Benefits of Using Native Plants
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Collapse ▲There are many benefits to using native plants in your landscape — for you, for your community, and for wildlife.
Wildlife
Hickory nuts are valuable food for squirrels.
With habitat disappearing at an alarming rate, you can help provide wildlife with an oasis of the habitat they need to thrive. The native plants that you use can meet the needs, including food and cover, of native wildlife without causing long-term damage to local plant communities. With the right diversity of native plants in your urban landscape, you can provide:
- Protective cover for many animals.
- Seeds, nuts, and fruits for squirrels and other mammals.
- Seeds, fruits, and insects for birds.
- Nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Larval host plants for butterfly caterpillars.
Prevent Introduction of Invasive Plants
The use of only native plants in your landscape helps limit the chances that potentially invasive, non-native plant species will be introduced into the environment around your home. Many of the invasive, non-native plant species present in the South’s natural areas today were introduced as landscape plantings many decades ago. Continued introduction of new non-native plants into suburban landscapes will result in many new invasive plants in the future.
Beauty
Orange coneflower is attractive to people and wildlife.
Many native plants produce showy flowers, abundant fruits and seeds, and brilliant fall foliage. By planting native plants, you will have a beautiful yard that is friendly to wildlife.
Low Maintenance
Native plants generally grow well and require little care when grown on proper soils under the right environmental conditions. By choosing the right native plants, you may be able to use fewer pesticides and less water.
Community
As more people use native plants in their urban landscaping, it adds to the available habitat for wildlife and benefits the community as a whole. Going native helps save our natural heritage for future generations.
To find out how you can get started, go to How to Create Wildlife Friendly Landscapes.