I'm a newbie gardener and I've been reading a lot about the importance of using native plants for the benefit of local wildlife and pollinators. I totally understand why this is recommended. However, I tend to be drawn to a lot of non-native plants that I see in stores. I'm curious—how bad is it really to plant a few non-natives in my garden? I want to know if I can mix them in as long as they're not invasive. Do you think sticking solely to native plants is the best approach, or is there a way to achieve a balance?
1 Answer
Don't worry too much about the 'native-only' crowd! As long as you steer clear of invasive plants that can wreak havoc in your area, you should be just fine. I've mixed some non-natives into my garden, and they coexist well with the natives. One word of caution: native plants can spread quickly, so keep an eye on them too!
Yeah, it can definitely feel overwhelming for newcomers! It's all about finding what works for your garden.