Letter to the Editor: Consider planting native plants

To the Editor:

Pollinators need our help! Bees, butterflies, moths, other insects and hummingbirds all pollinate the plants which produce so many of the flowers, fruits and vegetables we need and enjoy. These crucial parts of our natural ecosystem are disappearing. Last summer our pole beans produced hundreds of blossoms before finally growing beans. Not enough pollinators was all we could figure out.

Many insects have evolved to emerge when the plants they feed on are flowering. Many of these are native plants. As we plant more exotic trees, shrubs and flowers that crowd out native species, we make it harder for many of our pollinators to survive. Global climate change, along with deforestation, increased pavement and buildings, chemicalized and manicured lawns and over-use of pesticides and herbicides, all contribute to declining populations of many animal and plant species.

How can we help? Plant native pants! If you’re lucky enough to have a yard, set aside a portion for planting pollinator-attracters, like coneflowers, blazing stars, asters, sunflowers, lupine, Joe-Pye weed, lobelia, columbine and especially milkweeds. Choose species native to our region. Plant them in an area that meets their needs for sun, shade, moisture, etc. Even leaving some dandelions, clovers and violets around for early, late and all-summer blossoms will help early-emerging and late hangers-on. Last year we saw butterflies on dandelions in April and October when not much else was blooming.

If your yard is tiny or nonexistent, window boxes, plant pots or even somewhere in the community are good for many native plants. A terrific project to do with kids! Adding a bird bath, hummingbird feeder and a bee block will all help. Some non-native annuals such as zinnias are easy to grow from seed. They bloom all summer and attract many bees and butterflies. As a bonus, they make lovely, long-lasting cut flowers for bouquets.

For specific information about plants native to our area, visit the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center at www.wildflower.org and choose the “Native Plants” tab. There is also lots of local information at Seed Savers Exchange and the Ion Exchange in Iowa and Sodko - Shooting Star and Prairie Moon in Minnesota.

Have fun while we all help our helpful, vital wildlife!

Jill K. Stephenson
Waukon