Bayscape Blog 4/27/11

What’s in a Name?

By Judy DeFiglio

When I am giving a talk on native plants or writing this blog I often get asked why I use the Latin name for plants. Am I being a plant “snob”? Am I being a “show off”? or, just trying to impress? The answer is none of the above. I include the Latin name of the plant so you get the right plant for your garden. Common names can be colorful, fun and interesting but they are just that, names given and used by locals for a plant growing in their area. This can cause a problem because often the same plant is called a different name in different parts of the country. For example, what is called beebalm in some areas, oswego tea in other places, and wild bergamot elsewhere, has the same Latin name, Monarda. All over the world, no matter where you go, the Latin name is the same for a specific plant. So if you want to be sure you get the plant you want, use the Latin name. It really isn’t as difficult as you may think. I bet you already know some. How about chrysanthemum, coreopsis, sedum or phlox?

Another question I often get asked is, “can I use a cultivar or do I have to get the species?” For this discussion a species is a plant growing naturally in the wild. Cultivar, the combination of the words cultivated variety, means a plant selected for its desirable characteristic, propagated and maintained by cultivation. This question is hotly debated among native plant enthusiasts. Some feel that if it isn’t a species growing in the immediate area it is not “native”. Others feel that if a cultivar is created from native plants it still deserves the name “native”. I recently attended the NJ Native Plant society conference and a debate was held on this very issue. Both sides presented strong arguments and valid points. The results: for now we agree to disagree. BUT both sides did agree that using cultivars from native plants was far superior for the environment then using non natives.

This is the point we are trying to make with our Bayscape for Barnegat Bay Shore Stewards Program. Using native plants is best but if they don’t work in your landscape using “improved” native cultivars is preferable to using non native or exotic plant material.

Remember Saturday April 30, at 10 a.m. there is a free workshop on becoming a Shore Steward and using native plants in your landscape.

Hammets Garden Center Rt. 9 Forked River, NJ

Join Policy Advocate Helen Henderson and Bayscape Horticulturist Judy DeFiglio to learn about Barnegat Bay and the use of native plants in your yard. A presentation will be made to help you plan your Bayscape for Barnegat Bay garden and plants will be available for immediate purchase. Light refreshments will be provided.

Hope to meet you there.

Bayscape Blog 4/18/11

Where to Find Native Plants for your Garden

By Judy DeFiglio

The word is spreading, the awareness is growing, and the converts are in their gardens digging. Everywhere I go people are talking and asking questions about using native plants in their gardens. As we approach Earth Day this week, that’s great news for the environment. If everyone would just take one small step toward reducing the use of fertilizer and other chemicals in their gardens, it would make a big difference to our planet.

Now the problem becomes, where do you find these fabulous native plants that I keep writing about. First, and most importantly, never dig up plants in the wild. They may look spectacular and be just what you want, but they need to stay where they are. They are playing an important role in creating biodiversity, providing habitat and food for wildlife. Too many natives are already being destroyed by overdevelopment and other environmental issues, like invasive species taking over habitat. Always buy your plants from a reliable nursery or garden center. Mail order is an option but be sure they certify that their plants are grown not dug from the wild.

A word of caution, there is no legal definition of “native” plant. While most experts agree that a native is a plant that was growing in an area before European colonization, some use the term very freely to describe any plant that grows in the wild. Also, some writers use the term to mean native to the United States while others mean native to a particular region. It can get confusing. Add to the mix that some large retailers will list a plant as native, but since they have stores all over the US, the plants they sell in NJ as natives are really native to California so they may not perform well in our area. Just do a little research (like reading this blog!) and you’ll know which plants to choose.

The good news is that because there has been such a surge in interest in native plants, growers and garden centers are really making an effort to expand their stock of these great trees, shrubs and perennials. You will find it increasingly easier to find what you are looking for.

Keep an eye out for local environmental groups that may be having plant sales and swaps. It is a great way to get plants that you know are for your area. These groups usually have good information to share as well. Some local events coming up are listed below.

Barnegat Bay Festival -June 5 2011 http://bbp.ocean.edu

D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Native Plant Nursery Spring Sale- April 29 & 30, 2011 www.drgreenway.org/nativeplants.html

Pineland Preservation Alliance Plant Sale- April 30, 2011 www.pinelandsalliance.org

Also the Littoral Society presenting a workshop on becoming a Shore Steward and using native plants in your landscape.

Bayscape Workshop

Saturday, April 30th 10:00 a.m.

Hammett’s Garden Center

Route 9, Forked River

Join Policy Advocate Helen Henderson and Bayscape Horticulturist Judy DeFiglio to learn about Barnegat Bay and the use of native plants in your yard. A presentation will be made to help you plan your Bayscape for Barnegat Bay garden and plants will be available for immediate purchase. Light refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP no later than April 27th. Wendy Kozak 609 709-8196 or e-mail: helen@littoralsociety.org

The American Littoral Society is pleased to welcome Hammett’s Garden Center as our first offical Bayscape nursery!

So there you have it- lots of opportunity to start your native plant garden this season.

Bayscape Blog 4/8/11

Let the Show Begin- Spring Flowering Natives

By Judy DeFiglio

After such a very long winter, I am sure we are all ready for the beautiful blooms of spring. While I will admit the flowers of the cherry and pear trees are a pretty sight, a late spring frost or April heat wave, which are common in our area, can quickly end the show on these non natives. In addition, the Bradford pear, once a highly recommended spring bloomer, is now considered an invasive species in several states. Besides, it can get pretty boring when every house on the block has a weeping cherry drooping in the front yard. Why not add some springtime flowering native shrubs to your landscape and really wow your neighbors?

Native trees and shrubs have adapted to our climate, so they are happier and healthier then the exotics brought into our area. This means less pests and diseases for the plant and less work for you. Most native plants do not require fertilizer or any additional water, once established, so they are a much better choice for the environment. All this and gorgeous blooms too. Need more? Most of these plants have a fantastic berry display later in the year. Still more? How about great fall color? That’s three seasons of interest in your garden.

Try some of these native spring blooming trees and shrubs:

Amelanchier Canadensis commonly called Serviceberry is a small tree that has white flowers in April followed by edible red fruit that turns blue in late summer. Good red fall color.

Aronia arbutifolia, the red chokeberry is large multi-stemmed shrub, six to ten feet tall. It grows in full sun to light shade and has lots of tiny white flowers in spring. The very prolific red berry display that arrives in fall, lasts well into the winter. Leaves turn a bright orange-red in autumn.

Cercis Canadensis, our eastern redbud(pictured), is a small tree that has deep rosy pink flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge . They really stand out against the bark that is almost black. Interesting heart shaped leaves turn yellow in autumn. This one is my favorite.

Kalmia latifolia or mountain laurel is a broadleaf evergreen with pink or white flowers in late spring. This is a good choice to replace the overused, non-native, azaleas and rhododendrons. Though there are several native rhododendrons that I do recommend you include in your landscape.

Vaccinium corymbosum, highbush blueberry, is often overlooked as a landscape plant. But it has white to pink bell-shaped flowers in spring, shiny dark green leaves that turn deep red in autumn and, of course, delicious blue berries in summer. They look great in a mass planting and your kids will have a ball picking the berries.

Viburnum dentatum commonly called arrowood is large shrub, up to ten feet tall and wide. Clusters of white flowers in late spring are followed by bluish black fruit. It has shiny dark green leaves that turn red in fall.