What are Native Plants?
Native plants are those that existed before the European settlement of the United States. They are the joe-pyes, the coneflowers, the hyssops, the bluebells, the golden rods, and the phloxes (among others). They are the plants that co-evolved with our ecosystem, naturally adapting to the landscape over thousands of years. They are the plants that formed clever, mutualistic relationships with the bugs and birds, drawing many into their colorful flowers by way of sweet reward. In return, natives dust those pollinators with pollen, which they carry far and wide, ensuring the ongoing propagation of native plants. It's so fascinating to think how wonderfully clever our native plants are.
Why Plant Natives?
Apart from being clever, native plants are helpful to the earth. For starters, native plants have deeper roots than many annuals, non-natives, and turf grasses. The deeper roots allow natives to access more stores of water, meaning that they are more drought-tolerant than the others. In turn, natives can help prevent soil erosion -- all that run-off that comes from constantly watering annual plants and turf grass.
Natives are also less particular about regular maintenance. Ever notice how fussy annuals can be, needing constant water and fertilizer? Not natives! They are naturally adapted to our soils, so they often grow without the need for soil amendments by relying on their former selves for nutrients. And because they grow so well, they can quickly form dense, colorful canopies that block the sun from hitting the soil, where the seeds of weeds are just waiting to germinate. If you want a low-maintenance garden, then you want natives!
Let’s get started creating your native garden!