The beauty of California… isn’t it why you’re here? It offers a variety of geography, from mountains to coasts, to deserts. And that diversity in geography manifests a diversity in the plants and animals that live here. That’s biodiversity.
California is one of the world’s greatest hotspots of biodiversity in plants, insects, and animals. It has 40% of the U.S.’s bee species, native bees, that is. Most of those pollinators need particular native plants to thrive. Native plants feed insects that feed birds. And provide habitat for them.
We all know of the decline of bees and other pollinators. And you may know of, or noticed, the decline in bird populations here and worldwide.
But there is one thing that really helps bring back the biodiversity that belongs here. And that is choosing to include native plants in our landscapes. In my articles Our Gardens Can Help the Bees More Than You Think and Save the Birds by Planting the Right Plants and Give the Best Gift to Our Children I describe how planting natives is very effective in preserving and even bringing back the biodiversity that belongs to this land we’re living on.
It’s the specific pollen, nectar, and foliage that native insects need. Because they evolved together. Which means regular landscaping plants don’t help.
Like the well-known relationship of the Monarch butterfly and its need for only milkweed foliage for the caterpillars.
Why biodiversity?
“Biodiversity is necessary for healthy ecosystems, without which we wouldn’t have a secure food supply, clean water, essential medicines, or ultimately a habitable climate. “~Natural Resources Defense Council
A biodiversity study from NatureServe.org showed that California is one of three regions in the U.S. with the highest risk for species extinction, both plants and animals.
To help counteract the decline in species, we must include native plants in our landscapes. Native plants to feed the native insects and all the animals they feed, and the birds and to provide habitat for them.
A study was done in Delaware that showed that bird populations drop when the native plant biomass drops below 70% in landscapes. So this number is a guideline for planning landscapes that support good biodiversity.
Enter AB 1573
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) introduced a bill to the California Legislature, AB 1573, to combat the loss of native plants and animals and their habitat to development. It requires the inclusion at least 75% of low-water native plants in public and commercial landscapes. Landscapes like highway plantings, corporate headquarters, parks, and government buildings.
The bill had a lot of public support and almost made it to the Senate floor vote, but opponents changed the definition of a California native plant to include non-native plants… plants that do not support California biodiversity. They were to be low-water and have pollinator benefits, but the native aspect of a plant is significant. It’s the ingredients of the pollen, the nectar, and the chemical composition of the foliage that support an ecosystem’s animals. Because they evolved together.
This was not the intention of the bill, so it has been tabled for the time being. Unfortunately.
Because wouldn’t it be nice to see more examples of the plants that represent California and how they can be used in landscapes? To see the butterflies they support, to smell those distinctive California scents that arise from them in the sun’s warmth?
Instead of looking at plants that come from anywhere else? And to know there is so much more food for the insects and birds who live here? And to become more familiar with what is native here where we are?
As landowners we can help
We don’t need to let weird little tricks interfere with each of us helping our local biodiversity. We can plant natives now. Fall is a great time to plant natives because the sun is easier on them and rains are coming (we hope).
Our local chapter of the (CNPS), the Redbud Chapter, is having their annual plant sale on Oct. 7th. It’s an online sale so you need to have their plant list and info. You can find that on their website here.
But aren’t natives “made to burn” and dead in the summer?
If you think natives will raise your fire risk or that they look dead in the summer, these ideas are wrong. Most of us don’t even know many native plants because they’ve been replaced in the wild/urban interface with non-native, invasive plants like Scotch broom, weedy grasses, and other annual weeds that are highly flammable, and Himalayan blackberries. Fire risks are abated by proper plant selection, spacing, and maintenance.
Many of our local native plants do make beautiful landscape plants. And they make landscapes that attract and feed wild birds, native insects/pollinators, and give us a clearer picture of what our natural environment in this part of California is like.
And many are low-water so we can be prepared for the next drought that comes along. And are highly adapted to our soils, so you can forget about amending soil.
Take a look at Calscape.org and type in your address and you’ll find the natives for your exact spot. Or use your zip code to get your larger area. Pick a few out plants and check the plant sale list to get you started.
I just moved into a new house that needs a total landscape makeover. I will be designing it with 70% natives along with vegetables, culinary herbs, and cutting flowers. I’ll document my process to help you with ideas. You can follow the process by subscribing to my newsletter. Find the signup on the Home page. Or if you want ideas now, reach out to me at mydelightfulgardens@gmail.com.
Photo credit: Nancy Gilbert of the Redbud Chapter of the CPNS.
This is a really well written and very informative article and thanks for getting the word out about the importance of having at least 70% natives in the landscape.
Thank you for your comment!
Hi Doreen
May I share this article with members of the Placer Co Planning Dep’t. staff?
Thanks,
Of course! I’d love for people to share it. Thank you so much! And sorry for the delay in responding, I don’t log into the website often enough.