October 22, 2025
When we first envisioned the Lemonade Valley Planting Project, we faced a fundamental question: any trees would make the landscape greener, so why insist on native species? The answer lies beneath the surface. While non-native plants may offer quick greenery, they often create silent, sterile landscapes—beautiful to look at but empty of life.
Our commitment to natives isn’t just botanical preference; it’s about rebuilding an entire ecosystem from the ground up. Native oak trees support over 500 species of caterpillars that feed local birds, while non-native ginkgos support virtually none. The specific nectar in our native wildflowers matches the exact tongue length of our local pollinators, and the berries our shrubs will produce provide the perfect nutrition for migrating birds.
Every native plant we placed in Lemonade Valley’s soil represents a carefully chosen piece of a complex puzzle—a puzzle that, when complete, will create a self-sustaining habitat where nature can truly thrive. This is the real transformation: not just planting trees, but planting relationships that will sustain Lemonade Valley for generations to come.