Brighton resident Lee Caine is organizing the Genesee Land Trust's Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 22. The Post asked her some questions about native plants.
Why is buying native plants important?
“Native plants have evolved with native wildlife, insects and other living organisms into natural ecosystems. They provide food, nesting places, shelter and are often part of an organism’s lifecycle. As native to our region, they are hardy — adapted to our climate and soil conditions. Many native trees and shrubs are beautiful throughout the seasons and the wildflowers enhance our gardens and woodlands ... Non-native plants can be used to add interest to our gardens as well, but one should learn which non-natives are particularly invasive — spreading and crowding out beneficial species, destroying the natural ecosystem — and avoid planting them.”
What are your favorite native plants?
“For trees and shrubs: Serviceberry, American mountain ash, sugar maple, hemlock, blackhaw viburnum, dwarf fothergilla. Perennials: bee balm, columbine, wood poppy, coneflowers, joe pye weed and lobelia.”
What advice can you give to a new gardener in the area?
“Learn what type of soil you have. If it’s clay (many of us have that), add compost, not peat moss, to your garden to lighten and enrich it. Start small. If you have a sunny spot, there are many plants that will do well. Choose spring flowering columbines, summer flowering bee balm, and perennial asters for fall. Add others that appeal to you, as well as annuals, to fill in. Be careful if planting ground covers — many are highly invasive. Get advice when choosing a tree or shrub for proper placement and care.”
Attend the Genesee Land Trust’s Native Plant Sale from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 22 at Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Ave.
