Native plants are those that grew here before European colonization of the Americas. As the graphic above shows, native plants have far deeper and stronger root systems which help them to not only survive in their natural habitat, but thrive.
You'll enjoy so many benefits when growing native!
CSU Extension has a chart of natives you can grow here: list of natives.
Image credit: Better Homes and Gardens
You'll enjoy so many benefits when growing native!
- tough and long-lived, healthy and strong (you rarely have to buy replacements)
- can withstand local growing conditions (drought, flood, frost, freezing)
- easily divided to create free plants for giving away and starting new gardens
- reduced maintenance - natives are more resistant to disease and rarely have pests bother with them
- need little fertilization or water once established (three to five years)
- crowd out weeds
- erosion control due to their their deep root systems
- feed and shelter birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects year-round
- versatile in the landscape - native plants are well suited to every area of an outdoor environment (shady, dry and hot, wet, refined and formal)
- provide beauty in a way that visually connects your personal landscape with the surrounding natural area
- sustainable - native plants create a strong, healthy ecosystem. They require substantially less water and less chemicals are used because they are naturally disease resistant and don't need much fertilization.
CSU Extension has a chart of natives you can grow here: list of natives.
Image credit: Better Homes and Gardens