Native plants an untapped resource

Native plants are an untapped resource for many gardeners and landscapers in California who typically rely on high-input conventional varieties, a new study shows. The research, part of an ongoing coordinated effort between University of California Cooperative Extension, the UC Davis Arboretum, and the California Center for Urban Horticulture, shows that native plants are lower-maintenance and require fewer inputs such as irrigation and pesticides. They are also better suited to California’s seven USDA plant-hardiness zones, are often very drought-tolerant and serve as a habitat for beneficial insects, pollinators and birds. These qualities were among several criteria used to identify 10 All-Star species. Full Story: California Agriculture