I picked a native garden over a lawn and my HOA hates me now

Last spring I decided to rip out my front lawn in Portland and plant all native flowers and shrubs instead. The HOA sent me three warnings in two months, but I stuck with it because the bees and butterflies went nuts for the milkweed and lupine. My neighbor actually thanked me because her tomatoes got more pollination this year. Has anyone else dealt with an HOA fighting their native plant choices?

2 comments

2 Comments

margaret_bennett329d agoTop Commenter

250 feet is the number I read recently from a study about native plants helping nearby vegetable gardens. That tomato pollination thing makes SO much sense when you think about it, @johnson.lee. I hope you dig your heels in on this one because the bees are clearly voting for you.

johnson.lee29d ago

I saw a piece on Oregon Public Broadcasting about this exact situation. Apparently Portland's city code actually has a "right to garden" provision that can override HOAs on native plants in some cases. Your neighbor's tomato pollination comment is spot on - native plants can boost yields for vegetable gardens within a quarter mile or something like that. Might be worth checking if your local extension office has a native plant certification that could back you up with the HOA board.