Why Plant Native?
Native plants are those that evolved in this area, adapting to the climate, soil, fauna, and other flora. So, they need less fertilizer, less water (except to get established and during a drought), less protection in winter, ... less attention. Some birds might depend on them to provide food for their young, or a nesting area. The food might be insects that feed on that plant. Often these relationships are exclusive.
Entomologist Doug Tallamy observed, if “‘80 percent of suburbia is landscaped with plants from Asia’ … entire food webs are disrupted.” (Doug Tallamy link is to a quick video.)
In the Feb/March 2015 issue of National Wildlife, the Backyard Habitat column was entitled,
“Why Birds Need Native Trees”
and focused on a “study to learn how nonnative, or exotic, trees in cities and suburbs
affect the availability of food birds need during the breeding season.”
One biologist was quoted as saying,
“Native trees such as oak produce more insect prey
than do non-native species such as crape myrtle and ginkgo.”
The author watched a Carolina chickadee travel past those trees
to get food for its young from a willow oak. (Quercus phellos)
From an email received Feb 19, 2016: Planning a Wildlife Garden? Let IDNR Resources Help!
Visit the newly revised "Native Plants" section on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Division of Education’s Web page at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/education/Pages/grants.aspx and try the "How to Plant and Maintain Native Plants" and "Native Habitat Descriptions, Requirements and Plant Lists" links. If you are thinking of planting a garden to benefit wildlife, let the information on these pages help you to get started. You may also want to review the For Your Garden pages at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/education/Pages/FYGMain.aspx and Habitat Helpers page at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/education/Pages/habitathelpers.aspx.
Visit the newly revised "Native Plants" section on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Division of Education’s Web page at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/education/Pages/grants.aspx and try the "How to Plant and Maintain Native Plants" and "Native Habitat Descriptions, Requirements and Plant Lists" links. If you are thinking of planting a garden to benefit wildlife, let the information on these pages help you to get started. You may also want to review the For Your Garden pages at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/education/Pages/FYGMain.aspx and Habitat Helpers page at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/education/Pages/habitathelpers.aspx.
... AND BUY LOCAL!
Our trees and shrubs generally come from Forrest Keeling, a nursery by St. Louis. Some trees are purchased from nurseries closer by - just south of Carbondale. That's local! This is important because these plants are adapted to the local climate. Trees from box stores (often pre-sprayed with insecticide) are mostly grown in Oregon or Tennessee. They would require some special attention as they adapt to their new home.