Fwd: Cult: Species: A modest proposal

In a message dated 97-08-15 02:50:56 EDT, ross@dsrt.com (Ross Bishop) writes:

<< > So, how about giving the species (especially the natives), as well as
 > the Siberians, Japanese, Louisianas a try? When you have selected the
 > right plant for your garden, it requires much less maintenance.
 
 Dennis,
 Where I live nothing would grow naturally except cactus, sagebrush and
 prarie dogs. Perhaps it's human arrogance, but I like my gardens - and
 they are all "artificial" in the sense you describe.
 Ross >>

Ross,

I am sure Dennis, and later myself,  were not seeing the desert (and other
extreme locations) when that post was composed.  We east coast denizens do
not often realize there is life beyond the  Mississippi.

Still,  the principle is valid.  If you grew plants native to your area you
would lessen the labor needed .  With greater brass I shall suggest the
Mediterranean bunch now in catalogs (Australians, too).  I have seen rosemary
grown magnificently out west when it is a pot plant here.  

New homes with disturbed soils need work,  other sites are not tillable w/o
some kind of help but the climate, rainfall, and season lengths can be
respected.

Do not be offended, Ross, and grow what you like. That such ideology exists
only expands our gardening choices.  This discussion is not on native vs.
exotic but on adaptation of plants to their sites.   I should confess I had
my husband use a backhoe to get us started on our rocky mountain!  Best tool
I've ever used.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY - zone 4 - Berkshire area - where we are more like desert
than Ross this year 


---------------------
Forwarded message:
From:	ross@dsrt.com (Ross Bishop)
Sender:	iris-l@rt66.com
Reply-to:	iris-l@rt66.com
To:	iris-l@rt66.com (Multiple recipients of list)
Date: 97-08-15 02:50:56 EDT

> So, how about giving the species (especially the natives), as well as
> the Siberians, Japanese, Louisianas a try? When you have selected the
> right plant for your garden, it requires much less maintenance.

Dennis,
Where I live nothing would grow naturally except cactus, sagebrush and
prarie dogs. Perhaps it's human arrogance, but I like my gardens - and
they are all "artificial" in the sense you describe.
Ross
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