Native or Cultivar: What's the Difference & Does It Matter?

Liz Zetlin explains the differences between natives and cultivars, and shares examples from her garden with tips for incorporating more pollinators.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Submitted by Liz Zetlin

Fall is the season of asters. They are gorgeous. I've been learning the importance of native plants and native asters are among the best. I'm slowly adding them to our small urban garden.

But I was seduced by this luxurious 'Woods Pink' aster, a cultivar. In her third year, she's almost too pretty for my tast…