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PSA: The new 'native only' planting rule at our city park is causing a real split.
I was walking through Riverside Park yesterday and saw the new signs explaining they're only planting local species from now on. The butterfly garden looked a bit sparse, honestly. Some folks I talked to there love the idea for helping local bugs and birds. Others think it makes the gardens look boring and misses a chance to show cool plants from other places. What's the better move for a public space, sticking strictly to natives or having a mix?
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oscar_ellis6mo ago
Read an article last week about how some native-only gardens can actually hurt local wildlife if they're planted in the wrong soil or sun. A totally strict rule feels like missing the bigger picture. Public parks should teach people about plants that work well together, not just where they're from. A smart mix with mostly natives but some proven non-invasive plants could be way more useful and still look good.
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oliver26mo ago
Saw a piece about this too, @oscar_ellis. They talked about planting a native oak in bad clay where it just dies, versus using a tough non-native tree that actually thrives and gives birds a home. A park near me has these beautiful non-invasive lilies that bees love, mixed with local shrubs. It's about making a working habitat, not checking a purity list.
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