SOURCING NATIVE PLANTS
Our Research
Research about the ecological impacts of gardening with native plants and their cultivars is lacking. In 2017, researchers from botanic gardens, universities, government agencies and research nonprofits gathered to attempt to create a tool that would help support decision-makers choose which plants were most appropriate for which sites. Since each planting site is different, the tool would compare the genetic and adaptive backgrounds of a plant available on the market against the requirements of the planting site. However, researchers were unable to assess the suitability of many species available on the market because of the lack of information about these species’ backgrounds. This web page summarizes the main takeaways of the research and provides information for gardeners, ecologists and landscape designers who create habitats to consider when purchasing plants.
“This study is a crucial step in bridging the gaps in plant sourcing and ecosystem functioning information between native plant producers and consumers.”
— Jacob Zeldin, Research Ecologist and Micropropagation Coordinator at chicago botanic garden
Our team is comprised of scientists and professionals with a variety of backgrounds. We have geneticists, ecologists, public garden professionals, and more.
![pollination research penstemon 049[2].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d1a4593d3e1550001a31783/1565185211154-YF6IARPYSW3FW09J4PH3/pollination+research+penstemon+049%5B2%5D.jpg)
Main Takeaways
A few of the key things to know about the ecological implications of gardening with nativars:
1.
Nativars can play an important role in sustaining the local food web.
2.
Not all nativars are equal in their ability to support food webs.
3.
Genetic backgrounds of native plants can inform their suitability.
What can you do?
Take Action
Drive demand for information about plant parentage at the consumer level. Horticulturists, gardeners, and landscape designers can indicate to garden centers and nurseries that plant parentage matters. Like getting to know where your food comes from and getting to know your farmer, learning where your plants come from increases transparency and the quality of information along the supply chain.
Stay Informed
Plant trials of native plants and their cultivars, like those conducted at Mt. Cuba Center and Chicago Botanic Garden, assess the ecological suitability of plants as well as their horticultural appeal.