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10 Native Restoration Plants | TN Nursery

by Bilal Iqbal – July 18, 2022

10 Native Plants for Ecological Resilience

Native plant restoration is crucial in enhancing the health and biodiversity of ecosystems impacted by human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation. These plants are adapted to the local environment, providing a range of benefits, including habitat for wildlife, erosion control, soil stabilization, and water filtration. This article will explore ten native restoration plants essential for rebuilding and preserving ecosystems, ensuring their ecological resilience and long-term sustainability.

1. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)Milkweed is well-known for its role in supporting monarch butterfly populations. Monarch caterpillars exclusively feed on milkweed, making it an indispensable plant for their survival. Besides benefiting monarchs, milkweed also supports a variety of other pollinators, making it a cornerstone of pollinator-friendly landscapes.

2. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Switchgrass is a native grass species with a remarkable ability to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Its extensive root system holds the ground together, making it particularly useful for restoring areas with degraded soils, such as abandoned agricultural lands. Switchgrass also provides habitat for various insects and small animals.

3. Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) The Eastern Redcedar is a hardy, evergreen tree that thrives in diverse environments. It is essential for restoring poor soil quality, as it is adaptable to different soil types. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shelter for birds and other wildlife, contributing to the overall ecosystem health.

4. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) Black-eyed Susan is a vibrant flowering plant that adds color and beauty to restored landscapes. Beyond its visual appeal, it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.

5. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) The Bald Cypress is a wetland-loving tree excellent for restoring riparian zones and wetland ecosystems. It helps regulate water levels, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for waterfowl and aquatic species. The "knees" that protrude from the roots of the tree help oxygenate the saturated soils of its native habitat.

6. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Another native grass species, Big Bluestem, is a significant component of tallgrass prairies. Its deep roots improve soil structure, making it useful for soil stabilization and erosion control. Moreover, it offers habitat and food sources for birds and small mammals, contributing to the overall biodiversity of restored areas.

7. Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) Red Osier Dogwood is a shrub often found in wetlands and riparian zones. Its bright red branches add visual interest year-round, and it serves a vital role in preventing streambank erosion. The shrub's berries provide food for birds during colder months, making it a valuable plant for wildlife conservation.

8. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Wild Bergamot, or Bee Balm, is a native flowering plant that attracts various pollinators. Its aromatic leaves contain compounds that make it resistant to deer browsing, making it a durable choice for restoration projects in areas with high herbivore pressure. It's also used in traditional herbal medicine.

9. Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus) Native to the western United States, Rocky Mountain Penstemon is well-suited for dry, rocky soils. Its showy purple flowers are visually appealing and attract pollinators like bees. This plant's ability to thrive in challenging conditions makes it an asset in restoring arid landscapes.

10. White Oak (Quercus alba) White Oak is a majestic tree with a broad ecological impact. Its acorns are a food source for numerous wildlife species, and its dense canopy provides shade and habitat. White Oak's deep roots help prevent soil erosion and support a diverse community of insects, fungi, and mammals.In an era marked by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and climate change, the importance of preserving and restoring natural ecosystems cannot be overstated.

Ecosystems provide many benefits, including clean air and water, climate regulation, biodiversity preservation, and recreational opportunities

However, many ecosystems have been degraded or destroyed due to human activities. One practical and sustainable approach to ecosystem restoration is using native plants.

Native plants naturally occur in a specific region, having evolved over thousands of years to adapt to the local climate, soil conditions, and wildlife interactions. They play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and functionality of ecosystems. When introduced into degraded areas, native plants can initiate a cascade of positive effects contributing to ecosystem recovery. Native plants provide essential food sources and habitats for insects, birds, and other animals that have coevolved with them. It, in turn, supports the entire food chain, from insects to larger predators.

Non-native plants often lack these intricate relationships and can disrupt an ecosystem's delicate web of interactions. Additionally, native plants are well-suited to the local environment, requiring minimal maintenance once established. They have adapted to their region's specific soil and climate conditions, making them more resilient to droughts, floods, and other extreme events. This adaptability reduces the need for extensive irrigation, fertilization, and pest control measures, often necessary for non-native species. In the realm of water management, native plants offer significant benefits.

Moreover, these root systems increase soil permeability, allowing rainwater to infiltrate the ground and recharge groundwater supplies. This natural water management system helps mitigate the impacts of floods and droughts while improving water quality by filtering pollutants. When restoring ecosystems using native plants, careful consideration of plant selection and site preparation is paramount.

Restoration practitioners must identify plant species well-suited to the specific ecosystem, considering soil type, sunlight availability, and hydrological conditions. Using local seed sources or nursery-grown plants from nearby regions can enhance the genetic diversity and resilience of the restored ecosystem. Successful ecosystem restoration with native plants often requires a long-term perspective. Unlike quick-fix solutions, these projects may take several years to develop and display their benefits entirely. Patience is vital as native plants gradually establish themselves, create habitat niches, and attract diverse wildlife.

Community involvement is also crucial for the success of native plant restoration projects

Engaging residents, schools, and community groups in planting and caring for native vegetation fosters a sense of stewardship and connection to the restored ecosystem. It educates people about the importance of native plants and their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

In conclusion, restoring ecosystems through native plants is a robust and sustainable approach to counteracting the impacts of human activities on the environment. Native plants contribute to biodiversity conservation, soil stabilization, water management, and wildlife habitat restoration. By mimicking nature's processes and relying on the resilience of locally adapted species, we can heal the wounds inflicted on our ecosystems and ensure a more balanced and vibrant natural world for future generations.

However, successful restoration requires collaboration, careful planning, and a commitment to long-term monitoring and maintenance. Conclusion Restoring ecosystems through native plants is critical to preserving biodiversity and fostering ecological resilience.

Each of the ten native plants mentioned above contributes uniquely to the health and functionality of ecosystems, whether by supporting pollinators, preventing erosion, providing habitat, or enhancing soil quality. By incorporating these plants into restoration efforts, we play a role in safeguarding the natural world for current and future generations.

 

 

Products from the article

Milkweed Plant - TN Nursery

Milkweed Plant

Milkweed plant is known for attracting monarchs, the milkweed plant is a native perennial that has clusters of showy, pink to mauve flowers and lance-shaped leaves, attracting a host of pollinators while thriving in moist, wetland habitats. They boast numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Its unique features contribute to outdoor spaces' aesthetic appeal and ecological value. With clusters of vibrant and captivating flowers, it adds a burst of color and charm to gardens while also serving as a vital component in supporting local ecosystems. The Common Milkweed is the plant that most people think of when the term ‘milkweed’ comes to mind. It is a tall plant that is noted for its pink to purple flowers. It’s one of 115 species of plants of the Asclepiadaceae family. The genus Asclepias is named after Asklepios, who was the Greek god of medicine. This is appropriate because it is known for containing high levels of cardiac glycosides, which are used in some treatments for heart disease. This same substance also serves as the only source for Monarch butterfly larvae. Where Does Milkweed Grow? It is native to the midwestern and eastern regions of the United States and Canada, but it can be found further west as well. It is most commonly found in more open habitats like pastures, prairies, fields, and along roadsides. It needs total sun to grow but can tolerate being under light shade as well. You’ll normally find it commonly clustered together into large patches, which are called colonies. Description of Milkweed It can grow to be over five feet tall. The foliage can grow up to 8 inches, elongated nearly four inches wide, and is somewhat thick. The upper part of the oval-shaped leaves is usually darker greenish in color, while the underside of the leaves is a much lighter green and sometimes even white. Both the leaves and the stems will reveal a milky latex when they are cut. The flowers themselves can grow to be nearly an inch long and half an inch wide with a midrib that runs beneath them. They have a pink to purple coloring over them with a greenish tint and are very sweetly scented. Why Gardeners Like Milkweed The pink-to-purple colors contrast well against lush green fields and dry yellow prairies alike. Gardeners like it for its distinctive appearance and sweet, fragrant aromas. Another reason why gardeners often like it is that it serves as the host plant for the beautiful monarch butterfly. These butterflies will lay their eggs on it, and as mentioned previously, the nectar also serves as the only source of food for the Monarch larvae. Gardeners who like monarch butterflies or are otherwise concerned about their declining population can grow it to provide these butterflies with a natural habitat. The Milkweed plant is a flowering perennial named for its cardenolide-bearing latex, which is beneficial to butterflies and other insects. Monarch butterflies use and require specific species, including Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata, as host plants. Their genus name, Asclepias, honors Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine.  Asclepias contains hundreds of species native to Africa, North America, and South America. Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are native to the American continents and common across the central and eastern United States. The sun-loving Asclepias syriaca grows naturally in fields, prairies, and pastures, while Asclepias incarnata grows along creeks, ponds, and bogs. Their flowers typically bloom from June through August. Asclepias produces complex blossoms that have similarities to orchids. Their large, spherical clusters of five-petaled blossoms are found at the top of it's thick stems. Each Asclepias growth usually carries two to five clusters of flowers. The individual blossoms are about three-quarters of an inch long and emit a strong, sweet fragrance. Asclepias syriaca has greenish-pink to rosy pink blooms, while Asclepias incarnata's flowers tend toward a brighter purplish-pink hue. It can grow up to five feet tall. Their thick, bright green leaves are six to eight inches long and two to three-and-one-half inches wide. The leaves' upper surfaces are darker than their whitish undersides. In nature and in landscapes, Asclepias plants form colonies and need room to spread out. Asclepias incarnata is highly ornamental and fairly easily contained, making it well-suited to perennial, butterfly, and pollinator gardens. Asclepias syriaca works well in meadow gardens without defined borders. They grow easily from seed and spread as their rhizomes expand. They can be propagated in the late fall or early spring. Ecology Of Milkweed Plant Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are the required food sources for monarch butterflies, beetles, moths, and other insects that evolved to feed on their nectar. In the midwestern and northeastern regions of the United States, their leaves are the most important source of nourishment for monarch caterpillars, and their presence helps to fortify and increase monarch populations. Planting Milkweed Plant Will Bring the Butterflies to Your Garden If you want to encourage monarch butterflies and other pollinators to make your garden home, you'll surely want to add Asclepias to your landscape.
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Black Eyed Susan - TN Nursery

Black Eyed Susan

Black Eyed Susan has vibrant yellow petals and dark, contrasting centers, is a popular and delightful addition to any landscaping project. This native North American wildflower offers a host of pleasing attributes that make it a sought-after choice for gardens and outdoor spaces. From its adaptability to its visual appeal and ecological benefits, it stands out as a versatile and attractive plant. Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a type of long-flowering Rudbeckia in the aster family Asteraceae. It's also called "brown Betty," and "gloriosa daisy." This upright, fast-growing plant is native to eastern and central North America, with angustifolia, Florida, hirta, and pulcherrima varieties growing in separate regions of the continental United States. Their yellow and gold blossoms tend to bloom from June until after the first frost. Black eyed Susans: Cultivation If you're looking for a flower that's versatile enough to grow well in everything from containers to flower beds to more naturalistic landscapes, they are the perfect choice. Their bright, cheery, and prolific blooms are attractive in garden borders, butterfly and wildflower gardens, and meadow plantings. They also make beautiful cut flowers with a vase life of up to ten days. Black eyed Susans: Size, Shape, and Color Most varieties grow 1'–3¼' tall and 1'–1½' wide. Their long, bristly leaves grow near the base of the plant, while their daisy-like flowers rise high above the foliage. Each 2"–4" wide blossom features eight to thirty yellow-gold florets that radiate from a dark brown, black, or greenish-colored cone-shaped seed dome. Black eyed Susans: Pollinators and Birds To attract pollinators like butterflies and bees throughout the summer, be sure to include black eyed Susans in your landscaping plan. These flowers are also loved by mosquito-eating dragonflies and birds. Pollinators enjoy the flowers' nectar as they move from plant to plant, causing them to grow seeds that birds eat in winter. When left alone, their seed pods usually dry out and disperse nearby, which may open areas and roadsides with new flowers the following year. Black eyed Susans: Longevity Some varieties will start to flower the same year, in June, while others bloom later. Removing faded flowers, also called "deadheading," can prolong the blooming season. However you select and maintain your plants, you're sure to love the way they brighten your garden.
$6.99
$6.99
Milkweed Plant - TN Nursery

Milkweed Plant

Milkweed plant is known for attracting monarchs, the milkweed plant is a native perennial that has clusters of showy, pink to mauve flowers and lance-shaped leaves, attracting a host of pollinators while thriving in moist, wetland habitats. They boast numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Its unique features contribute to outdoor spaces' aesthetic appeal and ecological value. With clusters of vibrant and captivating flowers, it adds a burst of color and charm to gardens while also serving as a vital component in supporting local ecosystems. The Common Milkweed is the plant that most people think of when the term ‘milkweed’ comes to mind. It is a tall plant that is noted for its pink to purple flowers. It’s one of 115 species of plants of the Asclepiadaceae family. The genus Asclepias is named after Asklepios, who was the Greek god of medicine. This is appropriate because it is known for containing high levels of cardiac glycosides, which are used in some treatments for heart disease. This same substance also serves as the only source for Monarch butterfly larvae. Where Does Milkweed Grow? It is native to the midwestern and eastern regions of the United States and Canada, but it can be found further west as well. It is most commonly found in more open habitats like pastures, prairies, fields, and along roadsides. It needs total sun to grow but can tolerate being under light shade as well. You’ll normally find it commonly clustered together into large patches, which are called colonies. Description of Milkweed It can grow to be over five feet tall. The foliage can grow up to 8 inches, elongated nearly four inches wide, and is somewhat thick. The upper part of the oval-shaped leaves is usually darker greenish in color, while the underside of the leaves is a much lighter green and sometimes even white. Both the leaves and the stems will reveal a milky latex when they are cut. The flowers themselves can grow to be nearly an inch long and half an inch wide with a midrib that runs beneath them. They have a pink to purple coloring over them with a greenish tint and are very sweetly scented. Why Gardeners Like Milkweed The pink-to-purple colors contrast well against lush green fields and dry yellow prairies alike. Gardeners like it for its distinctive appearance and sweet, fragrant aromas. Another reason why gardeners often like it is that it serves as the host plant for the beautiful monarch butterfly. These butterflies will lay their eggs on it, and as mentioned previously, the nectar also serves as the only source of food for the Monarch larvae. Gardeners who like monarch butterflies or are otherwise concerned about their declining population can grow it to provide these butterflies with a natural habitat. The Milkweed plant is a flowering perennial named for its cardenolide-bearing latex, which is beneficial to butterflies and other insects. Monarch butterflies use and require specific species, including Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata, as host plants. Their genus name, Asclepias, honors Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine.  Asclepias contains hundreds of species native to Africa, North America, and South America. Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are native to the American continents and common across the central and eastern United States. The sun-loving Asclepias syriaca grows naturally in fields, prairies, and pastures, while Asclepias incarnata grows along creeks, ponds, and bogs. Their flowers typically bloom from June through August. Asclepias produces complex blossoms that have similarities to orchids. Their large, spherical clusters of five-petaled blossoms are found at the top of it's thick stems. Each Asclepias growth usually carries two to five clusters of flowers. The individual blossoms are about three-quarters of an inch long and emit a strong, sweet fragrance. Asclepias syriaca has greenish-pink to rosy pink blooms, while Asclepias incarnata's flowers tend toward a brighter purplish-pink hue. It can grow up to five feet tall. Their thick, bright green leaves are six to eight inches long and two to three-and-one-half inches wide. The leaves' upper surfaces are darker than their whitish undersides. In nature and in landscapes, Asclepias plants form colonies and need room to spread out. Asclepias incarnata is highly ornamental and fairly easily contained, making it well-suited to perennial, butterfly, and pollinator gardens. Asclepias syriaca works well in meadow gardens without defined borders. They grow easily from seed and spread as their rhizomes expand. They can be propagated in the late fall or early spring. Ecology Of Milkweed Plant Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are the required food sources for monarch butterflies, beetles, moths, and other insects that evolved to feed on their nectar. In the midwestern and northeastern regions of the United States, their leaves are the most important source of nourishment for monarch caterpillars, and their presence helps to fortify and increase monarch populations. Planting Milkweed Plant Will Bring the Butterflies to Your Garden If you want to encourage monarch butterflies and other pollinators to make your garden home, you'll surely want to add Asclepias to your landscape.
$7.99
$7.99
Black Eyed Susan - TN Nursery

Black Eyed Susan

Black Eyed Susan has vibrant yellow petals and dark, contrasting centers, is a popular and delightful addition to any landscaping project. This native North American wildflower offers a host of pleasing attributes that make it a sought-after choice for gardens and outdoor spaces. From its adaptability to its visual appeal and ecological benefits, it stands out as a versatile and attractive plant. Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a type of long-flowering Rudbeckia in the aster family Asteraceae. It's also called "brown Betty," and "gloriosa daisy." This upright, fast-growing plant is native to eastern and central North America, with angustifolia, Florida, hirta, and pulcherrima varieties growing in separate regions of the continental United States. Their yellow and gold blossoms tend to bloom from June until after the first frost. Black eyed Susans: Cultivation If you're looking for a flower that's versatile enough to grow well in everything from containers to flower beds to more naturalistic landscapes, they are the perfect choice. Their bright, cheery, and prolific blooms are attractive in garden borders, butterfly and wildflower gardens, and meadow plantings. They also make beautiful cut flowers with a vase life of up to ten days. Black eyed Susans: Size, Shape, and Color Most varieties grow 1'–3¼' tall and 1'–1½' wide. Their long, bristly leaves grow near the base of the plant, while their daisy-like flowers rise high above the foliage. Each 2"–4" wide blossom features eight to thirty yellow-gold florets that radiate from a dark brown, black, or greenish-colored cone-shaped seed dome. Black eyed Susans: Pollinators and Birds To attract pollinators like butterflies and bees throughout the summer, be sure to include black eyed Susans in your landscaping plan. These flowers are also loved by mosquito-eating dragonflies and birds. Pollinators enjoy the flowers' nectar as they move from plant to plant, causing them to grow seeds that birds eat in winter. When left alone, their seed pods usually dry out and disperse nearby, which may open areas and roadsides with new flowers the following year. Black eyed Susans: Longevity Some varieties will start to flower the same year, in June, while others bloom later. Removing faded flowers, also called "deadheading," can prolong the blooming season. However you select and maintain your plants, you're sure to love the way they brighten your garden.
$6.99
$6.99
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