- July 31, 2020 Motherhouse, Ecojustice
Q&A with Sister Amy Hereford, CSJ
By Jenny Beatrice, Director of Communications
Why native plants? What are the benefits to the environment? To the wildlife? To the gardener?
An ecosystem is dynamic community of plants and animals, birds and pollinators, fungi and microbes that co-evolved in mutually beneficial ways in order to thrive in a particular place. Native plants are an indispensable part of an ecosystem. As such, they support the rest of the critters in the place, and because those critters support them, they require less input from gardeners. This all means that native plants help conserve water, energy, pesticides, money, and labor. They also support the health of ecosystems, people and the climate. Their beauty also supports healthy spirits.
What are the goals for native plant usage at the motherhouse?
Conserving resources and supporting a healthy ecosystem.
How do we get the plants?
The plants are funded by various grants and are grown by ecovillagers and neighbors.
Where are they planted around campus?
The courtyard has many native species. There are plants on the east and north sides of the building and a small native planting near the grotto.
What are some of your favorite plants that we have planted on campus?
Each season has favorites. We have specifically planted for spring blooms, summer blooms and fall blooms. Each of these groups of plants supports different birds and butterflies. My favorite is the one that is blooming at any given time.
What advice can you give someone who wants to include native plants in their garden or landscape?
Start small. Best to just get started with one plant, one tree, etc. It is easy to expand the plot, but many gardeners start too large and they become overwhelmed.