Creating a Sustainable Backyard Garden: A Journey with Native Plants
In the summer of 2020, my husband Ryan and I purchased a house in Portland, Oregon. It had a backyard, mostly barren except for a dying lawn. For many, this might seem unappealing, but to us, it was a blank slate for our dream garden.
We removed the deteriorating lawn and began building our garden. We aimed for beauty and productivity, with fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Water conservation and minimal use of fertilizers and pesticides were priorities. Our goal: a functional space for relaxation and wildlife habitat.
We planted drought-tolerant perennials like lavender, Coreopsis, and Sedum. Alongside these, we included flowers such as peonies and dahlias that needed more care. Features like a small pond, a flagstone path, and raised vegetable beds were added. We set up a compost bin and drip irrigation and started mulching.
Within two years, the garden transformed into a vibrant, lively ecosystem. Insects arrived first. I marveled at wild bees, including metallic blue mason bees and glittering green sweat bees. Dragonflies, butterflies, and even larger creatures like birds and raccoons followed.
This lively retreat seemed both attractive and ecologically sound. However, my confidence wavered as I interacted with other wildlife gardeners. The native plant movement dominated discussions in nurseries and online. Many gardeners prioritize native species, those with deep evolutionary roots in their regions.
Advocates of native plants argue their superior adaptation to local conditions. They highlight ethical relationships formed over millennia, supporting wildlife and ecosystems better than foreign species. These insights challenged my initial approach to gardening.
Learning from other gardeners, I began to appreciate the role native plants play in sustainable gardening. They serve as essential components in maintaining ecological balance while attracting and nurturing local wildlife. Native plants became a new focal point in our garden’s future planning.