Why Native Plants Are the Backbone of a Resilient Garden
From supporting caterpillars to filtering stormwater, native species offer practical benefits for both the ecosystem and the homeowner's wallet.
What Actually Counts as "Native"?
Understanding what constitutes a native plant can be complex and isn't always straightforward. Typically, native plants are species that have naturally evolved in a particular region, adapting over thousands of years to the local environment, including soil types, climate, and insect populations. In North America, some experts set a clear historical boundary: plants present before European settlement are considered native. Others look at the evolutionary timeline, defining natives as those that have adapted to a specific ecosystem over a long period, rather than adhering strictly to a historical cut-off date. For most gardening purposes, the key is selecting plants that are well-suited to your specific area.
The Wildlife Connection Is Real
Native plants serve a crucial role beyond mere decoration; they form the backbone of the local food web. Many insects, especially those that are specialists, rely solely on native plants. For instance, numerous butterfly and moth species require specific native plants for their caterpillars to survive. Without these plants, the insects cannot complete their life cycles.
Research by entomologist Doug Tallamy underscores this point. Native oak trees, for example, support over 500 species of caterpillars. In contrast, non-native ginkgo trees host just five caterpillar species. Since raising one brood of chickadees requires thousands of caterpillars, this difference significantly impacts bird populations. Similarly, many bee species are specialists and can only gather pollen from certain plants. Native plants provide the necessary nectar and pollen for these bees, while non-natives often fail to support them.
Beyond insects, native plants contribute to the structural diversity of the landscape—offering groundcovers, shrubs, and canopy layers that provide essential nesting, foraging, and predator avoidance habitats for animals.
Environmental Perks: Water, Soil, and Air
Choosing native plants benefits the environment in practical ways. They have deep, fibrous root systems that stabilize soil, reduce erosion on slopes and along waterways, and enhance rainwater infiltration. Because they are adapted to local rainfall patterns, they generally require less irrigation than non-native ornamental plants. This makes them a wise choice for areas prone to drought.
Native plants also help keep waterways clean. Buffers of native vegetation along streams trap sediment and filter pollutants. Rain gardens and detention basins using native species can capture excess runoff and remove toxins. Since native plants are adapted to local pests and soil conditions, they typically do not need fertilizers or pesticides, reducing chemical runoff. On a broader scale, native plant communities help regulate water cycles, sequester carbon, and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events like flooding and severe drought.
Maintenance: Easier, But Not Zero-Effort
There is some debate about the maintenance requirements of native gardens. Some sources assert that native plantings generally need less pruning, mowing, and care overall. Others agree that native plants are easy to maintain and require fewer chemicals but note that young plants need watering to establish their roots during the first year. Once established, they usually thrive with natural rainfall.
If your soil is compacted or poor in nutrients, you might need to use landscape fabric to protect soil quality and suppress invasive weeds during the initial setup. While long-term maintenance is typically low, the initial installation can still require some attention.
How to Get Started
To start, conduct a site assessment to choose species that fit your specific space, soil type, and light conditions. You can find native plants at local nurseries, native plant sales, or through specialized vendors such as 3B Natives, Pleasant Prairie Nursery, or Prairie Moon. Planting options include potted plants, small plugs, root stock, or seeds.
Related on Landscaping Bible: How to Create a Native Pollinator Garden in Fall, How to Build a Moon Garden, How to Build a Vertical Garden on Your Balcony, How to Control Garden Aphids Naturally.
