Document Actions

Bring Back the Natives

As you create habitat on your property, be sure to consider the type of plant you use. Native plants are adapted to your soil and climate, which means in our area they are likely to be drought tolerant, a good thing for our hot summers. The environmental reasons for gardening with native plants are positive and compelling. native grass fence border

Native plant gardens:

increase biodiversity;

provide habitat for a wide variety of creatures such as birds and butterflies;

provide a home for many native plants that are becoming increasingly rare in the wild;

conserve water;

and eliminate the need for chemical inputs such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

Native plant gardening has practical rewards, too: less work and lots of beauty! Once native plants are established, they almost maintain themselves. After all, that's what happens in nature, and native plant gardens are based on natural principles.

Native plants are also adapted to the environmental events of their home area, such as fire and flooding. If your home’s landscape is primarily native, you’ll be safer from fire and the landscape will have a better chance of withstanding flooding events.