Oklahomans are increasingly choosing native grasses and trees for landscaping, ranching and erosion control efforts to provide ecological and economic benefits.
Botanical Collections Curator for Tulsa’s Gathering Place, Kendall Golden-Spradlin stresses that Oklahoma’s unpredictable weather includes prolonged droughts, storms and floods, and temperatures ranging from triple-digits to below-freezing, which are all hard on plant life. As well, Oklahoma’s diverse landscape ranges from tallgrass prairie and Cross Timbers forests to rolling plains.
In Stillwater, Assistant Extension Specialist in Consumer Horticulture for Oklahoma State University (OSU) Courtney DeKalb-Myers agrees, but says “native prairie grasses like bluestem, switchgrass and Indiangrass develop deep root systems to enable them to find moisture during drought, stabilize soil during heavy rains and recover more quickly after stressful weather.”
Golden-Spradlin says these grasses help the soil absorb and hold water, and “native trees are better at tolerating local temperature swings, winds and drought.”
Native plants also support the ecosystem due to their natural relationships with native insects, pollinators, birds and wildlife, while acting as food sources and habitats, thus keeping the ecosystem functioning. They also improve soil water infiltration. Deep-rooted grasses reduce erosion during heavy rains while providing shelter for wildlife.
“Research shows that a single native oak can support hundreds of insect species, thereby providing an important food source for nesting birds,” says DeKalb-Myers.
Dekalb-Myers also notes that Oklahomans are realizing the economic benefits of native plants, and says that “these species require less supplemental irrigation, fewer fertilizer applications and fewer pesticide treatments, translating into lower maintenance costs for homeowners.”
Golden-Spradlin continues: “Native plants offer seasonal interest and create a stronger sense of place by reflecting Oklahoma’s natural heritage, and are a smart, sustainable investment in the health and resilience of our communities.”
When transitioning to native plants, Golden-Spradlin says, “you don’t have to convert your entire yard overnight. Even small changes can make a meaningful difference.”
DeKalb-Myers stresses that plants will only thrive if they are properly taken care of during the critical establishment period. When purchasing containerized perennials or ball and burlap trees, they need extra attention and care, which includes deep watering during the first few growing seasons. But once established, their roots will grow into the surrounding soil and usually won’t require as much supplemental irrigation. Even home gardeners should be aware that they are growing plants in a built environment, which is more stressful to the plants than a wild environment.
As well, she says, “plants that are placed near concrete often experience higher soil and air temperatures, struggling to develop widespread root systems under sidewalks and driveways. Newer neighborhoods that have been heavily regraded may have shallow topsoil, making it difficult for roots to establish. Native plants are still affected by unique stresses of the built environment.”
