It may be the rare gardener these days who has not heard about the push to encourage more use of native plants in our gardens.
What is a native? According to the National Resource Conservation Service of Washington State, a native plant is “an indigenous species that has evolved naturally in a particular region, ecosystem and habitat, specifically existing on the continent prior to European settlement. These plants are considered part of the natural balance that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a specific area.”
Derby Canyon Natives in Peshastin, founded in 2002 by Ted Always and taken over in 2022 by Mel Asher, is a specialty nursery growing wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees native to central Washington.
Asher spoke with our local Master Gardeners earlier this year about native plants. Asher shared the benefit of planting natives, one of which is less watering and sometimes no watering.
The growing emphasis on native plants has encouraged gardeners to shift away from water-reliant landscapes, especially turf, toward more drought-tolerant options.
Why should you care? Water is a precious resource, yet many of us waste it without much thought.
Lawns are the most irrigated crop in the United States that is not brought to market, turf farms excluded, with 30% to 60% of urban freshwater used to maintain them. Compared with native gardens, turf grass can use 50% to 85% more water.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that up to 50% of outdoor water use is wasted due to evaporation, wind and runoff caused by improper use or inefficient irrigation systems.
Gardening for the whole ecosystem is another key reason to use native plants. Many insects and wildlife rely on native plantings for survival.
In fact, many insects are “specialists,” meaning they feed or lay eggs on only one specific plant. Most insects fall into this category.
A well-known example is the monarch butterfly, which lays its eggs on milkweed. The larvae then feed voraciously on the plant as they grow and develop before forming a chrysalis.
Native birds feed on native insects.
It is important to consider diversity to provide stability in the ecosystem, to increase nutrient-rich food sources for the various co-evolved pollinators, insects and birds while benefiting soil health, all the while reducing water usage and pressures of a changing climate.
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How many diverse insects? For example, a prunus may host over 200 different caterpillars. A willow will have over 240 caterpillars. Rabbitbrush have over 90 species of pollinators that seek nutrition and habitat. It is rather amazing what you will see on your plants if you take the time to study them.
When working with native plants, do your homework. Many reliable resources can help guide you, including the following:
“Landscaping with Native Plants of the Intermountain Region,” a Bureau of Land Management publication (Technical Reference 1730-3, December 2003); “Native Plants of Eastern Washington,” from the Washington Native Plant Society’s Columbia Basin chapter; and “Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest,” by Arthur R. Kruckeberg and Linda Chalker-Scott (revised 2019).
For more information, visit wnps.org.
Take a tour of gardens that have already “gone native” to see what’s possible. The Heritage Garden Program was developed to help homeowners make the transition to native gardening.
Program specialists will visit your garden, discuss your goals and provide a suggested plan, along with a recommended plant list, at no cost. The program began in 2010 in Benton County and is now offered in seven counties through partnerships with local conservation districts and chapters of the Washington Native Plant Society.
Once you have a plan and know what plants you want, keep in mind that most strictly native plant nurseries are not open year-round. Fall is the best time to plant natives.
Native plants tend to develop long taproots, which help them thrive in dry conditions. Planting in the fall allows roots to establish before summer heat arrives. Even so, some supplemental water is needed during the first year.
Gardeners often say native plants “sleep” the first year, “creep” the second and “leap” the third. Don’t be discouraged if plants look small or sparse at first. They are building strong root systems below ground.
Be mindful of spacing and planting depth and give them time to establish. With a little patience and occasional watering, the results can be surprising.
More and more local nurseries are offering native plants, so make sure you check them out. And who doesn’t love a great plant sale? Check out the following sources and add some native and xeric plants to your garden this spring.
Yakima Valley plant sales kick off in May with native and low-water options.
Image courtesy of Yakima County Master Gardeners
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