Native Plant Species & Cultivars

*The companion webpage for this video on the MGNV.org has additional resources and links:
mgnv.org/mg-virtual-classroom...
0:00:00 Introduction & Overview
0:03:32 Botanical Terms
0:13:17 Trials of Woody Plants
0:25:11 Questions
0:27:11 Trials of Herbaceous Plants
0:42:16 Additional Research on Herbaceous Plants
0:59:43 Recommendations & Resources
1:04:54 Questions
Are straight species of native plants always the best choice for home gardens? Can cultivars of native plants (nativars) provide adequate support for wildlife? To answer these questions, Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills has conducted research on past and on-going studies comparing native plants and their cultivars from the standpoint of garden performance, visits by pollinators, and use as larval host plants, and she summarizes her findings in this presentation. Included will be information from:
- a study of woody plants by Dr. Douglas Tallamy and Emily Baisden;
- the Bees, Bugs & Blooms pollinator trial by Penn State Extension;
- field trials of herbaceous plants by Dr. Annie White;
- multi-year trials of native plants and cultivars conducted at Mt. Cuba;
- and the Garden Ecology Lab study at Oregon State University.
* Get answers to all your gardening questions from the Extension Master Gardener Help Desk at mgnv.org/programs/help-desk/