What are the benefits of growing native plants in my yard? (ASK Advice) – Agritech Corp.

If you're thinking ahead to what plants to grow in your yard this year (or already starting seeds indoors), it's only natural to take into account your environment and what plants will thrive there. For example, in a northern area you probably wouldn't opt for plants that would struggle with long winters, and in a drought-prone area you might avoid varieties with high water requirements, at least without careful attention to your watering schedule. If you want to make sure you're choosing the best plants that will be the the easiest to grow and most successful in your local environment, one of the best things you can do is consider native plants!

Native plants are the ones that are naturally found in a particular area, rather than being introduced (accidentally or on purpose) from another part of the world. Having developed in the same region generation after generation, native plants have adaptations that allow them to thrive in that specific climate and beneficial relationships with other native species in the ecosystem. For example, monarch butterflies specifically need milkweed, a native plant, for laying their eggs and feeding their caterpillars. Native trees can support local bird populations by providing habitat for the insects they eat. And in dry areas, native grasses can offer a hardy, drought-resistant choice for a green yard.

Native plants can support many kinds goals people have for their yards: lower maintenance, matching their climate and soil type, lower requirements for adding chemicals and water, attracting birds and pollinators, supporting wildlife and the ecosystem, or just beautification. If you're interested, here are some popular plants to look into with native ranges across large regions of North America. Or, scroll to the end for region-specific links about native plants to consider growing where you live!

Native Flowers:

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)

Native Fruits and Vegetables:

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) in the East and Midwest or Texas Mulberry (Morus celtidifolia) in the Southwest (not to be confused with the invasive, non-native White Mulberry)
The "Three Sisters:" beans, corn, and squash (different heirloom varieties in different regions)