10 Benefits of Gardening With Native Plants
When deciding what plants to put in your garden, it's important to know exactly where they come from. Species that are native to your location often grow the best and are great for the environment. To help you understand the positive impact of growing native plants, here are 10 benefits of having them in your garden.
What Are Native Plants and Why Plant Them in Your Garden?
The native plant species that have grown in a particular place for thousands or millions of years have adapted to the area's ecosystem. They are also connected to the wildlife around them and are typically very resilient in their environment.
1. Native Plants Are Easier To Maintain Than Non-Native Plants
A big advantage of growing these plants is that they require little maintenance compared to many other plants. Their ability to survive and thrive in whatever the local climate does makes them easy to maintain. This can be especially good for you if you are new to gardening, as they can help you learn the craft with much less stress.
2. Native Plants Provide Food and Shelter for Local Wildlife
Birds, insects and other wildlife use plants for food and shelter. When their environment gets disrupted by urban development and replaced with plants from other places, many species die or migrate because they are unable to survive. To help combat the decline in wildlife, the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service encourages private landowners to place plants on their property that are native to their area. As a gardener, you can also help protect the wildlife in your area by including these plants in your garden as well.
3. Native Plants Need Less Chemical Treatment
People often use fertilizers and pesticides to help their lawns and gardens grow. While treated properties may look great, the use of non-organic chemicals can be dangerous to your health and harmful to the environment. Plants and flowers that are native to your area don't require all of this. Since they are adapted to the local climate, they can thrive without chemical assistance.
4. Native Plants Can Improve Air Quality
In the battle to slow down climate change and reduce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, plants and trees are a big help. Long-living trees such as maples and oaks are great for pulling carbon dioxide from the air and storing it. By incorporating plants that are native to your area, you can encourage more growth of foliage and greatly improve the air quality around you.
5. Native Plants Can Enhance Your Home’s Landscape
One great thing about plants is that they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Wherever you live, some native species will have beautiful flowers while others produce delicious and colorful fruit. With so many varieties to choose from, you can find the perfect combination to enhance the look of your yard or garden. At BeCause Tees, we love these plants too and try to capture some of their beauty with our hand-drawn designs.
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6. Native Plants Tend To Use Less Water
When it comes to conserving water, plants that are native to an area often require less of it. This is great if you live in an area with watering restrictions or a hot region with extreme conditions. As lawns require a lot of water during hot weather, native plants are a much more environmentally-friendly alternative. Another advantage of these plants is that they can reduce a significant amount of water runoff and help reduce flooding.
7. Native Plants Provide Nectar for Pollinators
Plants and pollinators need each other to survive. Native pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds feed on the nectar that their local plants provide. Likewise, plants rely on pollinators to fertilize them so they can grow. Unfortunately, this partnership is becoming harder to maintain as more native species continue to be replaced or destroyed. Read more on how to create a bee-friendly garden.
8. Native Plants Help Prevent Soil Erosion
If you are struggling with soil erosion, a native plant can help you. Many of these plants have deep root systems that can stabilize your soil and keep it from shifting. Without the help of these plants, there would be widespread erosion everywhere, and no city would be able to withstand floodwaters that sometimes result from a storm. This is another great benefit of using these plants in your garden.
9. Native Plants Can Help You Save Money
By planting flowers and trees that are native to your region, you can also save money. Then the money you currently spend on fertilizers and pesticides can stay in your pocket instead of going into your yard. You will also notice a reduction in your water bill since these plants require less water to grow. That in itself is a great reason to switch to these types of plants.
10. Native Plants Make a Difference and Are Very Rewarding
Are you an environmentally conscious individual who wants to make a difference? If so, planting native species can help you do your part to improve your ecosystem and support your local wildlife. You will also enjoy the feeling of pride that comes from knowing that you are doing something good for the planet.
Where Can I Find Native Plants?
Now that you know the benefits of using these plants, you may be wondering where you can find them in your area. There are several nonprofits with tools online that can help you find native species, including Pollinator Partnership and National Wildlife Federation. Using these tools, you can develop a list of local plants and decide which ones work best for you.
If you’re looking for an easy way to help the environment, filling your garden with native plants may be the thing for you. Not only will they help your local ecosystem, but you can enjoy how much easier they are to care for than more delicate garden plants. If you want to do more to show your love for plants and nature, check out our hand-drawn designs. Plus, each time you make a purchase, we'll fund the planting of trees plus donate to ecological nonprofits.
Sources:
https://www.audubon.org/content/why-native-plants-matter
https://www.asla.org/nativeplantssavemoney.aspx
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/home/?cid=STELPRDB1166100
https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
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