Welcome to the Native Cut Flower Project
|
This project is a partnership between Seeley Farm, NC-SARE, and the Michigan Flower Growers Cooperative. It is a 2-year project that began in 2021 when Seeley Farm received a Farmer-Rancher grant from NC-SARE. The project will trial 20+ species of native, herbaceous flowers and foliage plants to determine their value and marketability in the wholesale floral industry. The project goal is twofold:
|
What is a native plant?
There are as many definitions of "native plants" as there are native plants. We are by no means experts on restoration ecology or native plants, so I will refer to the others on this. A "native plant" as defined by the USDA:
"A plant that is a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem. Note: The word native should always be used with a geographic qualifier (that is, native to New England [for example]). Only plants found in this country before European settlement are considered to be native to the United States."
"A plant that is a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem. Note: The word native should always be used with a geographic qualifier (that is, native to New England [for example]). Only plants found in this country before European settlement are considered to be native to the United States."
Why Native Plants?
“All plants are not created equal, particularly in their ability to support wildlife. Most of our native plant-eaters are not able to eat alien plants, and we are replacing native plants with alien species at an alarming rate, especially in the suburban gardens on which our wildlife increasingly depends."
“Butterflies used to reproduce on the native plants that grew in our yards before the plants were bulldozed and replaced with lawn. To have butterflies in our future, we need to replace those lost host plants, no if’s, and’s or but’s. If we do not, butterfly populations will continue to decline with every new house that is built.” - Bringing Nature Home, Doug Tallamy
In addition to their crucial importance to wildlife, native plants are more drought and flood tolerant than their non-native counterparts. As cut flower crops, when planted in their desired conditions, native plants require less added water, fertility and pesticides than traditional crops, and offer a sustainable option for growers.
“Butterflies used to reproduce on the native plants that grew in our yards before the plants were bulldozed and replaced with lawn. To have butterflies in our future, we need to replace those lost host plants, no if’s, and’s or but’s. If we do not, butterfly populations will continue to decline with every new house that is built.” - Bringing Nature Home, Doug Tallamy
In addition to their crucial importance to wildlife, native plants are more drought and flood tolerant than their non-native counterparts. As cut flower crops, when planted in their desired conditions, native plants require less added water, fertility and pesticides than traditional crops, and offer a sustainable option for growers.
Trial Plant List
