Whether a plant will perform well in your garden or landscape is always a major consideration. Have you tried over and over again to get that beautiful plant you ordered from a catalog to do well in your garden? And for some reason, no matter how much attention and deliberate care you give it, the plant always fails you? Perhaps this continuous dead plant pattern is trying to tell you something. Often times when you order from a catalog, and not from a local nursery, that beautiful plant from page 2 has not been proven to do well in our area.
Native plants are a good option for your landscape if you are looking for something that will perform well. Native plants are defined as “those that grow and reproduce naturally in a region”. There are also non-native adapted plants that are suitable as well. A non-native plant is not necessarily grown or reproduced in our specific region, but in regions similar to ours. Non-native adapted plants are time tested to be vigorous and hardy to our climate. A homeowner must still keep in mind the specific characteristics of their planting site. These can include soil type, shade or light patterns, wind, and drainage. It is important to consider these items when choosing the correct plant for your landscape.
Native (and non-native adapted) plants have several reasons why they are good choices. These plants have deep roots, helping the plant survive our unpredictable weather. They have proven to endure through drought, adapting to local temperature, moisture, and light conditions. Another major influence to choose native plants is their water requirements after establishment. Can you imagine not having to constantly water and fertilize your landscape? Not only are Natives & adapted plants water efficient, but many attract wildlife, including butterflies and birds. One thing to keep in mind is that some native plants can appear weedy or be somewhat invasive; our designers at Greenlife can help you choose native plants that will stay neat with a little care.
Now that you see what Native plants have to offer, you may be thinking that your garden is in need of some more natural vegetation. So go ahead, throw away the catalog and give us a call so we can start introducing you to the wonderful world of native and non-native adapted plants!
