Butterflies, birds, and other pollinators rely on themand they’ll make your gardening life a lot easier.
Here are some science-backed reasons native plants are the low-maintenance garden winners we need.
What Are Native Plants?
Photo:Katrin Ray Shumakov/Getty Images
“Especially during the first two growing seasons, you oughta keep up with watering and weeding.
After that, you may be able to leave them alone,” says horticulturalist Andrea DeLong-Amaya.
During a severe drought, supplemental watering may be necessary.
But overall, gardening with native plants will require far less watering than a traditional lawn.
“Even in the wintertime, only 50% of birds' diet is seeds.
Birds rely on insects (especially caterpillars) and berries to round out their diet.
Native plants from your region will attract the insects your local birds feed on, helping them thrive.
They’ll also enjoy the berries and seeds that grow naturally on your native plants.
“It’s about how you arrange and maintain the plants,” DeLong-Amaya adds.
Egg-laying monarchs will naturally flock to your garden if they spot milkweed.
You Don’t Have to Use Pesticides
In fact, you shouldn’t.
One of the best parts of growing native plants is that you’re offering food and habitat to insects.
If they’re around, it means you’re doing something good for the planet.
And don’t worry about being stung or otherwise bothered.
They’re part of the habitat.
So it’s possible for you to let them do some of the weeding for you!
Plants will still grow through them in the fall.
What’s more, you’ve got the option to find native plants for all seasons.
Goldenrods and asters, two popular natives, bloom in the fall for late-season color.
Other natives will providewinter interestwith colorful stems and berries.
Luckily, as native gardening becomes more popular, plants are becoming easier to find.
(Just double-check that all the plants are native to your region when buying a premade set.)
