Tue. Aug 5th, 2025

The Best Garden Designs Mix Cultivars and Native Plants


If a cultivar supports wildlife and gives you the look and other characteristics you want in your yard, that is a good option.  When developing a planting plan, native cultivars are favored over cultivars of exotic species because they continue the characteristics of the parent plant that contribute to a vibrant healthy environment and support wildlife diversity.

For example: Native trees such as white oak, river birch, and cypress host a wide variety of insects. Songbirds and other animals feed on the bugs in a biodiverse habitat. Non-natives like Japanese maple or Chinese cherry trees don’t offer these bountiful food sources. 

We wouldn’t think of excluding exotics because they make a tremendous contribution to the beauty and variety of a landscape. We simply try to balance the number of “guests” in our landscapes with those that naturally provide food and shelter for pollinators and otherwise contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

Related Post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *