The use of native plants in the landscape has gained in popularity over the last few years because they look good and they are more likely to thrive with less maintenance than non-native plants. Using native plants in landscapes is vital for preserving biodiversity. This is important for maintaining populations of insects, birds and other native animals. To further the argument for their use, naïve plants require less water, fertilizer and treatment to protect them from insects and diseases.
What Is A Native Plant?
Native plants are those that occur naturally in the area in which they have evolved. These plants are important because as they have evolved, the native animal life that depend on these plants have also evolved. Insects, birds and other animals that rely on them for food, as well as the animals that in turn eat them, rely on a steady and large enough population of the plants for the specie to survive.
Why Use Native Plants?
- Native plants are often more resistant to diseases than non-native plants.
- Native plants are often more resistant to insect damage than non-native plants.
- Less use of pesticides and chemicals are required for native plants to thrive.
- Native plants are adapted to the local environment and conditions.
- Native plants require less water. Native plants provide shelter and food to wildlife.
- Native plants look good in the landscape.
Some Of Our Favorite Native Plants:
Every region has native plants that are perfect for the landscape. This particular list is focused on planting zone 5-9.
Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly Weed
A punch of intense tangerine orange invites droves of butterflies. A butterfly host plant for Monarchs in particular; butterflies also cherish its lavish flower clusters filled with scrumptious nectar.
Buy Asclepias tuberose seeds on Amazon
Rudbeckia hirta – Black Eyed Susan
Exceptionally showy and easy to grow, Rudbeckia hirta has a prolonged floral display that attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects. The late season seed heads attract finches and other birds.
Buy Black Eyed Susan seeds on Amazon
Eutrochium maculatum – Joe Pye Weed
A tall and stately plant with brilliant pink booms. Great native nectar plant, Butterflies love them.
Buy Joe Pye Seeds on Amazon
Monarda fistulosa – Wild Bergamot
Native to most of North America, Monarda fistulosa features lavender two-lipped flowers from July to September. A favorite for butterflies, birds, and bees.
Buy Wild Bergamot seeds on Amazon
Polystichum acrostichoides – Christmas Fern
Very easy to establish and grow where conditions are right. It requires cool, moist, well- drained soil in shade. In the right spot, it can be a good, evergreen border or accent plant.
Buy Christmas Ferns on Amazon
Itea virginica – Virginia Sweetspire
Prized by gardeners for its beauty and its versatility. It grows well in sun or shade, in boggy soil as well as average garden soil. Fragrant, white flower spikes, 3-6″ long, cover the shrub with flowers in early summer.
Buy Virginia Sweetspire Shrubs on Amazon
Ilex glabra – Inkberry
This compact holly tolerates heat, drought, sun, shade and transplanting and grows exceptionally well in urban areas. It is pest and disease resistant. Flowers give way to jet black inkberries which mature in early fall and persist through the winter to early spring unless consumed by local birds.
Aronia arbutifolia – Chokeberry
A deciduous shrub featuring white to light pink clusters of flowers in the spring that give way to abundant clusters of red berries in the fall that persist into the winter. The elliptic, dark green leaves turn to brilliant red leaves in the fall.
Buy Chokeberry Shrubs on Amazon
Vaccinium corymbosum – Blueberry
Who doesn’t love blueberries, blueberry pie, or blueberry muffins? Vaccinium corymbosum is a bushy upright deciduous shrub, with white or pink cylindrical flowers that give way to edible blue berries. Small oval dark green leaves turn shades of red in the fall.
Buy Blueberry Shrubs on Amazon
Cornus florida – Flowering Dogwood
An excellent landscape choice for all four seasons, the White Dogwood is a favorite in many yards and gardens. White “flowers” show their beauty in spring, foliage turns a vibrant red-purple in fall and glossy red fruits attract winter songbirds for the enjoyment of all.
Quercus alba – White Oak
This beautiful tree can be found presiding over pastures, providing shade in urban parks and suburban neighborhoods and thriving in natural stands throughout the eastern United States.
About RightPlantz.com
Growing Better Gardeners is not just our tagline, it is our mission. RightPlantz is the leading digital marketplace connecting homeowners and garden enthusiasts with local green industry professionals. RightPlantz is where gardening starts. Millions of homeowners around the country search for landscape, lawn care, arborists, irrigation installation and garden centers companies every year. RightPlantz is where green industry businesses grow.
