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Native wildflowers are those
that were growing naturally in the landscape before the first
settlers arrived from Europe. Ever since that time more and more
plants have been introduced from around the world with very mixed
results. Although many of the imports are now prized garden specimens,
others are regarded as invasive weeds whose cultivation is actively
discouraged eg Japanese Knotweed. The benefits of growing wildflowers
are many, but here are just a few:
Since wildflowers grow naturally
in the landscape they will thrive in similar soil types and situations
in your garden.
Because they are growing in their
natural habitat, wildflowers will require less water and fertilizer
than other plants.
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Equally wildflowers have a natural
resistance to pests and diseases and so will reduce the need
for sprays and pesticides.
Many wildflowers are attractive
to bees and butterflies and so will encourage these colorful
insects to visit.
Songbirds are also attracted
by the seeds and berries produced by the plants.
A wildflower planting can produce
a dense groundcover that will encourage frogs and toads who will
eat slugs but not harm your plants themselves. |
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On a more practical level, give
up part of your lawn, sow wildflower seeds and save yourself
the effort of mowing.
Read about the folklore of wildflowers
and discover a whole new world of traditional uses of plants
as food, as tisanes, potpourris and more.
Many wildflowers have in the
past been used as medicines and a number of modern drugs are
based on plant extracts.
To bring this short list to a
close, just consider that when all around you land is being developed
for houses, shops, factories and roads, your area of wildflower
planting can be a contribution to the preservation of the natural
environment. |
