How Does Permaculture Support The Use Of Native Plants?

“I recently started experimenting with permaculture in my suburban garden here in Boulder, Colorado, and I’ve been wondering if I should incorporate more native plants. I’ve heard that permaculture supports the use of native plants, but I’m not entirely sure why or how it works. Can you explain how permaculture promotes using native species and what benefits they provide over other types of plants? I’m also curious about any potential challenges I might face along the way.” Thanks, Aaron, Boulder, USA.

Understanding Permaculture and Native Plants

Hey Aaron! It’s great to hear that you’re diving into the world of permaculture. Let me tell you, there’s something truly rewarding about working with nature instead of against it. One of the core principles of permaculture is to care for the earth, which often leads us toward using native plants. But why exactly are they so special?

The Connection Between Permaculture and Native Plants

Permaculture is all about creating sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystems. It encourages us to mimic natural systems, and what better way to do that than by incorporating plants that have already adapted to your local environment? Native plants are the wildlife superstars—they’ve spent centuries evolving to thrive in specific conditions, making them the natural choice for a low-maintenance, resilient garden.

Because permaculture aims to create self-perpetuating ecosystems, native plants are a perfect fit. They support local biodiversity, offer food and shelter to native insects and animals, and usually require far less water, fertilizer, and general fuss than non-native plants once they’re established. It’s like they come with their own built-in eco-support system.

Why Native Plants Are a Game-Changer

You might be thinking, “But what about all the exotic plants I love?” Don’t worry—you can still have a diverse range of plants in your garden! But let me give you the lowdown on why native plants should make up a good chunk of your permaculture landscape:

• Low Maintenance: Native plants are adapted to the local soil, climate, and rainfall, meaning they require less watering and fertilization. This makes them incredibly low-maintenance compared to their exotic counterparts.
• Supports Local Wildlife: Native plants provide food and habitat for local wildlife, from pollinators like bees and butterflies to larger species like birds and small mammals.
• Drought Resistance: Especially in areas prone to drought, native plants are often much more resilient. They’ve evolved to handle the ups and downs of your local climate without needing constant watering.
• Prevents Soil Erosion: Native plants often have deep root systems that help anchor the soil, reducing erosion and improving soil health over time.
• Preserves Local Ecosystems: The more native plants you grow, the more you contribute to conserving the local ecosystem—a true hallmark of permaculture.

How to Incorporate Native Plants in Your Permaculture Garden

All right, Aaron, let’s get practical! Integrating native plants into your permaculture garden doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing deal. Here’s how you can gradually bring them into your garden in a way that complements the other plants you love.

Start Small and Observe

It’s easy to get excited and want to revamp your entire garden, but permaculture teaches us to observe and interact first. Maybe start by adding a few native plants to one section of your garden and watch how they perform. How do they interact with the existing plants? What wildlife do they attract? By observing, you’ll gain valuable insights into how to expand your native plant collection.

Use Native Plants as the Backbone

A great strategy is to use native plants as the foundation of your permaculture garden, then fill in with other plants that might not be native but are still well-suited to your environment. For instance, you could plant native grasses or perennials that form the bulk of your garden, and then sprinkle in some of those exotic blooms you love as accents. This gives your garden a strong, resilient base while still allowing for creative freedom.

Focus on Native Plant Guilds

Permaculture loves the concept of plant guilds—groups of plants that work together to support each other. By choosing native species that naturally grow together, you can create powerful plant guilds in your garden. For example, here in Minnesota, we have a guild called the Three Sisters which includes corn, beans, and squash. Though it’s not strictly native to every part of the U.S., it uses plants that evolved together and therefore support each other really well.

You could build your own version of a plant guild using local natives, designed to maximize your garden’s health and productivity.

Challenges You Might Face

Nothing worth having comes easy, right? Using native plants in a permaculture setting is pretty straightforward, but like anything garden-related, there can be a few bumps along the road. Knowledge is power, Aaron, and knowing what to expect will help you troubleshoot as you go!

Understanding Native Plant Characteristics

One challenge might be understanding the specific needs and characteristics of your local natives. Some plants that are considered “native” might not be a great match for the kind of cultivation you’re hoping to achieve. For example, native wildflowers might be gorgeous, but they could struggle if plopped into a very formal garden bed.

Doing a little research on the plants you’re interested in before sticking them in the ground can save a lot of heartache. For instance, make sure you understand whether a certain native requires full sun or can tolerate a bit of shade. Placing your plants in the right spots is half the battle won.

Finding Native Plants

Another issue might be sourcing native plants. Not every nursery will carry them, and sometimes what’s marketed as “native” isn’t quite the real deal. Local plant sales, native plant societies, or specialized nurseries are usually your best bet. You might even find some options online if local sources are limited.

Balancing Biodiversity

And then there’s the question of biodiversity. Yes, native plants are excellent, but to create a truly stable system, you’ll want a mix of natives, edibles, support plants, and more. The challenge is balancing these while still giving native plants pride of place. It’d be helpful to grow plants that come from similar climates or regions and give a similar function as native plants—this way, they’ll work harmoniously together.

Troubleshooting Invasive Species Concerns

Now, Aaron, one thing you definitely don’t want is to inadvertently introduce invasive species into your garden. Unfortunately, many non-natives—no matter how pretty—can often turn into garden bullies, taking over space and nutrients at the expense of everything else. This can even outcompete your treasured native plants!

• Be Cautious with Introductions: Before adding any new plant, especially a non-native, double-check whether it’s considered invasive in your area. Local extension offices can be a great resource for this.
• Remove Aggressive Spreaders: Some native plants can also be aggressive, so it’s important to monitor their growth. Watch out for species with spreading rhizomes or prolific reseeders. If necessary, prune or remove them before they take over.
• Stay on Top of Weeding: Regular garden maintenance can stop invasive or aggressive plants from spreading too rapidly. Catching them early is key.
• Mulch with Care: Mulching is a wonderful way to reduce weeds, but make sure not to spread mulch directly over seeds or shoots of invasive plants, as it can inadvertently spread them.

Real-World Examples of Native Plant Success

Nothing drives the point home like real-world success stories! There’s a reason native plant gardens are increasingly popular among permaculture enthusiasts. Not only do these gardens offer sustainability and beauty, but they also heal the environment. Here are a few examples.

Rain Gardens Using Native Plants

Rain gardens have gained attention as an effective way to manage stormwater while adding beauty to a landscape. Native plants are perfect here because they can handle your region’s water extremes—whether that’s soaking up the rain or surviving periods of drought.

In Minnesota, for instance, we often plant native species such as swamp milkweed, blue-flag iris, and little bluestem in our rain gardens. These plants soak up excess water, preventing flooding, and because they’re native, they require little upkeep after establishment. And talk about a pollinator party—watching the bees buzz around these plants is like free entertainment!

Food Forests

A food forest is a layered garden that mimics a natural forest and produces food. Incorporating native plants can make your food forest even more resilient, increasing its biodiversity and making the entire system more self-sustaining.

For example, if you’re out in Colorado like you are, Aaron, adding native plants like chokecherries, serviceberries, and elderberries can provide both food and shelter for local wildlife while supplying you with some delicious, natural produce. Plus, these plants require minimal watering, even in your dry climate.

Restoring Urban Landscapes with Natives

In urban areas, native plants can help to restore damaged or polluted environments by improving soil quality and attracting local wildlife back into the area. It’s a great way to support community permaculture projects, whether it’s curbside planting, community gardens, or even converting vacant lots into thriving ecosystems.

An urban native planting can also serve as an educational tool, helping city dwellers learn more about their local environment. These plants bring nature right into the heart of bustling cities—a breathing mini-ecosystem that everyone can enjoy.

Quick Tip: Creating a Native Plant Calendar

A Native Plant Calendar is an excellent tool to help you stay organized and maximize your garden’s efficiency. This calendar would mark the important times to plant, prune, fertilize, and harvest your native species in sync with the local climate.

You can start by researching when each plant species in your permaculture garden comes to life—blooming, fruiting, seeding, etc. You could easily sync up your watering schedule, pest monitoring, and other gardening tasks with these natural rhythms, which will lead to a more harmonious system.

Final Thoughts…

Aaron, you’re on a wonderful journey by incorporating permaculture principles into your garden. By using native plants, you’re not only boosting the health and resiliency of your own space but also contributing to the wider ecosystem. Remember, start small, observe, and learn as you go. Your garden will soon become a beautiful, sustainable haven that reflects the natural beauty of Boulder.

Thanks for sending in your question—I’m excited for the great things you’ll accomplish with your permaculture garden!