Long as all qualities of the native plant is still intact that the native insects need to live off the plant, then I’m fine with them.
However, it’s far too common that I read that a plant attracts the host butterfly of the native plant, but the caterpillars die of malnourishment as it lacks the specific chemical the native plant has.
critical360
When we moved here 6 years ago there was an established swamp mallow hibiscus that looks exactly like this one in the photo. We’ve kept it as we transition the yard to strictly native – no cultivars – plants. For what it’s worth I’ve not seen any pollinators using the bloom. Someone is eating the leaves, though, so it’s providing a bit of something to insects. Just my personal experience, YMMV.
poopshipdestroyer34
I think the implications are pretty well unknown. Mt. Cuba center is doing some good research but there is still so much left unanswered…I’ll stick to straight species when possible. If you really care about creating habitat, why compromise?
3 Comments
Long as all qualities of the native plant is still intact that the native insects need to live off the plant, then I’m fine with them.
However, it’s far too common that I read that a plant attracts the host butterfly of the native plant, but the caterpillars die of malnourishment as it lacks the specific chemical the native plant has.
When we moved here 6 years ago there was an established swamp mallow hibiscus that looks exactly like this one in the photo. We’ve kept it as we transition the yard to strictly native – no cultivars – plants. For what it’s worth I’ve not seen any pollinators using the bloom. Someone is eating the leaves, though, so it’s providing a bit of something to insects. Just my personal experience, YMMV.
I think the implications are pretty well unknown. Mt. Cuba center is doing some good research but there is still so much left unanswered…I’ll stick to straight species when possible. If you really care about creating habitat, why compromise?