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Beginner15 min
Native Plant Gardening
Ecosystem-friendly landscaping with native species. Support pollinators, birds, and biodiversity.
“A non-native plant is a tourist that decides to stay. A native plant is a local who knows how to handle the weather.”
What you'll learn
Why native mattersRegional nativesPollinator gardensBird habitatInvasive species
Native plants support 10-50x more local wildlife species than non-natives. A native oak supports 500+ caterpillar species. A non-native ginkgo supports 5. Every native plant you add to your landscape is a tiny piece of ecosystem restored.
Design: aim for 70% native plantings by biomass. Include host plants for butterfly larvae (milkweed for monarchs, dill for swallowtails), nectar plants for adult pollinators (goldenrod, asters, bee balm), and berry-producing shrubs for birds (serviceberry, viburnum, winterberry).