Big Box stores promote plants like Emerald & Gold as “insect resistant.”
It’s true. As we dug we found some leaf mold, but otherwise the Emerald & Gold leaves were untouched — nothing was eating it.
Something Doug Tallamy said in a lecture at New Jersey Friendly Yard’s 2017 conference really stuck with me: a sign that a plant is not native is that its leaves are pristine. If there are no chomp marks, no holes, no jagged edges…it’s not food.
We also learned from Tallamy that birds raise their young on insects. Not seeds. Caterpillars and other insects are packed with the fat calories and protein that hatchlings need to thrive.
Native plants support native insects that support hatchlings and all the creatures in the interlocking web of life in New Jersey’s unique coastal habitat. Coevolution 101.
Other than the fall berries —the way these invasive shrubs spread beyond suburban gardens! — the Emerald and Gold was no good at supporting wildlife in New Jersey.
Sarah, this is a great post! I really learned a lot about both those two invasive species as well as the role of insects in the food web. As you know, I love ecology, birds, and plants, so the interconnections of an ecosystem are important to me.
I also like the choice of chokeberry. I like its berries and flowers. For fall red color instead of the burning bush, I’m sure there are natives that do the same thing. Staghorn sumac first comes to mind, although maybe that grows too tall. But there has to be more.
I love Staghorn sumac! Or as I used to call it as a kid, “the candle stick tree.” You’re right, Staghorn sumac would have been too tall in front of the kitchen window….Dave and I are considering it in our backyard…but we’re leaning towards Witch Hazel.
Thanks for commenting, Lee!