Spring is here, and many people have begun planning their gardens, germinating seeds, and preparing flower beds. Gardening is a popular hobby as a form of exercise, a source of community, and for its beauty. The power of gardening does not end here; in an age of urbanization and environmental concern, native plant gardens can provide critical wildlife habitat and ecosystem restoration in suburban and urban settings.

What is a Native Plant?

Native plants are those that have historically grown in a specific region for thousands of years. Plants are the platforms on which the rest of the food chain is formed, and without them, an ecosystem will collapse. Most insects and herbivores are unable to eat non-native plants, or plants that have been recently introduced to their region, because they have not had time to develop methods around the plant's anti-herbivory strategies. With increasing habitat loss and invasive non-native plants taking over wild spaces, native plant food sources are becoming difficult to find. In addition, traditional gardens in the United States typically are created using “pest-resistant” non-native plants, meaning they minimally contribute to the local ecosystem.

In order to support declining insect populations and increase habitat connectivity, 'plant native' is an idea that has recently grown in popularity among gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts." Regan Wilton

Native plants also make great gardens as they are well-adapted to their local environments and require minimal additional watering and maintenance to thrive. They are forgiving of novice care and can be easily cultivated to achieve the same level of beauty and aesthetic as traditional gardens.

More Than Home Gardens

The native plant movement is not limited to gardeners and hobbyists. Our clients, including transportation agencies and utility service companies across the country, use native plants in their right-of-way landscaping to create food sources for threatened pollinating insects and promote ecologically diverse meadow habitats.

Many of our environmental professionals prescribe native plant species in the design of wetland mitigation areas, riparian buffer zone areas, stream restoration projects, and stormwater best management practices. Using flowering native plants in green infrastructure, such as bioswales and raingardens, provides both pollinator habitat and a biological filter that removes pollutants in stormwater. In the upcoming months, our team has the exciting opportunity to support our utility clients by working to plan pollinator habitats and monitor the restoration of these essential environments.

Interested in finding the native plants for your geography? There are several resources available to assist with identifying and selecting plants. One tool is the Native Plant Finder, which allows users to search for native plants by zip code. It also provides guidance on native plants best suited to host pollinator species larva, such as butterflies and moths.