Native Plant Gardening as Anti-Colonialism
When Europeans colonized the Americas, they brought the animals and plants they were used to and depended on with them. They also brought a particular aesthetic to landscaping, the legacy of which still governs most people's expectations of how managed land should look and function. The lawn itself was (and still is) a status symbol associated with aristocracy, who could afford to maintain a carpet of grass that requires a high level of maintenance and resources. Most people in the Americas today are more familiar with exotic plants than native ones because they are the predominant fixtures of our landscaping. Over time, they have replaced natives not just in gardens, but in many cases also in natural spaces as they have escaped and invaded. Some of these exotic plants are highly invasive because they have no natural herbivores, and so they can out-compete native plants. Invasive plants are one of the leading drivers of environmental damage, and the loss of native plants has impacts on all levels of the food chain.
Ecology aside, it's a tragedy that as a culture we have little appreciation for the beauty and value of the plants indigenous to the land on which we are living. Learning about these plants and showcasing them in your garden is an excellent way to connect with the land and your local ecosystems. I encourage you to also explore the precolonial history of the area in which you live. Learn about the culture of the indigenous groups whose land you live on. What is/was their connection to the indigenous plants that once dominated the region? How did they historically manage and shape the land, and what practices do they use today? Explore the culinary history of your land by learning to forage for edible and herbal native plants (where allowed).
By planting native, you can help celebrate and perpetuate the truly American landscape.
Ecology aside, it's a tragedy that as a culture we have little appreciation for the beauty and value of the plants indigenous to the land on which we are living. Learning about these plants and showcasing them in your garden is an excellent way to connect with the land and your local ecosystems. I encourage you to also explore the precolonial history of the area in which you live. Learn about the culture of the indigenous groups whose land you live on. What is/was their connection to the indigenous plants that once dominated the region? How did they historically manage and shape the land, and what practices do they use today? Explore the culinary history of your land by learning to forage for edible and herbal native plants (where allowed).
By planting native, you can help celebrate and perpetuate the truly American landscape.