Why is planting native plants important

If a grass found in Japan is great for soil stabilization, maybe we could plant it along the Hudson River? The answer to such questions lies in evolution. An excellent illustration of this evolutionary truth is found when comparing virginia creeper, a vine native to the United States, with an invasive vine such as kudzu. Kudzu, on the other hand, has not naturalized among our tree population, and its aggressive behavior has destroyed acres of forest in the southern United States.

Because native plants are adapted to their local climates, they do not need water or nutrients in excess of what the environment already provides. Many native plants are perennials, meaning their root systems persist year round.

Having a garden of perennials means not having to disturb the soil and replace plants on a seasonal basis, and that means less fossil fuel emissions into the atmosphere through transportation truck driving and climate control heated greenhouses of non-native plants. Native plants are very efficient in storm water absorption, which reduces run-off into the already over-flooded NYC sewer system.

Native plant gardens also provide opportunities to observe nature in action, be it pollinators visiting flowers, songbirds perching in bushes, or earthworms carving through fertile soil.

Watching these plant and animal relationships unfold before your eyes can instill a deep appreciation of the value and interconnectivity of our ecosystems. Ilex opaca, American Holly. Photo by Will Cook. Native plants, by definition, evolved to thrive in the local climate, weathering heat, cold, drought, and floods.

This means they need less water than their exotic brethren, saving time, money, and, most of all, water itself. Native plants also are naturally resistant to local diseases, reducing the need for artificial pesticides and herbicides. North Carolina is home to thousands of native species. Some, such as the dwarf crested iris and eastern blue star, offer beautiful showy flowers. Others, including black cherry and elderberry trees, give us colorful fruits and seeds, and some provide seasonal colors.

At the same time, these beautiful plants are also rugged, requiring little maintenance once established. As ecologists, wildlife biologists and entomologist have shown, native plant species are more favorable for supporting local wildlife, including insects such as bees and butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.

Native plants feed the creatures at the bottom of the food web that then provide meals for creatures on the next ring of the web, such as the birds and toads that visit our yards. In addition to providing resources for local wildlife, native species evolve for survival.

Consequently, they tend to be more naturally adapted to local growing conditions and often require fewer inputs for example, fertilizer or water for successful establishment. That can mean reduced maintenance — more time to enjoy your yard instead of working in your yard. ELA offers an archive of newsletter articles with a wealth of information on beautiful options for planting native ground covers, perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees. Articles offer information on many aspects of native plant, including which are edible, which are suited to particular conditions, which support pollinators.

Visit native plant nurseries and preserves to get ideas. Then use native plants in your garden, knowing that you are preserving biodiversity, enhancing the livability of your home, and ensuring a legacy for your children and grandchildren.

Let's Stay Connected. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. View our privacy policy.

Thank you for your submission! Home Why Use Native Plants? Why Use Native Plants? This article explains what native plants are, their benefits, and where to acquire them. It also includes tips on how to use native plants in the home garden.

Photo credit: Kim Frey. What Are Native Plants? Benefits of Using Native Plants There are compelling reasons why you should plant natives in your garden: Native plants preserve Pennsylvania's biodiversity. Biodiversity means the number and variety of living things in a specific region. Our native wildlife, especially birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other organisms, evolved with the plants here; many can only feed on plants they co-evolved with.

Unfortunately, unwise development has led to large expanses of lawn and exotic nonnative plants replacing natural areas. If your garden has no native plants, it becomes an ecological desert for the pollinating insects that are essential to our survival.