Thriving with Drought-Resistant Native Plants
Across the rolling hills and lush valleys of Tennessee a revolution is quietly happening beneath our feet and in our backyards․ The state is endowed with a wide array of ecosystems and biota‚ but is also experiencing the effects of climate change and a variable climate․ Dry and drought tolerant native plants are a great addition to any garden or park‚ as they provide a vital means of coping with a dry climate‚ and they are an important part of any garden or park․ These plants help conserve water and help preserve local ecosystems․ As communities continue to turn towards sustainable landscaping practices‚ increased understanding and utilization of these resilient‚ drought-tolerant plants is a promising trend․
One of the main advantages of drought resistant plants is that less work is required to ensure the plants are kept in good condition‚ as native plants have evolved over thousands of years to the local climate․ The use of drought tolerant plants that require little or no supplemental watering implies they are especially suitable for planting in the gardens and landscapes of individual residences and communities in an era when the efficient use of water and the conservation of water resources are becoming of increasing concern․ The lesser need for artificial fertilizers and pesticides reduces chemical runoff from gardens and improves the condition of surrounding waterways․
Types of Drought-Resistant Native Plants
Tennessee has many native drought-resistant plants‚ Black-eyed Susan shows off colors and textures while Russian Sage stands tall and stately․ Lavender has a lovely perfume and Echinacea (or coneflower) is a colorful bloom that will attract pollinators․ All are drought-tolerant plants that do well in the Tennessee climate․ Both have very deep roots that are able to take advantage of subsurface moisture and are therefore not dependent on rainfall alone for survival‚ making them excellent plants for use in dry spells․ These native plants are suggested for use by Tennessee gardeners to better connect them with the state's natural features and ecosystem health․
Soil conservation practices using mulches‚ cover crops‚ and other techniques to improve the structure and moisture retention of soil may also be helpful when using drought-resistant native plants‚ either by supplementing or replacing customary irrigation methods․ The mulch keeps the soil moist by slowing evaporation‚ lessening weed growth‚ and providing an even supply of moisture to nourish the plant roots․ Cover crops planted in the off-season provide nutrients to the soil and increase its water-holding capacity‚ thus providing nourishment to the native plant species year-round‚ even in the driest months when surface water resources are at their lowest levels․ These practices contribute to a sustainable ecosystem for plants‚ promoting their health and vitality‚ as well as benefiting the overall environment․
Native Plants Support Biodiversity
Biodiversity is best served when native plants are used in the garden․ By growing drought resistant native plants in their garden‚ gardeners‚ can help to make a greater diversity of species in the garden and in their neighborhood․ Most of these are in the canopy and provide habitat‚ shelter and food for many species․ For example‚ flowering perennials such as the Milkweed are important for the migrating Monarch butterfly as pollen providers; birds eat the seeds and fruits of many native shrubs․ Reforestation with indigenous species increases biodiversity‚ can restore beauty to the landscape‚ assists in restoring ecology‚ and creates habitat for animals‚ plants‚ fungi and bacteria‚ and provides space for their growth․
A drought-resistant native landscape has an effect on the region's wildlife․ Native plants create habitat for a wide variety of wildlife․ A native garden provides essential food and shelter for many local wildlife species‚ including bees‚ butterflies‚ hummingbirds‚ and other birds․ As pollinating insects form the basis of the food web‚ this shows that an appropriate planting scheme‚ carefully combining natural plant species‚ could not only beautify the natural environment‚ but could also create a wildlife-rich habitat which would allow communities and individuals to take a rewarding and active role in supporting biodiversity for the benefit of future generations․
Adapted to drought‚ the native plants of Tennessee can be a model for a more harmonized approach to the environment in a time when climate change impacts our weather and water shortages are real issues․ They can be a symbol of resilience and a model for a more sustainable future․ By appropriately planting native plants and managing soil disturbance we can all contribute to sustaining the biodiversity and natural environment around us․ Working back to a natural state is a reconnection with the land and with natural processes which can support us to be responsible custodians of the environment in which we live․ By planting native plants that are adapted to drought‚ we will be making a better world for both ourselves and the generations after us․
