Environmental Reasons for Gardening With Native Plants

Water Conservation

• Landscaping with non-native shrubs and grasses often requires frequent watering to keep lawns and gardens looking green and healthy. Approximately 60 percent of water usage in the western United States and up to 30 percent on the East Coast is attributed to lawn irrigation, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Because native plants are adapted to the conditions of the area, they typically require little or no irrigation. Many drought-resistant natives have deep roots that help hold soil in place and improve soil permeability, reducing storm water runoff and soil erosion. Converting grassy lawns to natural areas helps conserve water and saves money, as well.

Reduce Pollution

• Gardening with native plants helps reduce pollution and saves time and energy spent on maintenance. Lawn grasses and other non-native plants often require multiple applications of fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide or pesticide. These chemicals leach into streams and rivers, contributing to water pollution and excessive algae growth. In addition, the exhaust from gas-powered mowers and lawn trimmers contributes to air pollution. Native plants are typically low-maintenance, needing minimal trimming and mowing and typically thrive without chemicals additives, such as fertilizers or pesticides.

Noninvasive

• Gardening with native plants reduces the introduction of invasive plants into the habitat. Sometimes imported plants spread aggressively because the plants and animals that kept them in check in their native habitat are not present. Aggressive invasive plants can choke out other vegetation, alter habitats and decrease biodiversity of an area. Many of these plants, such as kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata), were originally introduced as landscape plants but quickly became invasive. Kudzu vine grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. Because native plants have evolved to co-exist within a community of plants and animals, they tend to blend harmoniously into the local ecosystem.

Benefit Wildlife

• Native plants provide food such as seeds, nuts and fruit for birds and mammals and can be important sources of shelter and nesting sites for many types of wildlife. For example, butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is one of the few caterpillar host plants for the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus.) Butterfly weed grows in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 10. In addition to butterflies, flowering native plants attract hummingbirds and song birds. The use of native trees, shrubs and grasses in the urban landscape helps promote biodiversity in areas where wildlife habitats have been reduced or destroyed.