Heritage plants – hardy plants from the old days
There are plants that have been grown for generations simply because they are so good. Among these tried and tested favorites are wonderful vegetable plants, flowers, shrubs and trees. They are hardy, but also loved by bees and butterflies.
Imagine a tomato or a cucumber that has been grown since the 19th century in your own area, or perhaps a bean that has been inherited in a family for hundreds of years and slowly improved because only the finest beans have been selected for sowing.
Plants that have been grown in the Nordic countries for generations tell our story, but also have unique genetic characteristics. In many cases, they are original or very little refined. Instead, development has occurred through natural selection - those who grow have simply selected the best seeds and thus created stronger plants over the years.
These older plants are often very hardy in our climate and resistant to pests. This, together with other genetic characteristics, makes them interesting genetic material to base themselves on in the future. For us who grow at home, they are interesting for other reasons - namely, they almost guarantee a crop and are positive for diversity.
Older plants help butterflies, bumblebees and bees
Plants that have been cultivated somewhere in the world for fifty years or more are now classified as “heritage plants,” but which plants should bear this title is a matter of debate. Many believe that the plants should be older than fifty years, local, and also able to be pollinated by wind or insects in order to be called heritage plants.
Regardless of how these older plants are defined, and what labels are put on them, we can conclude that they are very good plants that have stood the test of time with flying colors.
The fact that they have existed for a long time means that many pollinators have become accustomed to them, either as a food source or a place to lay eggs. Some insects only eat pollen and nectar from one or two types of flowers, and these plants are therefore particularly important to preserve. They also have their own place in ecosystems; if they disappear, certain insects may also disappear – which affects further up the food chain.
By growing older varieties, you are not only preserving a specific plant, but you are also making an important contribution to wildlife. It can be compared to the conservation work for older livestock breeds – we are preserving something unique for the future.
Benefits of heritage plants
- We carry on traditional plants and growing traditions.
- We get plants that are hardy in our climate and can withstand most pest attacks.
- We help important pollinators - which in itself gives better crops.
- You can take seeds from the plants yourself.
- Suitable for all gardens
Regardless of whether you have an older or more modern garden, it can be nice to take up the cultivation traditions from your area. Partly because the plants thrive in the environment, but also because it is exciting to research the stories that accompany the local varieties. The names often provide clues, many varieties are local and have been named accordingly.
There are also cultural heritage varieties from other parts of the world that are very worth growing. Be sure to look for the label "Cultural Heritage", which can be found on some of the seed bags from Impecta.
Swedish garden inspirer, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Soil", "Grow for insects" and "Chickens as a hobby".
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