Gardening Q & A: From Clay-Pot Drainage to Native Plants

A: Actually it's pretty simple, but you'll need a masonry bit, which is made for drilling through concrete. Attach the bit to the drill chuck, place the bit on the container surface, and apply general pressure to the pot at a relatively slow pace.

Q: I don't like tomato stakes, and I don't have room to store those remesh cages. Any suggestions?

Q: Exactly what are native plants, and why are they all the rage?

A: Strictly speaking, a native plant is one that has been growing in the United States since before the European settlers arrived. However, there are purists who insist that a truly native plant is one that has been growing within 50 miles of a given area for at least 300 years. All other plants, including many growing in your garden right now, are considered non-native or exotic even though they may have naturalized in fields or along roadsides for centuries without cultivation.

As for why they are all the rage these days, I think much of it has to do with the mistaken notion that native plants will grow without any effort on our part. I'm here to tell you that's just not so. Generally speaking, native plants require just as much time and attention as well-adapted, non-native plants, and in some cases, they actually require more care. Besides, if you eliminated all non-native plants from your landscape, you wouldn't be able to grow and enjoy many of today's most popular plants, from azaleas, Japanese maples and fescue, to all but three vegetables.

So I think the renewed interest in native plants is great, but I think the best-looking garden contains both native and non-native plants.