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Are Non-native plants a cause of the decreasing biodiversity?

elliotp981elliotp981 Posts: 105
in Wildlife gardening
I am wondering this as I have heard that native plants are needed so certain insects can reproduce but what does that mean for gardening? What would gardening look like with native plants only?
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  • elliotp981elliotp981 Posts: 105
    So if I were to only plant non-native plants (like Lonicera Japonica because it is literally better in my opinion) am I responsible for the extinction of certain plants and insects?
  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    elliotp981 said:
    I am wondering this as I have heard that native plants are needed so certain insects can reproduce but what does that mean for gardening? What would gardening look like with native plants only?

    It's an interesting question and certainly one way of planting a helpful garden. There are some types of insects, like moth and butterflies that will only eat or lay eggs on one plant. Without that one plant - there is no insect. There have been various UK studies on the benefit of planting natives. Depending on the perameters, there have been various conclusions - some that natives are much more helpful overall, especially in a farming context. Other show that mixing in non-natives tend to extend the flowering season a lot.

    Some thoughts here





  • TenNTenN Posts: 184
    You could tie yourself in knots over this so just keep a balance. Not many people let nettles flower or go to seed but that's a good native for butterflies and birds, not as pretty as a fuchsia most would say. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited August 2023
     The worst things for biodiversity are chemicals from weed killers and pesticides to inorganic fertilisers.

    Some insects are species specific for host plants for their larvae but the adults are far less fussy about where they get ther nectar and pollen so the best thing you can do is grow a wide variety of plants to provide nectar, pollen and shelter for the adults and leave some bits of a garden wild to grow nettles and brambles and other larvae host plants.

    A pond is always good for increasing diversity as is providing shelter in the forms of wood piles, leaf piles, shrubs and trees and leaving some grass unmown.  Havinga compost heap and mulching the soil to feed its natural organisms will also increase fertility and biodiversity.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    TenN said:
    You could tie yourself in knots over this.

    Or we could be interested, curious and learn about the science of things.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    The butterflies in my garden don't seem to mind that buddliea isn't a native plant
    Devon.
  • elliotp981elliotp981 Posts: 105
    I know, I don't know if I'm being guilt-tripped or if it is the truth. I want to plant Japanese Honeysuckle but I fear it could become an issue. I'm sure it would be more attractive to wildlife than our native one as it puts out its scent (albeit weaker) during the day. 
  • TenNTenN Posts: 184
    SalixGold said:
    TenN said:
    You could tie yourself in knots over this.

    Or we could be interested, curious and learn about the science of things.
    What do you mean? I think you misunderstood what I meant.
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    TenN said:
    You could tie yourself in knots over this so just keep a balance. Not many people let nettles flower or go to seed but that's a good native for butterflies and birds, not as pretty as a fuchsia most would say. 
    I let the nettles flourish and I've never seen a caterpillar anywhere near them. There's something quite impressive about all those glassy spikes on the plants and they smell of picnics and sunny days in the countryside.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    elliotp981 said:
    I know, I don't know if I'm being guilt-tripped or if it is the truth. I want to plant Japanese Honeysuckle but I fear it could become an issue. I'm sure it would be more attractive to wildlife than our native one as it puts out its scent (albeit weaker) during the day. 
    Some insects fly in the daytime … only some of these will have the long proboscis needed to access nectar from honeysuckle. 

    Other insects fly at night … again only some of these will be able to access honeysuckle. 

    It can’t be used by all insects and certainly won’t prevent insects from accessing nectar from other flowers. 

     Is that what you wanted to know?

     

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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