Most landscaping needs can be fulfilled with native plants instead of non-native ornamental species. A native plant is one that occurs naturally in an area, or in other words, without human introduction. Native plants tend to be disease resistant and low maintenance, while providing a myriad of ecosystem services!

Planting native plants:

• greatly enhances wildlife habitat,
• drastically reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides,
• and preserves the vital native gene pool.

As Aldo Leopold astutely observed, "to keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering." All native plants provide services critical to ecosystem success. For your landscape to thrive, all members of the community, the flowers, trees, birds, and bees, must be represented.

Explore the links below for examples of stellar native plants used in the landscape, in place of common ornamentals.