Are straight species of native plants always the best choice for home gardens? Can cultivars of native plants (nativars) provide adequate support for wildlife? To answer these questions, Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills has conducted research on past and on-going studies comparing native plants and their cultivars from the standpoint of garden performance, visits by pollinators, and use as larval host plants, and she summarizes her findings in this presentation. Included is information from:
- a study of woody plants by Dr. Douglas Tallamy and Emily Baisden;
- the Bees, Bugs & Blooms pollinator trial by Penn State Extension;
- field trials of herbaceous plants by Dr. Annie White;
- multi-year trials of native plants and cultivars conducted at Mt. Cuba;
- and the Garden Ecology Lab study at Oregon State University.
Video of Presentation
Definitions
- Species: Genetically distinct plant form found in the wild in a particular geographic region
- Cultivar: Cultivated variety named and introduced into the horticulture trade
- Can be a “discovery” of a naturally occurring mutation within a species
- Can be produced through selective breeding for desired traits
- Hybrid: New plant resulting from cross-pollination between two species in the same genus
Resources
Detailed Class Handout – pdf
Addendum with answers to questions raised in the presentation – pdf