Happy Plants, Happy Gardeners GOING NATIVE INYOUR LANDSCAPING

by Desi Aguirre

Ikill roses on a regular basis, but have a native wild rose in my garden that flourishes with very little help from me. The wild rose is fragrant and although the blossoms are small, they are abundant and glorious. While native plants aren’t always as showy as non-native species, they may be easier to take care of; and that’s just one reason to include them in your landscape plans.

Interested in good stewardship of the natural environment? Gardening with native plants is a great way to create a beautiful yard, garden, or landscape that is healthy and sustainable. Native plants are beneficial to landscapes by adding plants that flourish in our temperature zone while providing natural habitats for birds, bees, and other wildlife. They generally require less water and no extra fertilizers and pesticides, thus saving time, money, and the environment as well,

Karen Olson, landscape architect and co-owner of Aster Garden Design Center, said our local area has a rich variety of native plants that can benefit yards and gardens. But it’s important to understand any plant’s basic wants and needs. “If you want to be a happy gardener and never mourn the loss of a plant,” Olson said, “you need to plant the right plant in the right place.” For example, she explained, kinnikinnick, a versatile, low-growing, native shrub that uses very little water and provides great ground cover, will flourish and require very little maintenance in a sunny, dry area, but won’t do as well in a wet, shady spot.

Best of all, said Olson, gardening with native plants provides natural habitats for area critters. “Local varieties of plants produce crops of flowers with nectar for birds, butterflies, and bees, as well as berries for deer and other wildlife.” Serviceberries— shrubby plants that grow from 3 feet to 20 feet—blue elderberries, and golden currants all provide flowers with plenty of nectar for bees, which turn into berries that provide food for birds, deer, and other wildlife.

The Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society (www.nativeplantsociety.org) sponsors activities and events to foster the understanding and use of native flora while advocating for responsible use of native plants in restoring landscapes. Their book, “Landscaping with Native Plants,” is available in many places around town, and has a wealth of information regarding the proper use of native plants.

To get an idea of the beauty available in a native landscape, visit the North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum, located behind the Bonner County Historical Museum in Lakeview Park (611 South Ella St.). Planted, developed and organized by volunteers from the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society, it showcases local native flowers, shrubs, vines, grasses, ground covers, ferns and trees. The Healing Garden, next to Bonner General Health, also features many native plants in a photo-worthy setting.

Although native plants can be found in the wild, harvesting them can destroy natural habitats and requires a permit, Olson said. To obtain healthy native plants that are sustainable and beautiful, check out the Astoria Garden Center, Cedar Mountain Perennials, All Seasons Garden Center, or shop the Kinnikinnick Native