To the Editor:

As the weather warms, homeowners’ thoughts typically turn to yards and landscaping. Spring is an excellent time to spruce up residential plantings, and what better way to do so than to incorporate native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses into your home’s outdoor spaces? Native plants bring many benefits.

First and foremost, plants native to this region provide food and habitats to a diverse set of local wildlife; in many cases, plants originating overseas simply cannot substitute. “Planting native” helps insects and birds that are important pollinators, key components of the food chain, or simply beautiful to behold. The most famous example is perhaps the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), caterpillars of which feed on Milkweeds (Asclepias species); loss of native Milkweeds and plantings of non-native Milkweeds may be contributing to the butterfly’s population decline in some states. Another example is the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus); as its name suggests, caterpillars of this spectacular butterfly feed on leaves of Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), sometimes called “Native Forsythia.” This deer-resistant shrub has aromatic leaves, and can grow in a wide range of conditions; its flowers provision bees in spring, and its fat-rich berries help fuel birds migrating south in autumn.

Secondly, native plants can be beautiful and hardy, with colors, shapes, textures, and scents that rival or exceed those of the European and Asian species that are all too commonly encountered in residential landscaping. When established in suitable conditions, many natives grow well with little or no need for watering, pesticides, or fertilizers. You can find native species that love wet soils, others that do well in dry conditions, plenty that thrive in shade and many that are stunning in sun. The rich diversity of plants native to this area is vividly illustrated at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve just south of New Hope, where about 800 species can be seen in just 134 acres. You can purchase native plants for your own yard at the Preserve (their plant sale starts May 9 and continues throughout the growing season); at D&R Greenway’s native plant nursery; at the Mercer County Gardeners Plant Expo; and in good local garden centers and nurseries. All these outlets should also be able to advise on what plants will grow well in the light and soil conditions in your yard.

In short, eschew the imports, and plant native if possible; there are some upcoming sales where you can obtain a wide selection. Your local butterflies, bees, beetles, and birds will thank you.

Catherine Williams

Clover Lane, The writer is a volunteer at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve.