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Why Native Plants?

Native plants grow naturally in regions where they have evolved over time. They provide habitat to native insects, pollinators, birds, and other animals who have co-evolved with them. Unfortunately, the increase of exotic plants (nonnative) added in garden spaces and encroaching in natural areas, in addition to the expanse of lawns, is causing an ecological desert to form for the pollinating insects that are essential to our survival. In other words, no pollinators means no us.

The good news is that we can turn this around by incorporating native plants in our own backyards. While it may require a little extra effort to learn about native plants and where to find them, native plants support our native wildlife and can be easier to care for over the long term. The best part is the spectacular hours of entertainment the birds and pollinators will provide for years to come.

What’s native to my area?

National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder

Benefits of Native Plants

  • Save Water and Time - Native plants typically require less maintenance once they’re established if planted in the appropriate soil conditions and sun exposure.

  • Get Off My Lawn - Over 40 million acres in the U.S. is made up of suburban lawn, or turf grass. Turf-grass does not support anything and requires poisonous chemicals to keep it looking pristine which is harmful to our health and to our watersheds. By adding native plants and reducing lawn, we can restore some of our ecosystem and provide more habitat for insects, pollinators, and birds. 

  • Non-Toxic Relationship - Native plants don’t require chemical pesticides and herbicides. They rely on the insects, pollinators, and birds to take care of that. 

  • Enjoy the Show - Native plants are beautiful and pollinators will be all abuzz about them.

  • Be the Change - Incorporating native trees and plants and reducing lawns can help combat climate change. Trees store carbon dioxide, native plants attract the pollinators, and less lawns means less chemicals and air pollution.  

“This notion that we’re separate from nature is what’s killing us. We are totally dependent on nature. We have to learn to live together because we need ecosystem services everywhere, not just in parks and preserves.”

— Doug Tallamy professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware

 

Where to Get Native Plants