As spring approaches, you may be anxious to get started in the garden. Make sure your new plantings are compatible with their surroundings. Exotic plants may look good in a magazine spread but they will not improve the local ecosystem. Leave the experiments to the university botanists. Instead, populate your landscape with native flora. Here’s why —

1.  Native plants are healthier and stronger

Native plants adapted to specific conditions over million of years making them healthier and stronger choices than their non-native counterparts. Their roots are the right depth and acclimated to the unique soil type and precipitation levels of each region. Their stems and leaves can withstand harsh sun, high winds, even minimal rainfall, depending on where they are. The will efficiently grow back year after year.

2.  Native plants save time, money, and water!

3.  Native plants create a natural wildlife habitat

When the landscape is made up of native plants, it creates a natural habitat for the area’s wildlife. They provide perfect homes and nourishment to the local fauna. Bats, birds, bees, and butterflies drink the nectar, and bunnies, deer, squirrels, and wild turkeys eat the nuts, seeds, leaves, and fruits.

We are frequently reminded of the need to save American bumblebees. However, populations of birds and butterflies are also plummeting, and these species may be lost for good if we don’t maintain a natural habitat for them.

Supporting local efforts to add native plants along side bike trails, among the planted areas in our parks, even around the business and commercial buildings helps to create an interconnected environment can only benefit the pollinators. A pollinator-friendly garden can help.

4.  Native plants are non-invasive

Native plants allow other plants in your yard to grow freely. They play ‘nicely’ with one another. Exotic or invasive plants, on the other hand, can quickly and easily choke out your native plants and take over the landscape altogether. If that happens, you may spend time, money, and effort to undo all the damage inflicted by an alien species that’s ran amok.

 5.  Native plants are low-maintenance and beautiful

Native plants spruce up your outdoor living space. They add splendor to landscapes with a wealth of color, texture, and height. And most likely, they are extremely low-maintenance!

Planting native shrubs and ground cover eliminates the need for a mower, edger, and trimmer. That cuts down on the time spent working on your lawn, the money you spend on gas, and the air pollution that results from gas-powered tools.

6. Native plants are environmentally friendly

Native plants require little pesticide because they are naturally resistant to the local pests and diseases that will harm them. Unlike invasive plants, they provide food for the animals, so they don’t grow out of control. They also prevent soil erosion, improve air quality, and absorb excess carbon dioxide in the air.

7. Native plants can address your garden’s problems

Is your soil compacted or thick? Several native plants, like alfalfa, dandelion, and chicory will grow in clay-like soil and break it up. Standing water? Create a rain garden. Such gardens are placed in areas where water naturally collects.

When you plant bank, slope, and basin plants, you’ll be able to get rid of that standing water, grow beautiful plants, and support more wildlife. Are you noticing a lot of erosion? Native ground covers will protect the area from soil runoff and eroding edges.

Native, non-native, and invasive plants: So, what’s the difference?

If this discussion about native plants is a little confusing, don’t fret. Here’s what you need to remember:

Native Plants

• Natural in specific areas since the last ice age
• Well-adapted to the environment
• Provide food and shelter for local animals
• Support and benefit the environment

 Non-Native Plants or Exotics

• Introduced unnaturally by humans
• May or may not harm the local ecosystem

Invasive Plants

• Harmful to the local environment
• Sometimes kills native fauna

What to do with invasive plants

What if you already have an invasive plant growing in your yard? If you live in any part of the southeastern U.S., there’s a good chance you have kudzu, which is the most invasive plant in the U.S.

If you live out west, you may be dealing with cheatgrass. Northerners have to deal with the notorious tree of heaven, and New Englanders fight cow parsley, among many others.

The best way to eliminate these unwanted and dangerous plants is to use a herbicide –– glyphosate and triclopyr are the most effective ingredients to look for. If the plant is small enough and there aren’t too many, digging them up is a quick and easy way to get rid of them –– but be sure to get the entire root system!

Suffocating an invasive plant also can work. Place plastic over the plant and secure it with stakes. The plant won’t receive the air, sun, or water it needs to survive. This process won’t be quick though –– it could take a year or two for the entire plant and root system to die.

If you already have an invasive plant on your property that you actually quite like, keep it under observation. Make sure it doesn’t propagate and smother your native plants. If you decide eventually to replace it, there is likely a native alternative and it may even be much safer for our environment.

Conclusion

You can make a real difference by creating a landscape with native plants. The National Audubon Society’s guide for native plants will help you choose the best plants for your area. You can also check out our blogs to read more about gardening and planting. Remember: by utilizing native plants, you are supporting biodiversity and ensuring a better environment for future generations.

Alissa is a writer for LawnStarter, and while she may not have a green thumb, she enjoys writing and reading about plants, gardening, and lawn care. She’s a mom to three boys, a football coach’s wife, a grad student, and an amateur photographer. When she’s not writing for LawnStarter, she likes working out, cooking, and being active and creative.