Native Plants … The Real Deal

Grace Koehler

Sustainability is on everyone's mind these days. It's all the talk! Here's something you can do: Make the commitment to use native plants. We have an incredible opportunity to shape the future of our landscapes, the areas in which we live and work every day, through the use of native plants. If lack of know-how is stopping you, read on. If lack of motivation is stopping you, read on. Here are all the reasons you should care about this important step in "going green."

Eco-Benefits
We have all heard the benefits of using natives, but they're worth repeating. Native plants require less consumption of natural resources such as fuel, water, fertilizer and pesticides. Natives, of course, are generally defined as plants that grew in an area naturally before colonization occurred and foreign plants were introduced by settlers. Natives have evolved and adapted to our local conditions and can withstand the typical heat, cold, drought, pests and diseases of our area. Almost every "foreigner" has an equally beautiful and functional native replacement.

But benefits of native plants go well beyond their ability to tough out our climate. They have a natural symbiotic relationship with our soil, where both components benefit. Midwestern geography has given us the richest soils in the world, but designing our landscapes with alien plants does little to preserve this resource from erosion and total degradation of its physical and biological properties. Deep-rooted native plants work as part of the natural system to maintain balanced biology of the soil, increasing oxygen supply, water retention and microbial activity, which in turn results in improved performance of the plants themselves. Natives also lessen the load on storm water conveyance systems, with roots that reach sometimes 20 feet below ground level, slowing and retaining water runoff and improving the quality of water that percolates into soil or drains into streams and rivers.

Do the Math
Maybe you've also heard about the lower cost of maintaining a native landscape; if so, you know that this is the way to sell it. Native landscapes do require management, but mowing, fertilizer, pesticide applications and irrigation systems can be totally eliminated from future budgets. Over the long-term, your clients have significant savings, with the advantages of cleaner air and a safer, healthier landscape.

A study by Pizzo & Associates has shown that on a one acre parcel, a native landscape saved up to $5,000 during the first five years. By year ten, over $23,000 was saved; and by year 20, savings were a whopping $68,000! On a 5 acre parcel savings are even more dramatic; with the first year at over $8,000; five years, over $75,000; and by year 20, over $460,000 was saved by installing a native landscape system. Arm yourself with similar numbers on your projects, and the savings alone educate your clients. Clients wind up talking themselves into the sale, and then tell their friends how much they saved because they used your services. They'll be knocking down your door for an estimate.

It's the Law
Phosphorus fertilizers are already banned in many states and water runoff is limited in some municipalities, proof that outside regulation of landscape practices isn't just on the horizon, it's already here. By implementing a pro-active approach toward creating sustainable landscapes right now, your business will be poised and ready for future ordinances and policy changes. Plus, by becoming an expert now, you'll be the contractor who gets the jobs once it's mandated.

Here's the evidence that regulations are coming. Since 2006, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) has been conducting studies on our regional water supply. Even though we are located near Lake Michigan, the amount of fresh water is finite. If we don't adopt more sustainable water consumption practices right now, significant shortages will occur by 2050, effecting us, and more so, our children and grandchildren. Our surface and shallow bedrock aquifers in Northeastern Illinois are already showing significant stress. CMAP's plan entitled, "Water 2050" includes ordinances for residential landscapes that in some cases limit turf and impervious surfaces to no more than 40 percent of the landscape. Learn how, change your practices, be ahead of the game and grow your business while others are playing catch-up.

Natural Beauty
There are those t view native landscapes as weed patches. But sustainable is not a design, it's a process. At Pizzo, our belief is that "Good Ecology is Beautiful." Native landscapes designed, installed and maintained correctly are significantly more beautiful and interesting than a yard full of foreigners. Rich with successional color and an array of textures, they invite butterflies, moths, birds to make a home and sustain a balance that allows many species to coexist. They evolve and change with climatic conditions and provide opportunities for education. Mowed lawns, over-mulched meatball shrubs and shaggy alien perennials often are not even recognized as "plants" by many of our indigenous species of pollinators and wildlife. Besides, let's be honest, they are aesthetically dull.

Change your Business … and Grow
If it's best practice, more aesthetically pleasing, more ecologically sound, ahead of the regulation curve and more economical for your clients in the long run, why would you not use native plants? I am not suggesting the elimination of lawns and every alien species from the landscape. I am suggesting that you incorporate native communities into every design from now on. Do your homework and start by getting to know 25 native plants and their cultural requirements! Change practices now, and you'll be the first in line for contracts that require it. MELA's vision is to raise the bar and make this the standard in our industry. What is stopping you now?

Grace has 20 years of experience in ecological restoration and the wholesale nursery business. She has developed and coordinated production and sales programs for native plants, with expertise in horticultural and native plant communities on the ground level and the roof top. Grace is a past President of MELA and a former Board member.

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