What Is A Native Plant?

I read something recently in which the writer stated that "nothing from the East and nothing from Europe will grow here;  we should grow natives like lavender and daylilies".  I realized that there is still a lot of confusion about what exactly a native plant is . . .and isn't.  Also, there is a misconception that only natives can be waterwise or drought-tolerant.  Let's see if we can straighten some of this out.

A native plant is a plant that is endemic and/or indigenous to a given region during a specified period of geologic time.
- Some plants are found only in the Wasatch Mountains
- Some plants are found only in the Four Corners region, or the Great Basin
- Some plants are found all over the Western US, Canada and Mexico
- Some plants are found all over the Great Plains and sometimes in the Southwest
- on and on, you get the point

There are many plants native to other places in the world (where the climate is similar to that of Utah) which can be grown here easily.  A good example is lavender, native to Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Africa, Southwestern Asia and India (not the Americas).  Another example of a non-native that does well here is the daylily, native to Eurasia, China, Korea and Japan.  There are hundreds of others.

As Utah gardeners move toward using less water in their landscapes, a basic understanding of waterwise, drought- tolerant, native and non-native plants will be increasingly helpful.  The species and varieties of plants that will thrive in Utah are abounding, both native and non-native.  The possible combinations (based on similar needs) for design and beauty are endless!

Utah Native, Wasatch Penstemon - Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

Daylily - Catherine Woodbury - Sandy, Utah

Lavender - Salt Lake City

Utah Native, Fireweed - Alta, Utah

Daylily Personalities

I think some plants have personalities and attitudes.  Daylilies are generally cheerful and joyous.  Occasionally, when planted in groups, they get a little loud.  There is one daylily cultivar growing in my yard that is self-centered and somewhat aloof.  Some years he doesn't even bloom, and there is no good reason.  I have to assume he "just doesn't feel like it".   However, when he does bloom, he is a sight to behold.  He gets away with his attitude because he looks like this:

Daylily Frank Gladney

Daylily Frank Gladney

Daylily - My Favorite Perennial!

The daylily is my favorite perennial. Ok, I have lots of favorite perennials, but daylilies are in my top 5. They love heat and sun, they are moderately waterwise, and they are stunningly beautiful. Daylilies are easy to grow and are not fussy about soil.  Their un-opened buds are edible!  In Utah, they bloom from late June through early August, depending on the variety.  There are thousands of varieties to choose from, ranging in color from white to black and every color of the spectrum in between - except true blue.  Daylily hybridizers have for years been trying to produce a blue daylily.  They have come close with some lavenders and purples.  Daylilies are a "must have" for any serious perennial garden.

Daylily Catherine Woodbury