Lawton Park Community Garden
Why create a Pollinator Pathway?
Native Plant Gardens help preserve biodiversity. Native insect populations are in decline due to habitat loss, pesticide usage and the presence of non-native plants in our gardens and parks. Urban development, climate change and pollution are all factors that affect insect populations. There are many insect and bee species that are at risk. If we replace lawns, or even a small part of a lawn, and replace non-native species with species that are native to this area, we can increase biodiversity and rebuild ecological balance even in an urban area. This would help not only insects (ie bees and butterflies) but also birds and other animals that live in this system and feed on insects. Native plants do not need as much maintenance as non-natives. After they are established they will not need much watering because the roots are much deeper. There is no need to apply herbicides, pesticides or fungicides so the soil, water and air will be healthier as well. Brookline Pollinator Pathway would like to create as many native plant gardens as possible so insects do not have to travel far to find food and shelter. For more information visit Pollinator Pathway.
Native Plants at Lawton Park Community Garden
We have about 16 different native plant species growing along the fence at the community garden. Please stop by to see how they look. Maybe you'll catch them flowering. The first six plants on the list are easy to find and rabbits do not eat them. If you want to add natives to your garden, consider one (or more) of these! There is a list of native plant nurseries below. We are trying to follow the list of plants created by Dr. Gegear of UMass Dartmouth who researches at risk insects. Click here for Dr. Gegear's list.
Butterflyweed - Asclepias tuberosa
Nice flowers
Tall
Beautiful
Native Plant Nurseries in the area
Blue Stem Natives -