment-19643 Just because a plant is native to an area, doesn't always mean it's easy to know where to plant it or how to propagate it. The Native Plant Societies are the people who can answer these questions. And NO ONE at a Lowes, or any other big box store is likely to even know a plant is native to the area in which it's being sold. Just because a plant is native to an area, doesn’t always mean it’s easy to know where to plant it or how to propagate it.

The Native Plant Societies are the people who can answer these questions. And NO ONE at a Lowes, or any other big box store is likely to even know a plant is native to the area in which it’s being sold.

]]> By: Cowtown Pattie http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2008/01/16/return-of-the-natives/#comment-19641 Cowtown Pattie Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:38:22 +0000 http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2008/01/16/return-of-the-natives/#comment-19641 hmm, I see the challenge, but surely there is still purpose for these groups? Maybe free lectures for school kids? Quick and easy horticulture lessons and projects? I was going to suggest that native plant societies might help study and keep some species from extinction, but I suppose TAMU probably does a good job of that... hmm, I see the challenge, but surely there is still purpose for these groups?

Maybe free lectures for school kids? Quick and easy horticulture lessons and projects?

I was going to suggest that native plant societies might help study and keep some species from extinction, but I suppose TAMU probably does a good job of that…

]]> By: mss @ Zanthan Gardens http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2008/01/16/return-of-the-natives/#comment-19640 mss @ Zanthan Gardens Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:38:31 +0000 http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2008/01/16/return-of-the-natives/#comment-19640 Although it is good that native plant awareness has increased over the years, I don't think the native plant society is obsolete. It can provide information on natives to people moving into the area from elsewhere. Despite the growing popularity of native plants in gardening, there are still many left to inform. I was at was at Lowe's the other day when I overheard a conversation where a couple were considering nandina...one of the invasive plants the City of Austin warns us not to plant. And yet almost every nursery in Austin still sells it. Perhaps even longtime gardeners such as myself need a little more converting. I realized that in my GBBD post that not one of the plants I listed as flowering is a native. I love experimenting with exotics. Although I'm trying to replace my invasive plants (such as chinaberry and nandina), I certainly have a long list of non-natives in my garden. Two of my favorites, Tulipa clusiana and oxblood lilies aren't even from this continent. Although it is good that native plant awareness has increased over the years, I don’t think the native plant society is obsolete. It can provide information on natives to people moving into the area from elsewhere.

Despite the growing popularity of native plants in gardening, there are still many left to inform. I was at was at Lowe’s the other day when I overheard a conversation where a couple were considering nandina…one of the invasive plants the City of Austin warns us not to plant. And yet almost every nursery in Austin still sells it.

Perhaps even longtime gardeners such as myself need a little more converting. I realized that in my GBBD post that not one of the plants I listed as flowering is a native. I love experimenting with exotics. Although I’m trying to replace my invasive plants (such as chinaberry and nandina), I certainly have a long list of non-natives in my garden. Two of my favorites, Tulipa clusiana and oxblood lilies aren’t even from this continent.

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