No, non natives are not the cause of the decreasing biodiversity, with the exception of a few things that you would no longer want to plant in your garden (Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed etc). Perhaps JH (Japanese Honeysuckle) will join that list - if you are concerned, plant a variety of English honeysuckle or something else that will not be spread via berries. Confusingly, as you have noted, the JH has plenty of wildlife value in and of itself (nectar, berries) but the potential issue is it could get into a delicate habitat and swamp all the native biodiversity. If you live next to a SSSI maybe give it a miss.
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?
My main worry is insects like the White Admiral which only reproduces on our version of honeysuckle, making it impossible for it to do so unless if that plant is in its local habitats. I'm convinced things like Japanese Honeysuckle are truly a threat as it blocks the existence of bugs such as this one, especially when it's more vigorous than our native honeysuckle. But at the same time, it does have more value when it comes to scent and points of interest.
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?
My main worry is insects like the White Admiral which only reproduces on our version of honeysuckle, making it impossible for it to do so unless if that plant is in its local habitats. I'm convinced things like Japanese Honeysuckle are truly a threat as it blocks the existence of bugs such as this one, especially when it's more vigorous than our native honeysuckle. But at the same time, it does have more value when it comes to scent and points of interest.
But I don’t believe it does have more value to the gardener … the flowers are not IMHO as beautiful as our native Lonicera peliclymenum, as as for perfume, our senses become inured to scents that we smell frequently … quite often someone will comment on their partner’s perfume and find they’ve noticed it because it’s a new one rather than the one they usually wear.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Climate change means that nature is having to adapt very fast, faster than plants can move. As our seasons change, we need to think carefully about how to extend the food and habitat for the animals that will be trying to survive at earlier or later times of the year than they used to. Non native plants carefully chosen may well be part of the answer to this, if they flower at different times or provide 'cover' when the natives are dormant. Our native tree species and wildflowers may not be able to adapt and could begin to die out in some areas - if our nature depletion is not to become even worse, we may have to adopt new species from warmer climes for farming and agriculture but also for horticulture and gardens.
Invasive species that will outcompete natives are a problem, but absolutism with regard to 'native' species (and, as has been said, where are we drawing that line? Most plants came here from somewhere else as the climate patterns have shifted) is not helpful.
Providing a healthy environment should be the primary aim, with as much diversity and life as possible - avoid monocultures (of anything, including nettles) - avoid pesticides and herbicides and insecticides.
I don't know on the specific issue of honeysuckle, but as long as it's not the only plant you grow, I'm not sure there's a high risk. Does it hybridise with the native plants?
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Assuming you're talking about back gardens I would put a positive spin on this and say that you can increase biodiversity by planting natives, or at the very least making a concerted effort to have a healthy balance, such as working towards a 50/50 split.
As others have pointed out its mostly intensive agriculture (soil degredation, herb/pesticides, fertilisers) meat farming (e.g. poultry farm discharge into our rivers) and poor land management (driven grouse moors) that degrades our biodiversity to a large degree. It doesn't help that house builders these days don't seem to produce properties with adequately sized gardens so even you want to make a small difference you may be limited with the space available to you.
Don't get caught up about non-natives in your garden, just embellish what you have with a few key native species and set your own benchmark.
I always try to mix in both, but in terms of vertical space, asian species of plants always seem to be better for the job, I also have winter-flowering plants (which are both asian) which provide food for bees active in winter. I think if we cover all bases of the year with flowers, wouldn't that be better than our native flowers that appear to only be active in a certain window?
Oh dear not this again . I told you it’s fine to plant whatever honeysuckle you want ……or not ……..your choice on one of your other threads . I really don’t think that you planting non native species is going to make a tuppeny damn to the biodiversity. It’s much too late for that ,if you are worrying about it that much when the world is in such a terrible state with weather patterns and people cutting down acres of trees and digging up land to build railways we don’t want ,why on earth do you think that planting a honeysuckle will spoil it .
This thread seems to be going round in circles - if you have a concern about growing plants which you believe may be a problem, then don't grow them. If you want flowering plants that you consider offer interest to insects and other wildlife, then stick to growing those. If you enjoy their colour/perfume, then that's a bonus. You just need to make your own mind up based on your knowledge and preferences. If you have any serious worries about one of your chosen plants causing a problem in your locality, contact your local Wildlife Trust or similar bodies who could advise you.
Oh dear not this again . I told you it’s fine to plant whatever honeysuckle you want ……or not ……..your choice on one of your other threads . I really don’t think that you planting non native species is going to make a tuppeny damn to the biodiversity. It’s much too late for that ,if you are worrying about it that much when the world is in such a terrible state with weather patterns and people cutting down acres of trees and digging up land to build railways we don’t want ,why on earth do you think that planting a honeysuckle will spoil it .
That's rather cynical although i'm sure its not meant to sound that way. We can all make a difference and forums such as this are a great way to promote changes to attitudes.
Posts
Non natives have a lot to offer in terms of wildlife value, Ken Thompson has written a lot about this - see his book here: https://www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/stock/no-nettles-required-the-reassuring-truth-about-wildlife-gardening-ken-thompson
And a video lecture here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZpliXMvlNA&ab_channel=GardenMasterclass
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Invasive species that will outcompete natives are a problem, but absolutism with regard to 'native' species (and, as has been said, where are we drawing that line? Most plants came here from somewhere else as the climate patterns have shifted) is not helpful.
Providing a healthy environment should be the primary aim, with as much diversity and life as possible - avoid monocultures (of anything, including nettles) - avoid pesticides and herbicides and insecticides.
I don't know on the specific issue of honeysuckle, but as long as it's not the only plant you grow, I'm not sure there's a high risk. Does it hybridise with the native plants?
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
As others have pointed out its mostly intensive agriculture (soil degredation, herb/pesticides, fertilisers) meat farming (e.g. poultry farm discharge into our rivers) and poor land management (driven grouse moors) that degrades our biodiversity to a large degree. It doesn't help that house builders these days don't seem to produce properties with adequately sized gardens so even you want to make a small difference you may be limited with the space available to you.
Don't get caught up about non-natives in your garden, just embellish what you have with a few key native species and set your own benchmark.
Grow plants which flower throughout the year, a mix of native/non native. ( but only grow what you like)
Let some of the garden become messy.
Have water in the garden.
Dont use pesticides, minimise use of weed killers.
ENJOY.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
If you have any serious worries about one of your chosen plants causing a problem in your locality, contact your local Wildlife Trust or similar bodies who could advise you.