Going Back to Our Roots: Native Plants and Why They’re So Important

Picture your dream house.

How big is it?

Is it in the mountains, or is it beachside?

Are you a mansion, log cabin in the woods somewhere, low maintenance bungalow, or brick house in the suburbs kind of person?

Maybe you’re lucky enough to already be living in your dream house!

What’s the yard like?

Do you have a vegetable garden?

Maybe you’ve got labyrinthine hedges that lead to a fountain.

Or do you prefer a big grassy hard that’s playtime friendly, with a few trees for the kids to climb?

Some folks get really specific when they daydream about their homes-to-be, right down to the kinds of plants they want in their yard.

Whether or not you have your dream house right now, there’s no reason you can’t have your dream yard.  Most folks just want a yard that looks happy, healthy, thriving, and most importantly, a yard that is low maintenance.

Doesn’t that sound lovely?

There’s one problem, though…

Most homeowners never consider the one factor that will make or break their yard.

They put in whatever plants are in vogue at the time, and then they wonder why that one tree isn’t doing well, why those bushes are always so scraggly looking, or why the butterflies and other pollinators aren’t visiting your flowering garden. 

It’s so easy to forget that we live in a natural world, especially when we’re constantly living our lives separate from nature.  Before that one area was a trendy new apartment complex, it was wetland forest.  The mall on the other side of town used to be a habitat to all kinds of animals and plants.  The land your own home was built on belonged to nature long before you purchased it, and nature will always retain partial ownership.

So, if you want the yard of your dreams, you’re going to have to plan with nature, not against it.

The secret to having the best yard ever is simple: use native plants!

That’s it.

There’s no catch.

Planting species that are native to your area has so many advantages. 

You’ll save water (which means you’ll save on your water bill, too). 

Native plants are genetically accustomed to the amount of water and sun that naturally occur in your area.  They’re expecting the heat, or they’re used to heavy rainfall.  Either way, it’s less work for you, and you end up conserving precious water.

You’ll use less fertilizer (which, again, means you’ll have a happier wallet). 

Native plants have millions of years of evolution behind them that’s made them well suited to the available nutrients in your area’s soil.  Whether that’s clay, sand, or muddy wetland, they’re used to the nutrient diet that already exists.  If and when you fertilize, it’ll be more like a supplement, rather than a main course. Fertilizers aren’t good for the environment, and they can be pretty pricey.  Using less is a win!

Pests are less likely to be an issue, and your plants will organically be healthier and more resilient when harsh conditions come along. 

Again, native plants have millions of years of evolution on their side.  They’ve developed defense mechanisms to discourage pest problems, which means you don’t have to worry.  Any pest issue you do run into is likely to be minor and treatable with neem oil, a nonchemical and environmentally safe pest solution. 

Harsh weather? No big deal.  They’ll bounce back from the occasional weather fiasco just fine. They’re used to it!

You’ll attract all kinds of native animal species to your yard, and that’s especially remarkable for pollinators. 

The birds and bees of your natural environment are used to a certain diet.  They know how to recognize food based on what’s available in their natural habitat.  When you plant non-native plants, it’s foreign to them; they don’t recognize those plants as safe food sources.  Native plants look and smell like food, so pollinators will flock to your yard!  Hooray for biodiversity!

You’ll spend less time worrying about your yard and more time just enjoying nature’s finest.

A garden full of plants that are predisposed to favor the conditions in your area is going to be far less work to maintain.  It’s setting yourself up to be dealt a favorable hand of cards every time, instead of just hoping for the best.

Fewer headaches, fewer expenses, less harm to the environment.

More joy from designing your very own slice of paradise.

“Okay, I’m sold. How do I know what’s native?”

So glad you asked!

If you’re reading this blog, you have access to the most powerful tool in your toolbox: the internet.  Countless credible resources exist to help people like you foster a legacy of environmental care, right at home.

We recommend using the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder.  It’s an online resource that will customize a list of native flowering plants, trees, grasses, and shrubs according to your zip code.  You can also sort your search results according to plants that attract butterflies, if that’s one of your garden goals.  The website allows you to save plants to a list, so you don’t forget what caught your eye. It’s a great place to get started, and it’s so easy!

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) website also has a plant finder feature that allows you to search by nativity for your zone.

Check out your local library.  Many libraries feature programming, and they might have a series on native plants.  It’s a huge trend in the homeowner world right now.

Trends can be fickle, but honestly, we really hope this one is here to stay.  Part of environmental stewardship is considering sustainability and our impact, even with the little things (like “is this bush pollinator friendly for my area?”).  Taking care of the world around us will never go out of style.

What plants have you discovered are native to your area?  Are any going to make it into your yard?