[PCA] strict natives vs cultivars

[Gussman, Christopher D]

Good topic.  Certainly for restoration work, genetically diverse,
non-cultivars (from a local source, if available) should be utilized..
This may have to be spelled out very clearly in a restoration plan if
contractors are doing the work, else your site may be revegetated with a
monoculture of  100 Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset'.    For the
landscape/landscaper I can see where this gets tricky, esp. on a small
property that only supports a few woody items.  I totally agree that too
much of our current landscape is wasted, and it would be preferable to
make them as close to the natural world as we can.  It will be hard to
totally convince many clients of that, and if they only have room for
one tree on a small lot, they are going to want a red maple that
actually has good, red fall color or an American Holly with good fruit
production and minimal leaf blemishes.   I would encourage the use of
natives, from local genetically diverse seed sources, but under some
circumstances compromises will need to be made.  

 

________________________________

From: native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of
Rochelle Bartolomei
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:33 AM
To: native-plants at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: [PCA] strict natives vs cultivars

 

I have a question regarding the use of cultivars versus straight native
species.  My understanding is that cultivars are native plants that have
been selected for certain characteristics and then reproduced (cloned?).
I assume this would have a negative impact on diversity of ecotypes.  

I am a landscaper and I am attempting to do the right thing for the
environment and want to know which plants to select.  As a design
element, it would be nice to be able to choose cultivars for their
specific traits.  In terms of the plants themselves, sometimes the
non-cultivated species are rife with problems.  For example, Michael
Dirr advises against using ilex opaca because of its vulnerability to
disease and insect infestation, whereas he encourages use of cultivars.
Wouldn't it be better to have a healthy cultivated native?  

I know  that this subject is debatable, but I'd love to hear some
conversation about it, or be referred to recent studies or articles
where I could find some solid science to base my decisions on.  My fear
is that in the future, our yards are going to be one of the few places
wildlife is going to have a chance to thrive, and if so, we need to make
them as close to the true natural world as we can.  

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