There’s a definite nip in the air these days, but there are benefits to the cooler temperatures. This year, one of the biggest benefits is that I can now enjoy my garden without being devoured by mosquitoes. The cool temperatures, along with decreasing amounts of daylight, also bring about the spectacular leaf colours that define autumn (not ‘fall’ -that is when all the leaves cover the ground, and you are outside in the bitter wind trying to rake them up.)

Mother Nature is a brilliant designer. Fall asters, Queen Anne’s lace, and Goldenrod are woven together, punctuated with masses of Sumac boasting brilliant red-orange leaves and deep red seed heads. Open fields gracefully display tall grasses rustling in the cool breezes. In woodlands, rich green ferns stand erect among brightly coloured fallen leaves. Front gardens boast brightly coloured mums among the masses of annuals that are fast becoming mush due to frost.

Hmmm, this last picture doesn’t evoke the same calming, natural feeling as the others.

There’s nothing wrong with using some brightly coloured ephemerals to dress up your entry. But there is something to be said for using native plants in your garden. Nature does, with astounding results.

For many people, the phrase ‘native garden’ evokes images of messy, weedy looking yards. Nature is not messy. And not all natural plants are ‘weeds’. A weed is a plant growing where you don’t want it: grass is a weed in the flower bed; daisies are weeds in the lawn. Good principles of garden design should be applied, whether the plants within that garden are native or otherwise.

There are many good reasons for using native plants. The introduction of some non-native plants has had serious ramifications on the environment and sustainability of some native plants. Sometimes, non-natives do not come with their non-native natural predators. And sometimes they do, which presents another problem. In short, using native plants just makes good ecological sense.

We go for walks in conservation areas and admire the natural beauty. Why not create that beauty at home? An increasing number of nurseries now offer native plants. Some deal exclusively with natives.

To learn more about using native plants and share experiences with other gardeners, come to the next meeting of the Flamborough Horticultural Society on Wednesday, October 15 at 7:30 p. m. at Strabane United Church, just north of 8th Concession West on Brock Road. Dr. Glen Lumis of the University of Guelph will educate us on unusual and interesting native plants.

Kathy Steel is the Publicity Chair for the Flamborough Horticultural Society, which meets on the third Wednesday of the month. For more information on the society, e-mail kbrunsch@cogeco.ca or call 905-659-2132.