Good news for gardeners from Great Dixter

Readers of this blog likely know that many of the elements of our garden design were influenced by Japanese gardens. Thus, for the last twenty years, I've planted many treasures from Asia. But climate change and habitat loss have all gardeners looking at their garden with new eyes.

I'm happy to be able to say that I've composted kitchen and garden debris, mulched with chopped leaves and haven't sprayed or used many chemicals over the years. I have an old Bur Oak tree and a crop of seedlings that I'm nurturing (below), along with every fern native to Wisconsin happily romping around my garden.

But I am not a native plant aficionado nor do I want to give up all the lovely non-natives I've planted over the years. That's why I was thrilled with the information that Fergus Garrett, head gardener at the famed Great Dixter estate in the UK, shared with those of us who signed up for his webinar as part of Olbrich Botanical Gardens spring lecture series, "A Gardener's Call."

The "call" refers to the idea that gardeners need to "recognize and respect all beings’ contributions to healthy garden ecosystems." If we do that, then we will be able to support all life in the garden. I totally agree with that concept which is why I sat up and took notice when Garrett showed us that ornamental horticulture does that very well. 

Photo by Andrew Montgomery/Gardens Illustrated magazine

Garrett decided that Great Dixter needed a comprehensive biodiversity audit that would then provide the knowledge that he felt was critical to managing Dixter in the best way. It wasn't really news, he noted, when the survey showed the meadows, ponds, pastures and woodlands on this old estate were extremely rich. 

Photo by Andrew Montgomery/Gardens Illustrated magazine

The big surprise — and what excited me — was the fact that the survey found the richest part of all was the ornamental garden (above). The survey clearly showed the garden, even with its fancy floral displays, supported an extraordinary amount of wildlife. Though Garrett hadn't specifically gardened with biodiversity at the forefront, it was there as a by-product.

That means I don't have to tear up my garden and start over. I can leave my non-natives in place and add more if I want. The big lesson is having as much diversity as possible. The things I've ordered online, or plan to buy locally, range from grasses to shrubs to bulbs and perennial plants; all of which means I am moving in the right direction for diversity. Add in the fact that almost half of them are native and I no longer have to feel guilty for wanting a garden that showcases non-native plants.

Comments

[Barbara H.]

Great news for a great garden - yours.

[Kristin]

That is definitely great to hear! As you said, it is something I have been thinking about more often.

[Loree L Bohl]

Reading this my mind naturally goes back to the rude troll who commented on my blog calling my plants "exotic nonsense" (how about planting some natives along with all your exotic nonsense? How are native insects supposed to survive our avaricious onslaught if they can't even live in our yards?). Who gets the last laugh now?

[Kris P]

I think that's a great message to underscore, Linda. I too plant lots of non-natives, albeit ones with very different origins than those that thrive in your beautiful garden. In a world facing extreme climate change, finding plants adapted to my Mediterranean climate is more important than tracking down plants that grew here in the 1800s or before. And pollinators, birds and other wildlife are clearly not put off my selections. In my view, plants that flourish under current conditions (without becoming invasive) are more useful than those that someone say used to grow here before generations of humans changed the environment.

[Linda Brazill]

Thanks for these long comments. It is nice to feel that we are doing our bit without having to rip out our gardens and start over.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I agree with Garrett and am pleased with their findings.
I too have lots of ornamentals. I haven't done an audit but I can tell you I have lots of bugs and wildlife in the garden. I think the main thing is no chemicals. Bugs can't protect themselves. Another way to look at it is that if you want more butterflies you have to have their needs in mind when you plant. Same with other wildlife.

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Oh gosh, your garden is awesome! Please continue your trends. I think leaning toward natives is a great thing, but the main thing I'm trying to do is avoid and delete invasives. We've had to pull out some things, and it's an ongoing process, isn't it? And, yes, to avoiding chemicals.

[Linda Brazill]

LISA — I think you have nailed it with planting for what wildlife you want and no chemicals. I think having  no fancy lawn gets you away from chemicals quickly.

[Linda Brazill]

BETH — I agree with you on fighting invasives. We periodically get garlic mustard but it is creeping bellflower etc that is the big devil here. I keep working at it but it is so difficult to get all those little roots.

[Susie at pbmGarden]

Thanks for sharing this update. It's good to keep things in perspective. I love the idea of natives but many I don't really like and a lot of them have been messy or aggressive. Still lots to learn.

[Frank]

Haha, I can do diversity! It will be my perfect excuse when someone says it looks cluttered and "busy". Anything beats boring lawn and empty mulch beds.

[Linda Brazill]

SUSIE — Lots to learn for sure!

[Emily Buckingham]

I would suggest that anyone who wants to dig deeper into the topic of the insects that native plants support vs. non-natives read Doug Tallamy's excellent book, Bringing Nature Home.

[Linda Brazill]

EMILY- I have Doug’s latest book and keep adding more natives, so I am looking forward to his upcoming Olbrich talk. Just made a list using the WI DNR to see exactly which natives I’m growing and how many etc.