Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals. Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds, insects and other animals.
Lawns and the ubiquitous bark-mulched landscapes are notorious for requiring profuse amounts of artificial fertilizers and synthetic chemical pesticides and herbicides. The traditional suburban lawn, on average, has 10x more chemical pesticides per acre than farmland. By choosing native plants for your landscaping, you are not only helping wildlife, but you are creating a healthier place for yourself, your family, and your community.
In addition to providing vital habitat for birds, many other species of wildlife benefit as well. A colorful array of butterflies and moths are all dependent on very specific native plant species. They provide nectar for pollinators including hummingbirds, native bees, butterflies, moths, and bats. They provide protective shelter for many mammals. The nuts, seeds, and fruits produced by these plants offer food for wildlife.
Landscaping with native plants can combat climate change. In addition to the reduced carbon pollution from lawn mower exhaust, many native plants, especially long-living trees like oaks and maples, are effective at storing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Native plants help reduce air pollution. Native plantscapes do not require mowing. Native plants also help to remove carbon from the air.
Because native plants are adapted to local environmental conditions, they require far less water, saving time, money, and the most valuable natural resource, water. Native plants require less water than lawns and help prevent erosion. The deep root systems of many native Midwestern plants increase the soil’s capacity to store water. Native plants can significantly reduce water runoff and flooding.
