Native plants are plants that occur naturally in a region. Having evolved with our region’s climate, soils, and wildlife, they offer a number of environmental and gardening benefits.
Wildlife haven
If you plant it, they will come! Native plants attract a variety of butterflies, bees, birds, and other important pollinators. Most pollinators prefer, many even require, the plants they evolved with for food and habitat. Native plants, thus support the birds, beneficial insects, and other wildlife that prey on those species. Native plants are the foundation of a balanced ecosystem and the key to a pollinator-friendly garden.
Low-maintenance
Unfortunately, no garden can ever be completely free of maintenance, but a native garden will require far less than a traditional one. It is expensive and unnecessary to try and manipulate a site to plant species that are simply intolerant of the natural conditions. Why add an excessive amount of soil amendments to naturally occurring clay soil when there are plenty of native plants that have evolved to thrive in those exact conditions? Selecting plants suitable for a given site saves money, reduces waste (additional water, soil amendments, fertilizer) and restores habitat.
Stormwater management
Native plants are essential in protecting our streams and water quality. Their deep and extensive root systems filter pollutants and absorb stormwater runoff. Wet-tolerant native plants are used in rain gardens, conservation landscapes, and vegetated bioswales to combat stormwater runoff.
Beauty
Inspired by natural plant communities, naturalistic landscaping aims to emulate the harmonious layers found in nature. Plant communities are groups of plants that interact and benefit from each other within a shared environment. Their range of color, textures, heights, and varying bloom and berry times, make for a remarkable display throughout all 4 seasons. Simply stated, native plants are beautiful!
