Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
Plants: In previous "Ask the Landscape Professional" articles, you mentioned that Sprigs & Twigs uses a lot of native plants. Just what is a native plant?
Answer
Thank you that is a good question. A native plant
is one that evolved naturally and was growing in
North America prior to European settlement in
the 17th century. These plants have evolved and
adapted over thousands of years in harmony
with distinct communities of microorganisms,
insects, mammals, fish and birds. Birds,
butterflies, bees, beneficial insects and other
animals prefer native plants for food, shelter and
nesting places. The variety of birds, insects and
animals attracted to native plants provide natural pest, disease and weed control in our
landscapes. Native plants also play a role in attracting these creatures back into our
landscapes as pollinators. Native plants require less resources and maintenance to
thrive.When I design gardens, I always try to incorporate native plants into the design.
There are many great choices available for a variety of garden habitats. As always, the
key to a good garden design is putting the right plant in the right location, so you must
do your homework and know your plants. To help you in learning native plants, Sprigs
& Twigs has produced a high quality, glossy, 44 card set (the same size as baseball
cards), called "Native Plants of Connecticut-Perennial Series" that shows a picture of
the plant on the front and a complete description of characteristics on the back. There
will be other native plant series in the future, e.g., "Shrubs", "Trees", etc. The set comes
in a plastic case.
If you would like to have a set, you can pick one up at our office in Gales
Ferry for $11.95 + tax, or call us at 860-235-0752 with a credit card and we can mail
one to you for $14.95.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
