Why grow native plants
Imagine all the species in the world — all the animals, birds, reptiles, insects, fungi, plants, and us too — are on an airplane. One-by-one we start taking bolts off that airplane. At some point that plane is going to fall apart, with us on it.
— paraphrased from TreePeople.org Instagram video
The loss of one particular species could be that final “bolt” that causes the “plane” to come apart.
That’s why it’s important to provide homes/habitat for the plants and critters which are native to your specific location.
TreePeople is doing this restoration work in the mountains around the L.A. basin. But the basin itself — that’s up to us, the gardeners. Our choices are important.
Rather than reaching for any “California native plant” — or hybridized derivatives of native plants — grow the plants which belonged in the spot where your land is located.
How to find them:
- search CalScape for your address. Their site will generate a plant list
- also read Las Pilitas and know your plant community
Want to learn more? I’ve been taking the classes of Nicholas Hummingbird — an amazing mind-shifting experience.
