To the editor: From my expertise in designing and planting two gardens with California native vegetation, I can attest to the optimistic affect a local plant backyard has on the native pollinators in addition to the soil. (“Right here’s what’s improper along with your completely drought-tolerant Southern California landscaping,” Opinion, Dec. 24)
My native backyard within the Bay Space was alive with birds, bees and butterflies. Right here in Orange County, my backyard is newly planted, however already I’ve seen crucial caterpillar species and native bees visiting the vegetation as they start to flower.
There may be one other profit to planting California natives: With out grass, you don’t want a garden mower, and since pure leaf-fall promotes wholesome soil, you don’t want a leaf blower.
We’d like extra growers to provide California native vegetation and assist educate gardeners. And, as op-ed article author Charles Miller notes, we’d like our water districts to grasp the significance of biodiversity and never simply deal with saving water. My very own native water district has a “save water solely” method.
Past the environmental and apply advantages, the enjoyment {that a} native plant backyard brings is incalculable. Such a backyard attracts me outdoors like no different. They make me happier than I can adequately specific.
Karen Fisher, San Juan Capistrano
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To the editor: I used to be born in Pasadena, however to see native bushes and shrubs I wanted to hike within the San Gabriel Mountains or the deserts. The cities are wildlife deserts, and persons are not conscious of the absence of hen songs round their houses.
Nonnative vegetation are extra vulnerable to ailments, so fungicides, pesticides and man-made fertilizers are wanted to maintain them wholesome. None of that is good for the setting or for our kids.
Bruce Stenman, Prunedale, Calif.
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To the editor: Miller’s piece on the environmental significance of utilizing native vegetation was effectively accomplished. Nonetheless, he failed to say a unbelievable useful resource for native plant fanatics and converts.
On the California Native Plant Society’s Calscape web site, you may kind in your ZIP code to see a whole native plant record in your space, together with detailed care data. It’s a sensible website useful to all of us making the transition from decorative vegetation to California natives.
JoAnne Skinner, Albany, Calif.
