WHY CALIFORNIAN NATIVE PLANTS ARE IMPORTANT

Home » Home and Family » Gardening Join Sign in EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles Custom Search Search Stephan Kazanchian Platinum Quality Author Platinum Author | 18 Articles Joined: October 20, 2015 United States Why You Should Plant a California Native Garden By Stephan Kazanchian | Submitted On April 17, 2017 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article There are many benefits of "going native" with your yard landscaping. Not only would you be conserving water and saving money (many California native plants have evolved to survive without consistent water), but you would also be helping preserve the many species of California flora that are getting closer to extinction. Challenges Facing California Plants and Beyond The whole planet is experiencing unparalleled species extinction rates, this is a fact. But when a plant or animal goes extinct, it affects the entire ecosystem. It's not simply a matter of that plant or animal not being around anymore. Conserving biological diversity is essential to keeping our planet healthy enough to support human life and we can all help where we are. California is one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. It is home to 25 percent of all plant species in the continental U.S. and has almost 6,000 native plant species. Two thousand of these are found NOWHERE ELSE ON THE PLANET. This is amazing! Unfortunately, while California has some of the most effective conservation laws, our plants are still at risk. According to the California Native Plant Society, there are more than 1,500 at-risk plants. The only state with more imperiled plant species is Hawaii. Native Plants Support Wildlife and the Ecosystem Over the millennia, plants and animals have evolved together, which means that the plants of a particular region meet the exact shelter and food needs of native wildlife. Bringing in non-native plants disrupts this harmony. Without the plants that they rely on for food, shelter, or reproduction, native animals and insects would die out, and this would be dangerous for the environment that we rely on to survive. Additionally, native plants are essential to the native ecosystem. They are specifically adapted to function best with their native soils and climate. Starting Your Native Plant Garden The plants we choose for our garden can either help or sabotage conservation efforts in our state. The planting of non-native plants just increases the likelihood of losing the native flora and fauna that make California the biodiverse area that it is. Does this mean you can't enjoy coleus plants native to southeast Asia? No, but if you focus on California native plants in at least one area of your yard, or in one of your yards (front yard vs. backyard) it makes a difference! Before starting your native garden, there are a number of questions to address. If you want your native landscape to be successful, you have to take the time to analyze the conditions of your site (e.g. amount of sun, soil conditions, climate conditions) and then determine which plants would do best. Speaking with a native plant consultant at a native nursery would be a great place to start. Every Yard Makes a Difference Each and every yard that turns into a native garden, even if it is just one this month and two next month, helps support our California wildlife and ecosystem, which will automatically help keep our environment going strong for future generations while also saving you water and money. Helping You Save Water, One Car Wash at a Time At Vosh, we're not just about expertly washing your car on-demand; we're committed to helping the environment by conserving water with each and every wash. We use less than three gallons of water for each professional wash and we also offer waterless car washes. Save time and water. Download the app today: http://vosh.me/. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stephan_Kazanchian/2204333 0 Comments | Leave a Comment Did you find this article helpful? Happy Face0 Sad Face0 Viewed 6 times Word count: 520 Article Tools EzinePublisher Report this article Cite this article Stay Informed Subscribe to New Article Alerts: Home and Family: Gardening Stephan Kazanchian Email Address Subscribe We will never sell or rent your email address. Gardening Article Feed Gardening Article Feed Find More Articles Search Similar Articles Cold and Frost Tolerant Plants to Grow in Your Tropical Garden Comparing Annual Plants to Perennial Plants Colorful Tropical Foliage Plants - Croton Plants And Caladium Plants Regular Plants and Flowering Plants Reviews Watering Plants - 5 Essential Plant Watering Tips to Help You Save Water and Time! 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