Ok, so you\u2019ve heard the word that native plants are \u201cin,\u201d and you need more of them in your garden. But what about native cultivars vs. straight species native plants? Research in this burgeoning field is in its early stages, but there are results worth noting. We\u2019ll break down each of these terms to help you decide which is better for your landscape.<\/p>
A native plant<\/a> is a plant whose ancestors have lived in and adapted to the local area over hundreds or thousands of years. These plants reproduce naturally and remain unaltered by human plant breeding.<\/p> Native plants have adapted to local weather patterns, such as rainfall and drought; high and low temperatures; and soil conditions. In other words, they\u2019re right at home in your area.<\/p> Before we get into why native cultivars and straight species matter, let\u2019s define a few terms.<\/p> Who needs two words when one will do? Cultivar<\/em> is short for cultivated variety<\/em>. <\/p> Most cultivars<\/a> are a result of intentional plant breeding efforts by humans, by cross-pollinating<\/a> or genetic modification (the latter is only used on a few food crops at this time). Why? To develop characteristics that make the plant more beautiful or hardy, such as: <\/p> Some native cultivars are the result of open-pollination or natural mutation, not human breeding. <\/p> This is a native plant that you\u2019d find in the wild or directly descended from a wild plant. It has not been altered by human plant breeding and is open-pollinated.<\/p> Example: <\/p> A native cultivar is a plant that is native to your area but has been cultivated (see definition above) by humans for a desirable trait(s). You could think of it as a cultivar of a native.<\/p> Native plant cultivars are often called nativars<\/em> for short. (Botanists clearly prefer one word over two.)<\/p> Example: <\/p> Why all the hubbub? Researchers, including respected University of Delaware entomologist Doug Tallamy and University of Vermont graduate and landscape architect Annie White, have produced intriguing research that asks the question, \u201cHow do local insects interact with straight species native plants vs. native cultivars<\/a>?\u201d <\/p> The answers are complex and need further research. However, based on recent research by Tallamy<\/a> and White<\/a>, pollinators and insect herbivores show a preference for straight, unaltered species most of the time.<\/p> Here are a few more things to consider about the differences between nativars and straight species native plants.<\/p> Straight species cultivars are a boon both to local genetic diversity and biodiversity, while native cultivars produce more of a cookie-cutter plant. Nativars are bred when humans cross-pollinate native plants and then propagate them, which is done vegetatively via cuttings, division, or tissue culture. This means each plant is a clone of the parent plant. Open-pollinated plants<\/a>, such as straight species natives, are not clones and provide greater genetic diversity among the species and for local ecosystems. <\/p> This genetic variability strengthens the species because the genetic differences give it a wide base from which to draw over time. Clones have less genetic diversity and are more susceptible to being wiped out by disease, weather, or adverse conditions. Local insects, which we rely on to pollinate one-third of our crops, in turn, rely on a resilient ecosystem of plants for food, nesting sites, and shelter.<\/p> Straight species, in general, are your best bet. However, there is other research to consider if you can\u2019t always find straight species. <\/p> Recent research by Tallamy shows that among 10 varieties of woody plants and a nativar equivalent, nativars with altered leaf color (purple, red, or blue leaves) had less insect consumption than native plants with unaltered leaf color. Nativars with variegated leaves had greater amounts of insect consumption than non-variegated leaves on the straight species. <\/p> Other studies that have looked at insect feeding and variegated leaves have reached different conclusions, however. The researchers in Tallamy\u2019s study hypothesized that this may have been necessary for the insects to receive an adequate amount of nutrition, since variegated leaves have less chlorophyll. <\/p> Conclusion:<\/strong> Choose natives or nativars with unaltered leaf color, as insects seem to favor these over plants with altered leaf color.<\/p> Research by White has shown that nativars that most closely resemble straight species are more likely to be valued by local pollinators than those with different characteristics. Use nativars cautiously and avoid plants with these traits<\/a>:<\/p> Additional petals and double flowers, for example, often make it difficult or impossible for pollinators to collect nectar or pollen. In some of these nativars, the structures that contain pollen and nectar are not present.<\/p> Similarly, some nativars are sterile, which means that they do not provide fruits or seeds for birds or pollinators to eat. Keep these tips in mind if you are designing a pollinator-friendly garden<\/a>.<\/p> Conclusion:<\/strong> Stick with straight species, or with nativars that closely resemble them, for the highest wildlife value and ecological function.<\/p> Pro Tip:<\/strong> Ensure your plants have not been treated with neonicotinoids or insecticides. Research is ongoing as to how or if these chemicals affect pollinator populations.<\/p> Native plants, whether nativars or straight species, almost always win the day over non-native plants. Don\u2019t worry, though. You don\u2019t have to eliminate nativars or non-native plants completely. <\/p> Stay away from flowers with the traits mentioned above (double flowers and so forth), and incorporate plants with a natural leaf color for the best results. And ask other local native enthusiasts which plants attract pollinators in their garden.<\/p> More research is needed to explore this topic, but for now, let the preliminary research guide your plant decisions.<\/p> —Sign up for email alerts<\/span> <\/strong> Some common places to buy native plants include: Unless you participate in a plant rescue field trip with a local plant society, the answer is usually no. Taking plants from the wild is almost never a good idea: 1) It is illegal in many areas, and 2) it may do ecological harm.\u00a0 If you\u2019re too busy sourcing native plants for your new pollinator garden, let one of our <\/em>local lawn care pros<\/em><\/a> take lawn mowing off your to-do list. <\/em><\/p> What are cultivars and species?<\/span><\/h2>
Cultivar<\/span><\/h3>
Straight species<\/span><\/h3>
Native cultivar<\/span><\/h3>
Why does it matter?<\/span><\/h2>
Biodiversity<\/span><\/h3>
Food for insects and wildlife<\/span><\/h3>
Stick with native and natural plants<\/span><\/h2>
FAQ about nativars and straight species native plants<\/span><\/h2>