Wild Ones supports using native plants to promote biodiversity and ecosystem health. But do nativars—cultivated varieties of native plants—offer the same ecological benefits as straight-species natives?
What’s the Difference?
- Native Plants (Straight-Species): Naturally occurring plants that have existed in a region before European settlement, reproducing through open pollination.
- Cultivars: Plants selectively bred for specific traits (color, size, disease resistance) and propagated through cloning.
- Nativars: Cultivars derived from native plants, sometimes naturally occurring but often artificially selected for desirable traits.
Identifying Nativars
Nativars have a variety name in addition to the species name. Example:
- Straight-species: Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Nativar: Brandywine Red Maple (Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’*)
Ecological Concerns
- Genetic Diversity
- Native plants from seed contribute to a diverse gene pool, helping species adapt to environmental changes.
- Nativars, often cloned, lack genetic variation, which may reduce their ecological resilience.
- Ecosystem Services
- Studies show nativars with significant changes in color, size, or shape may provide less benefit to pollinators.
- Chickadees rely on native plants for food—yards with at least 70% native plants support better bird populations.
What Should You Plant?
While nativars are better than non-native species, they may not fully replace straight-species natives. Ecologists recommend prioritizing wild-type natives for ecological restoration.
How to Support Native Plants
- Ask for straight-species natives at nurseries.
- Encourage nurseries to stock more native plants.
- Seek out native plant suppliers in your region.