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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Rochelle,</SPAN><?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I would encourage you
to get an outstanding new book by Dr. Douglas Tallamy, an entomologist at the
University of Delaware, "Bringing Nature Home" (see description below).
Since he does a lot of his studies on the east coast and there are numerous
cultivars of eastern natives, he may address whether they are as beneficial to
insects as wild natives. Your last sentence clearly speaks to the points
in his book. As we continue to put pressure on our agricultural areas
through development and monoculture crops, we will be relying more and
more on our suburban and urban landscapes to support population of native
birds, insects, and other critters. </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
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color=#000000><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I am a botanist and
native seed producer in Oregon and we are woefully behind the rest of the
country in the wide use (or even acceptance) of the need to include natives in
our landscapes. </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#000000><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I applaud your question
and encourage more discourse on the topic from landscape and garden
professionals.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
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color=#000000><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Best to
you,</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=669083117-09042008>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Lynda Boyer</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Restoration Biologist and Native Plant
Manager</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Heritage Seedlings, Inc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Salem OR </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://www.heritageseedlings.com">www.heritageseedlings.com</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=669083117-09042008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=669083117-09042008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>This is a review from <A
href="http://blogs.scottarboretum.org/gardenseeds/2008/02/bringing-nature-home/">http://blogs.scottarboretum.org/gardenseeds/2008/02/bringing-nature-home/</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>Dr.
Tallamy, an entomologist at the University of Delaware, wrote Bringing Nature
Home as a manifesto to suburban gardeners to help them make decisions based not
just on their garden’s appearance, but also how their gardens affect
biodiversity and populations of insects, birds, and other mammals. We have all
seen the over-development of suburbia and the extent to which this development
has ravaged our land, but Dr. Tallamy and his students have discovered
legitimate scientific data to show us the link between native plants, beneficial
insects, and native wildlife populations. While it may seem irreversible to some
of us, Tallamy sends an encouraging message that the damage done to our
landscapes is fixable and that the garden is the place to start. This book has a
wonderful mix of scientific data and horticultural expertise along with a clear
message to all of us gardeners: that the spaces we create can be beautiful and
can have a lasting impact in our ecosystems. Tallamy’s book will change the way
you look at gardening and should be required reading for all gardeners.<BR>
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<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B>
native-plants-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:native-plants-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>Rochelle Bartolomei<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:33
AM<BR><B>To:</B> native-plants@lists.plantconservation.org<BR><B>Subject:</B>
[PCA] strict natives vs cultivars<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>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. <BR><BR>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? <BR><BR>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.
<BR>
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