The Grow Native: Don’t Plant a Pest public education campaign has been a huge success – since August of 2006 we have distributed over 50,000 brochures in English and Spanish to local governments, home owner’s associations, schools, nurseries, and conservation organizations throughout southern Arizona.

Even so, butterfly and hummingbird gardeners in many neighborhoods across Arizona are finding that their neighborhood rules are not necessarily supportive of native plants. For example, one management company in Marana, AZ regularly features an article in their newsletter about their position that “wildflowers are weeds.” Residents are actually receiving citations for having native wildflowers in their yards, although ironically those with non-native invasives such as African sumac (Rhus lancea) and fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) are deemed acceptable. Clearly we have our work cut out for us in educating these entities about not only the dangers of invasive ornamentals, but the value of native plants in residential landscapes.

The conservation committee is getting very interested in finding ways (in addition to the brochure and presentations) to bring about a native plant paradigm shift. Please share your ideas and experiences with us – we would like to hear about what is happening from across the state!