The plants I always recommend, first and foremost, are the ones that evolved right where you are. From Los Angeles, California to Paris, France, there is a rich community of plants that sprouted, bloomed, fruited, and died back, only to repeat that cycle again and again in those specific regions. These plants understand the soil and the chemistry of their environment better than we ever could. The relationship native plants have with the soil is a co-existing one, and it’s a relationship that should be encouraged when addressing nearly any problem or desire a typical gardener might have.

Another standout benefit of working with native plants is that they typically require less work. There’s a saying: if you’re having trouble growing something, you probably didn’t choose the right plant or the right spot. For example, you wouldn’t want to place purple coneflower* in a shady area when it needs 6–8 hours of full sun, just as you wouldn’t put foamflower*, a shade-tolerant perennial, in the middle of a yard that isn’t shielded from the sun. Similar to light and nutrient needs, soil is a huge factor when deciding what to plant and where. With native plants, placing them in an environment they understand and evolved from plays a major role in their long-term success.

There are also plenty of benefits to native plants beyond easy maintenance. One of the most important is that every time you plant a native, you’re supporting your local ecology, especially if that plant provides food for another living being. Just as these plants adapted to their surroundings, so too did the birds, insects, and small critters that live beneath our feet or high in a tree. Long before we arrived on this planet, native insects were munching on plants that likely evolved right in your own backyard. Birds were picking berries and using twigs from shrubs to make habitats. And so on and so on.

In contrast, when people plant exotic or non-native species, they often need to rely on nutrient boosters or other inputs to keep them alive. With native plants (again, assuming the right plant is in the right place) that extra effort usually isn’t necessary. This saves time, energy, and for many people, money as well.

To sum it up: this beautiful world knows exactly what it’s doing. For centuries, it has adapted, reconfigured itself, adjusted, and grown long before our grandparents’ grandparents ever said hello. You can be part of that ongoing process by encouraging the systems already in place, by planting natives and supporting the local ecology, including your own, along the way.

NOW – you’re probably asking yourself: Is there a website where I can search by my zip code and get a list of native plants that support local wildlife?
Why, YES(!), yes there is. Check out: https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/. It’s a groovy website I love to use when figuring out which plants to recommend in Atlanta, Georgia.

*These plants come highly recommended by me and are native to the Southeast. They were top of mind when writing this piece.