How to Landscape With Native Plants in Pennsylvania

Purchase native plants from a local garden center or nursery that specializes in trees, plants and flowers native to Pennsylvania. Among the possibilities are columbine, marsh hibiscus, goldenrod, dogwood and magnolia, as well as several rose, blueberry, maple, cedar, oak and fern cultivars.

Plan the layout of your landscape with the sunlight and soil requirements of your plants in mind. Position full sun native plants such as roses, hickory and milkweed, in locations that receive six or more hours of direct sunlight each day. Position partial sun plants such as sedge, choke berry or pepper bush, in locations that receive four to six hours of direct sun exposure per day. For best results, choose planting locations that also offer well-draining soil.

Clear your selected planting locations of organic debris such as sticks, rocks and hard clumps of soil. Remove any grass or weeds that are currently growing at your planting locations so that they won't be able to rob your native landscape plants of the moisture and nutrients that you provide. Remove the entire root systems of unwanted plants to prevent their return.

Amend the soil at your planting locations, if necessary, to aerate the soil and enrich it with nutrients. Spread a 3-inch layer of equal parts perlite, peat moss and compost over the soil. Work the organic amendments into the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches.

Dig planting holes for your Pennsylvania native plants that are twice as large as their nursery containers. Shovel some of the displaced, amended soil back into the bottoms of the planting holes so that your plants will sit at the same level they were growing in their nursery containers.

Position your plants in the centers of their prepared planting holes and fill in the holes with the displaced, amended soil. Secure your native plants in their new locations by patting down the surface of the soil with your hands.

Reduce the risk of transplant shock by immediately watering your native landscape plants after planting. Provide enough supplemental irrigation to soak the soil to a depth of at least 6 to 8 inches.