Native Plants for Your Garden

Native plants have evolved alongside local wildlife for thousands of years. They require less water, no pesticides, and provide essential habitat for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.

Benefits of Native Plants

• Adapted to local conditions: Need less water and fertilizer
• Wildlife support: Food and habitat for local species
• Low maintenance: Thrive with minimal intervention
• Pest resistant: Evolved defenses against local pests
• Deep roots: Prevent erosion, improve soil
• No invasive tendencies: Won't escape and cause problems

Native Plants by Region

Northeast

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
• New England Aster
• Eastern Columbine
• Wild Bergamot
• Joe-Pye Weed

Southeast

• Purple Coneflower
• Coral Honeysuckle (vine)
• Swamp Sunflower
• Scarlet Sage
• Virginia Sweetspire

Midwest

• Prairie Dropseed (grass)
• Blazing Star
• Compass Plant
• Big Bluestem
• Rattlesnake Master

West

• California Poppy
• Manzanita
• Desert Marigold
• Penstemon species
• Buckwheat (Eriogonum)

Creating a Native Garden

Start Small

Replace one bed at a time. Even a small native planting provides benefits and helps you learn before expanding.

Design for Year-Round Interest

• Spring: Columbine, Virginia bluebells, wild phlox
• Summer: Coneflowers, milkweed, black-eyed Susan
• Fall: Asters, goldenrod, ornamental grasses
• Winter: Seed heads, dried grasses, evergreen shrubs

Native Plants for Specific Purposes

Pollinators

• Milkweed (essential for monarchs)
• Goldenrod (late-season bee food)
• Native asters
• Wild bergamot

Birds

• Serviceberry (berries)
• Oak trees (caterpillars = bird food!)
• Elderberry
• Native sunflowers

Shade

• Wild ginger
• Ferns (many native species)
• Solomon's seal
• Woodland phlox

Establishing Native Plants

• Fall planting is often best (time to establish roots)
• Water first year until established
• Mulch to suppress weeds (but not too deep)
• Be patient—natives are slow to establish but long-lived
• Leave seed heads for winter interest and birds