Why Plant Native?
Native plants have a plethora of benefits but before we get into that, let’s cover what a native plants is!
A native plant is any species that has coexisted with other local plants and animals over millennia. They have wonderfully dynamic relationships with each other, which forms an ecosystem. One of the most vital of these relationships is between wildflowers and pollinators. Wildflowers provide nectar and pollen, and the pollinators aid in plant reproduction.
What sets native plants apart from their exotic counterparts is their invaluable ability to sustain life with their leaves too. For example, butterflies have co-evolved with native plants to use the foliage as hosts for their caterpillars. Since these insects rarely if ever lay eggs on nonnative plants, native plants by design support the foundation of the food chain!
In addition to supporting local wildlife, native plants offers many other benefits for people. It’s so wonderful that what’s better for the environment is also better for your wallet, it’s a win-win!
Native plants have deeper roots and thus use less water
Native plants make their own food and have no need for fertilizers
Native plants improve both water and air quality, plus they sequester carbon
