BACYARD SECRET – BUYING CULTIVARS IS SOMETIMES RISKY

      When you are shopping for native plants, sometimes you must decide whether to buy a plant that is not a hybrid or a cultivar.  Which should you choose?

       Although many cultivars often produce larger and more blossoms than those that are not hybrids, sometimes their ability to produce pollen and/or nectar is either lost or lessened during the breeding process.  Consequently, if you were planting a native plant for its beauty and ability to supply food for pollinators, you would be better off not buying a cultivar.

       However, many cultivars do not lose their ability to produce nectar and pollen.  Consequently, if possible, ask a friend or county agent if they know anything about a cultivar you are thinking about buying.  You can also check the Internet.  Often it can provide you with a wealth of information about the attributes of cultivars.

       Transplanting the right plant in your garden can make a big difference to the pollinators that you hope it will benefit and your own satisfaction.

       If you know excellent cultivars, please share their names with the rest of us.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.