LEARN MORE ABOUT
Native Plants
When it comes to choosing plants for our yards, most people settle for what is pretty, familiar, cheap, and easily available. Here at Growing Greener Communities, we know that choosing certain plants over others can not only save you time and money, but also support the health of native wildlife populations and improve water quality. Read on to learn more!
Native insects like caterpillars are unable to eat most non-native plants, which threatens their ability to survive. Without native insects, other wildlife such as birds lose access to important sources of food as well.
Native, Non-Native, and Invasive
Native plants are plant species which have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat. In Pennsylvania, native plant species are those which occurred here before the arrival of European settlers. There are approximately 2100 varieties of native plants in PA.
Non-native plants are plant species that have been introduced to a given area through human activities. For example, the common weed dandelion is non-native and likely arrived from Europe on the Mayflower. Invasive plants, on the other hand, are non-native plants which cause harm to native plant communities. Invasives often grow quickly and aggressively, colonizing entire areas and making it hard for native plants to survive.
Why choose native plants?
Save Time And Money
Native plants are adapted to the climate, temperature, and conditions of Pennsylvania. They have evolved to survive here on their own, making them easier to care for in our yards once established.
They require less irrigation and fertilizer than non-natives, saving us time and money and preventing nutrient pollution in our local waterways.
Support Native Insects
Healthy ecosystems consist of a web of interconnected species. Here in Pennsylvania, our wildlife species have evolved with native plants and rely on them for their survival. Concerningly, scientists have noticed a dramatic decline of insect populations in recent years, which has major implications for many ecological cycles.
Insects form the basis of many food chains, pollinate ⅓ of our food sources, and recycle nature’s trash by breaking down decaying plants and animals into new soil. Providing habitat for insects is an act of conservation that has a far-reaching impact! For more information on the benefits of landscaping with native plants, please visit our conservation landscaping page!
Native Plants & Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)
Native plants are used in various types of GSI such as rain gardens, downspout planters, conservation landscapes, and riparian buffers. Native plants tend to have much deeper and more extensive root systems than non-native plants, creating deep channels in the ground where stormwater can easily infiltrate.
In addition, native plants help absorb and evaporate this water through a process called transpiration. Finally, their large root systems help keep soil in place, preventing erosion and sediment pollution in our waterways.
Where can I purchase native plants?
For a list of local and online native plant retailers, please check out our Native Plant Nursery Directory page!
Which native plants should I choose for my yard?
Check out this nifty webpage created by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources! Here, you’ll find guidance native plant landscaping as well as lists of plants suitable for all kinds of yard environments (sun/shade, wet/dry). For more information on how native plants support healthy and biodiverse ecosystems, visit https://homegrownnationalpark.org/. In addition, be sure to check out the online resources below.
