ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS
The term native plant refers to species of vegetation that have evolved in the regional climate and soils and provide native wildlife with habitat, food, and shelter. Irvine Nature Center encourages individuals and professionals to plant and stock these species. Since native plants are adapted to our region, they require less water, less fertilizer, fewer pesticides and reduce the impacts of development by providing habitat for wildlife.
WHY USE NATIVE PLANTS?
Native or indigenous plants are adapted to the local soil, rainfall and temperature conditions, and have developed natural defenses to withstand many types of insects and diseases. Because of these traits, native plants will grow without a lot of maintenance. Wildlife species evolve with plants; therefore, they use native plant communities as their habitat. Using native plants helps preserve the balance of natural ecosystems. In contrast many natural ecosystems have been degraded by exotic, or non-native plants introduced from other parts of the world. Some of these introduced plants are invasive, meaning they do not have any natural controls. Invasive plants can spread rapidly and smother native vegetation. Ecosystems impacted by invasive exotic plants have less wildlife and plant diversity than unaffected systems.
WHERE TO FIND NATIVE PLANTS?
Most nurseries carry some native plants. A few nurseries specialize in native plants and carry a greater selection than traditional nurseries. Plants should never be collected from the wild unless the area is being cleared for development.
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