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Go Native! The benefits of using native plantings are many – to ourselves and to the environment. Native plants evolved here…right here. They are therefore adapted to our soil, our weather, and our wildlife. Native plants are part of the balance of our ecosystem. Using natives in our gardens saves water, fuel, use of chemicals. Natives feed birds and insects, many of whom cannot survive without native plantings as their food source. Native trees and shrubs hold lots of carbon. They reduce air conditioning and heating bills, thus helping us not only conserve money, but also consume less fossil fuels. Because natives are already adapted to our weather, mature plantings require neither water nor fertilizer to thrive in most summers. Sources: Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Nature Conservancy
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