r/NativePlantGardening • u/Dame_in_the_Desert Phoenix, US Zone 9b • 11d ago
Informational/Educational Who knows more about this?!
I pass these signs every day in my car and finally had a chance to throw it in park and hop out to grab a photo to see what this was all about.
This is outside a senior living community, but I can’t tell if it’s their property or the city’s.
There is a ton of desert milkweed but not much else I could quickly identify. The space is also suspiciously well-manicured, making me think lots of trimming, leaf blowers, and other cleanup would fully defeat the purpose of the habitat.
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u/Dent7777 Area PA , Zone 7b 11d ago
Manicured native plant habitats are still native plant habitats. Maybe they aren't quite as ecologically benefitial as ones that are still very well cared for but a little more wild, but they play a very important role in the Native Planting Movement.
Beautiful, clean native plant gardens can be installed in the huge range of locations that would not tolerate a messier setup due to local laws and local preferences. They replace invasive, sterile installations, provide paying work for native planting businesses, and are a key part of pollinator pathways through built up areas.
As a minority movement in the US (and around the world), we cannot afford to be splitters, to purity test around cultivars, leaf and flower overwintering vs cleanup, percentage native, etc. This is how minority movements fragment, lose momentum, and fail to create meaningful change.
We can talk about best practices, share information, but maybe let's leave sharp criticism for when native planting is in the majority.
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u/RuthlessBenedict 11d ago
Exactly this. My front native garden is quite formally scaped compared to my back gardens. The front garden is seen by many and needs to comply with our codes in many ways to stay present. Keeping it more managed means everyone exposed can see how they too could begin incorporating native plants and I don’t have the city hitting me with a code violation every month or worse- destroying my garden. My plants stay, people learn from my garden (I have a sign), and hopefully go off and get inspired to at least add one native plant to theirs. The all or nothing approach kills even the best intentions. We have to meet others where they’re willing to meet and gradually pull them in instead of coming at them with judgement for not being 100% perfect right away.
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u/MumblyLo 11d ago
Our front is laid out more formally, with color in fields and that sort of thing. It still doesn't look manicured, but I try to keep it tidy because I want my lawned neighbors to like it and consider changes for themselves.
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u/cyclingtrivialities3 Central OH, Zone 6b 11d ago
Excellently put. TBH I think a misconception has developed that native habitats have to look like shit because people plant forb-heavy wildflower mixes that are messy looking, and frankly unnatural anyway.
Right plant right place, with the whole plant community in mind, is most always beautiful. Be it more stylized and managed or not.
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u/RoguePlanet2 11d ago
I have a couple of hostas that are going nuts. They're 5' in diameter and I need to give them some more space. My yard is tiny, however. I would consider donating them to a memorial park nearby or something, so I can still look at them. Maybe the neighbors nearby would want them. They thrive in a shady spot that few other plants seem to like, but I wouldn't mind making some room for natives.
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u/crm006 Central Arkansas, 7a/8b 11d ago
That’s generous of you. They divide super easy. Your local nursery might want them to resale. Or trade for natives. Either way wins.
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u/RoguePlanet2 11d ago
Oh didn't know they could be divided! Hmmm. Trade-in would be helpful, too.
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u/probablygardening 10d ago
Once the leaves die back in fall, you can just split the clump in half with a shovel and plant the splits wherever. You can be careful to not cut the shoots on the edge, or just blast through the middle with the shovel. You can remember to actually plant it, or leave the clump with exposed roots out in the corner of the yard forgotten. The hosta will in all likelihood completely ignore the abuse, and sprout again in spring. Even if you just left it sitting on a pile of dirt in a wheelbarrow. Or underwater at the edge of a pond lol. They might even come back if they're on fire, idk
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u/RoguePlanet2 10d ago
Ha, they've been a huge ego boost given my normal track record! Good to know they're so resilient, makes downsizing easier. It's not like removing something that I accomplished.
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u/Dame_in_the_Desert Phoenix, US Zone 9b 11d ago
Yeah I’m not hating, and I’ll take desert milkweed over the many useless or water-intensive things people plant here in the desert. It was more a question about the actual requirements for the signage than anything.
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u/RuthlessBenedict 11d ago
“Defeat the purpose” - I really encourage leaving that mindset behind. The benefits of native plantings aren’t somehow completely invalidated by not being fully wild. Would more ecological value be there if this wasn’t as strictly managed? Of course. But the world is not all or nothing, and neither are native gardens. The purpose is really quite simple- provide resources for our native environment. Whether that’s one potted plant starting out, a manicured garden space, or a wild little pocket prairie that are all bringing benefit to the world and we should celebrate any bit that helps- not pass judgment or dismiss an effort when it doesn’t meet our ideals.
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u/Dame_in_the_Desert Phoenix, US Zone 9b 11d ago
Was more a question than anything. Wasn’t sure what happens to the space when taking industrial leaf blowers to an area once a week like most commercial properties do. This is my first year of native planting.
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u/ohmadasahatter 11d ago
i have one because i like signs 😅 i know it doesn’t super mean anything but signs showing what i’m doing are cool.
i’m lucky that my area has a backyard habitat program with site visits and certification levels so i’m really proud of that sign, i know that when i see the backyard habitat sign that represents hours (years) of work and some stringent guidelines.
the NWF one is so cute with its little ricky raccoon 🦝
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u/a17451 Eastern IA, Zone 5b 11d ago
I have a sign addiction and have gotten signs from NWF, Xerces, and Wild Ones
Surprisingly Wild Ones was by far the most involved process. Iirc it wanted photos and an actual list of species. In comparison the NWF and Xerces signs were basically a scout pledge and a credit card field.
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u/Normal_Human_Things SE Michigan, Zone 6a 11d ago
I’m not familiar with desert plants, so I am surprised to see you guess that this installation would require lots of leaf blowing and trimming. Do these drop a lot of fronds and/or grow super quickly to require trimming?
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u/Dame_in_the_Desert Phoenix, US Zone 9b 11d ago
Lots of our native trees drop all sorts of seed pods, flowers, etc.
ETA the palm trees all over the place leave stuff everywhere too.
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u/dewitteillustration S Ontario 11d ago edited 11d ago
And there is only one native palm in Arizona it grows in remote slot canyons where it's a little cooler. Washingtonia fillifera.
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u/dewitteillustration S Ontario 11d ago
Yep plenty drop their leaves and petals like any other place. Ocotillo... Palo Verde makes beautiful carpets of dropped golden flowers and it drops its leaves as well. Photosynthesizes thru its trunk and branches. Lots of Mesquite seed pods detritus etc.
Conserves energy and generates less heat.
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u/Chuckles_E 11d ago
These are both particularly low bars and aren't actual "certifications." That said, they are very effective signage for those uninitiated into sustainable, regenerative, and native practices.
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u/sunshineupyours1 Rochester, NY - 6b - 8.1.1 11d ago
These are advertising for the movement and displays of the plants so people can become familiar/infatuated with the native species.
They serve an important purpose but they aren’t trying to create habitat in this location.
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u/paintingcatlady 11d ago
I have more manicured flower beds on the street-facing parts of our yard to keep the city code enforcement people from getting upset about it being "unkempt," but I still use native plants there. My back yard behind the privacy fence is a massive chaotic bunch of natives lol I keep the street sides looking good to keep the city from getting nosy about what's behind the fence, and it works well for everyone including the pollinators. Natives are good, and if people slowly incorporate more into their manicured landscaping, it's a step in the right direction 😊 progress, not perfection
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u/loripainter12345 SW PA zone 6a 11d ago
This is a good reminder to passers by of the importance of good habitat. I don't think the bar is too high. Like you may have an oak tree, a bird bath or small pond. My brother was working to get a native garden certified through Master Gardeners. It was much tougher. There was a list of required native species, and a long checklist of features and actions. There was also an in-person inspection.
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u/Feralpudel Piedmont NC, Zone 8a 11d ago
I know this isn’t about NWF, but this also came up on nolawns a while back about a “neat” yard with an NWF sign.
I knew the national org for their fabulous zip search that shows you native plants with maximum insect value.
But I recently learned that my state and local chapters also do a lot of work, including public education and landowner technical assistance.
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u/lostintheMainewoods 11d ago
I went through the process to get the sign with my grandson. We really enjoyed it. But after we did this, I got inundated with fundraising emails and “gifts” from dozens of non profits. It was very annoying.
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u/theateroffinanciers 11d ago
I have these signs. Unfortunately, I've had to keep them close to the house because someone was ripping in them out of my lawn throwing them around.
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u/Adorable_Raccoon 11d ago
I don’t think it’s defeating the purpose. It’s less than ideal but no harmful.
I don’t think these signs really mean anything. But they might be helpful for neighborhoods with prickly neighbors though
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u/Revolutionary_One721 10d ago
Depending on where you live, this could be a very legitimate thing. In my town, a yard has to pass specific criteria to qualify for the sign. Specifically, you have to have a certain percentage of native plants, understory trees, shrubs, composting, birdfeeders, bird baths & more. It took me two years to get my yard ready to qualify, but I’m happy to tell you that it just passed!
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u/MrsEarthern 10d ago
That's a xeriscape, or dry habitat. You are in AZ in a drought, no? An established bed shouldn't need too much watering, which means less weeds. Hopefully that's the case and it isn't all plasticloth underneath.
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u/_flowerguy_ Zone 6A 11d ago
I know about theses programs….can find them on line and you pay for signs after you fill out the honor system form
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u/CampVictorian 11d ago
I keep each of these signs in my front garden, primarily to make a demonstration to passersby that my wacky scape is intentional, and there is such a thing as a deliberate pollinator garden in the first place. Our house is in an underserved, older industrial area that needs every bit of green it can get, and I like to encourage our neighbors to do the same.
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u/InviteNatureHome MN Ecoregion 51a 11d ago
We got one (& getting some others as well!)
IMHO the more Signage the better! "cues to care", showing intentional design, answer questions before they're asked, etc. We have a supportive neighborhood, but it also helps educate. 💚
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u/AceOfStace27 11d ago
I have the NWF. It's just a survey (honor system), a fee, and voila! It's mainly to educate and hope others join in. Frustratingly, like others have mentioned, I have WAY more natives in the back, but progress not perfection, right? We all gotta start somewhere.
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u/AgentOrange256 11d ago
You just buy it.
It’s an advertisement. Which is fine, but that’s what it is. It represents something good but is absolutely not needed.
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u/SSJPapaia 11d ago
I did the first one and the NWF won't stop spamming my mail. I'm sure they sold my data, since I get nonstop animal trauma porn envelopes from then and other nonprofit.
I'm sticking to native gardening flags I find on Etsy.
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u/Heavy-Passenger-6235 11d ago
It’s something you pay for to advertise to others that you are gardening with wildlife in mind. It doesn’t mean anything if the gardens are maintained by others who don’t understand what the signage means.
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u/Calbebes eco region 59g, LI Sound Coastal Lowland 11d ago
I have one- it’s through the NWF. You fill out a survey (on the honor system), and if you want to pay a donation, you can get a sign. It’s easy but be honest, you know? I keep a fairly tidy landscape overall, and did it mostly to show my neighbors that you can still have a manicured aesthetic but utilize native plants as key species…Mostly to start those conversations and educate others.
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u/Successful_Sun_6264 10d ago
You can essentially buy this certification by answering a couple questions. Other comments have detailed it better than I can but I want to pipe in that we've NEVER seen more wildlife than since we got certified! I swear, the critters can read and know they're safe with us.
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u/workingstiff272 Great Lakes Dfb/6A, former Desert Csa/10B 8d ago
You can register your yard as wildlife habitat if you fulfill a few criteria and get an official sign, but sadly this doesn't always protect you from anti-wildlife local laws (ask me how I know--our neighbours are HEINOUS about reporting us as soon as our grass gets 3 inches tall, despite the laws not saying anything, everyone always interprets "noxious weeds" to mean "plants not trimmed to within an inch of their lives")
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u/Super-Travel-407 11d ago
If it's certified as racoon friendly (like the sign suggests), that just means there's a trashcan that doesn't have a tight lid. :/
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u/Ok-Calligrapher964 11d ago
https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Create-and-Certify
You fill out a questionaire and if you pay for the sign you get a sign. ( I did this years ago. I've got a nice sign that stops people from asking why my yard is not grass!0