<b>Trees, Ornamental & Bedding Plant:</b> Green Industry Insight

Native plants bring a host of positive traits to any landscape – low maintenance, adaptability and hardiness. Whenever the topic of native perennial plants comes up there almost always follows a discussion on where to obtain them. Do we go to a field and locate wild populations to dig? What, then, are we to do?

You might be surprised to find that a garden consisting solely of natives isn’t as limiting as you might imagine. Some areas of North America have a breathtaking diversity of plant life. It has been estimated that in the temperate world, the eastern United States is second only to China in botanical diversity. Native plants offer a vast array of colors, shapes and textures. With beautiful displays of flowers and foliage, native perennials, ornamental grasses and hardy ferns make great additions to any garden, but beauty and variety aren’t the only reasons why.

Low maintenance. Aside from regular watering during their first season, most native perennials require little maintenance. In general they’re resistant to disease and insects and do not require fertilization or protection in the winter.

Adaptability. Because soil types, light conditions and temperatures change so rapidly and vary so much throughout this region, many native perennials are able to survive in a wide range of conditions.

Hardy. They are naturally occurring in the local environment so they actually thrive even after the harshest Mid-Atlantic or New England winter.

Good for local ecosystem. By planting native plants, you are restoring part of the natural ecosystem.

A native plant is one that develops, occurs naturally, or has existed for many years in an area. These can be trees, flowers, grasses, perennials or other plants. Some of them may have adapted to a very limited range. They may have adjusted to living in unusual environments or under very harsh climates or exceptional soil conditions. Although some types of plants exist only within a very limited range, others can live in diverse areas or by adaptation to different surroundings.

North American gardeners, on the whole, are embracing their native plant heritage. A good part of the change is because native plants have become such obvious, sensible choices for today’s more ecologically focused garden. Appropriately sited native plants require no watering, no fertilizer and no pesticides. Many natives offer so much in addition to their showy blooms. Locally native plants are known as local ecotypes, and are well adapted to the soils, animals, and climate of the immediate area.

Choose the right natives and your landscape installation will shine!