Although, I am one of the first people to notice beautiful flowers growing amidst a lushly landscaped lawn that has been perfectly manicured, I am taking note now as to how much of these “pretty” flowers tax our environment. Especially when they are non-native flowers. Native plants and landscape grow in your area naturally. They have evolved to adapt to the conditions of climate, soil, rainfall and other species of the area.

There are many benefits of growing native plants. They are more likely to thrive under the local conditions while being less likely to invade new areas. Native plants are well adapted to local environmental conditions, maintain or improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and often require less fertilizer and pesticides than many “alien” plants and landscape. These characteristics save time and money and reduce the amount of harmful run-off threatening the aquatic resources of our streams and oceans.

Native plants provide familiar sources of food and shelter for wildlife. As natural habitats are replaced by modern development, the use of native plants in landscaping can provide essential shelter for displaced wildlife. Poor babies need someplace to call home and since we are knocking down their homes, it is only fair that they get to live near ours. Watching the critters is a great way to reduce stress anyway.

Native landscape requires less care than trucking in a boatload of exotic plants from South America. Usually natives can grow without much extra watering and they thrive in normal climate conditions. You also don’t have to deal with exotic pests that come along with many exotic plants. Less stress on you makes the world a happier place.