For us here at Scenic Roots, a native plant is one indigenous to North America before the colonists arrived. We broadly define this as a “North American Native Plant.” There are more specific definitions which can include the northeastern United States, or New England, or simply native to Cape Cod.

Defining a plant as “native”, does not guarantee success in your garden. We must follow the firm principal of “right plant, right location.” What are the light requirements? Does it need 6-8 hours of full sun to stand up right and flower reliably? How much water does it need once established? Does it prefer wet feet, or can it withstand a prolonged dry spell? Does it like sandy loam, or clay? For example, Eragrostis spectabilis, Purple Love Grass, is a sturdy and stout ornamental grass native to Eastern and Central North America. It grows well in a variety of soils but requires full sun. This will not do well in your moist, woodland garden that receives only 3 hours of morning sun in the heat of summer.

Why Choose Natives?

Perhaps the most pressing question of the day is “Why Choose Natives?” Native plants support our natural ecosystems, supplying food and habitat for local wildlife. Some native insects are highly specialized, meaning they rely on a specific plant for food. Your butterfly garden can be attractive to more varieties if you include host plants for their larvae. Native insects rely on native plants for sustainability. Common Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium dubium) offers a tall alternative to Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) for nectaring butterflies, and host over three dozen species of Lepidoptera. Butterfly Bush supports only one of North America’s seven hundred twenty-five butterfly species. In turn, butterfly larvae provide food for our native songbirds. Chickadees need to feed their young 500 – 600 caterpillars per day during the nesting season.

What about other plant Pollinators?

Another important question is “Do I have to have only native plants to make a difference?” Absolutely not! Aim for seventy percent of your yard to be native, including “nativars” (cultivated varieties of native species). There is no reason you shouldn’t plant a striking, ornamental evergreen like a Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) in a bed with Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) and Coastal Doghobble (Leucothoe axillaris). Besides, do you really want to see Cape Cod without our famous Blue Hydrangea? Can you imagine?

A word on non-natives, or as we like to call them, “Introduced species.” The plant was introduced to North America after the colonists arrived. This was not for malicious intent, but to add beauty for various reasons. Some people wanted to collect and grow plants from exotic lands in their gardens. There were practical reasons as well. The Multi Flora Rose (Rosa multiflora) was introduced from Japan in the 1930’s as a way to control soil erosion and an attractive living fence. Unfortunately, in less than 20 years, it had become an aggressive and invasive weed. Introduced does NOT mean invasive, there is a difference. An “Invasive” plant is one that chokes out and destroys native wildlife and vegetation.

Whether your definition of native plants means North American Native, New England Native, Cape Cod Native, or simply the straight species of native plants, we have you covered! We offer a large selection of Native Perennials, Grasses, and Shrubs to help you create a backyard, wildlife oasis.

So, the Question is:

What is Native to you? Is it also native to North America, or does it have to be to New England only? Or even more specific, native to the Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens on which we live, here on Cape Cod? Or are you looking just for pollinators? We have you covered! We have taken care to offer you a selection of North American native plants that grow well here along with hundreds of pollinator plants. Plants for the landscape, for naturalizing and even for your containers. All to invite biodiversity!

Want to learn more? Our staff recommends the following:

Tallamy, Douglas W. (2019) Nature’s Best Hope

Tallamy, Douglas W. (2007) Bringing Nature Home

Tallamy, Douglas W. (2021) The Nature of Oaks

Lorimer, Uli (2022) The Northeast Native Plant Primer

Richardson, M. and Jaffe, D. (2018) Native Plants of New England

About • Nursery • Container Gardening • Farm Stand • Events + Workshops

349 Route 6A
East Sandwich, MA 02537
Phone: (508) 888-0044
scenicrootsgardencenter@gmail.com

HOURS:

Sunday 9:00-4:00
Monday-Saturday 8:30-4:00

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Scenic Roots Garden Center is located on historic Route 6A in Sandwich on beautiful Cape Cod. Our family-owned nursery and garden center is open year-round. We offer landscape design services, on-site plants and products for your yard and garden, a seasonal farm stand, gardening workshops, and garden-themed social events. From flowers to shrubs to wild bird products, you are sure to find the perfect items on your next visit. From Plymouth to Provincetown, Falmouth to Chatham, we hope you stop by Scenic Roots on scenic Route 6A.