DO NOT USE ative or indigenous plants are those occurring naturally in a specific region. This is in contrast to naturalized plants, which have been brought to an area from someplace else. Because many naturalized plants have been around for quite a while, they may be mistaken for indigenous species. There are many advantages to planting native plants. Because they occur naturally in an area, they are well suited for that particular environment and generally thrive with little pampering. They also grow well alongside other native plants, because each species has adapted to its own environmental space. Although naturalized plants may be beautiful and may thrive in your garden, there are some downsides to planting them. Since they are not native to a region, they may need specialized attention, requiring much labor if they are to survive. Importantly, they may also be invasive plants. Because they have no natural predators to keep them in check, invasive plants grow so well that they may crowd out other plants in your garden. This can be harmful to the environment, eliminating plants or habitats that local insects, birds, and wild animals depend on. Invasive plants are incredibly hard to remove. Today, most reputable and responsible stores encourage their customers to purchase non-invasive varieties. Choosing a plant for your garden is definitely a subjective decision. What is a gorgeous flower to one person is a weed to another. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of indigenous plants to choose from. When selecting native plants be sure to do some research before you buy. Although a plant may be native to your region, it might not be suitable for your particular garden. Some factors to consider are sun, shade, moisture level, and amount of space available. You may also have a particular color scheme in mind. Once you have evaluated these criteria, it’s time to decide which plants are for you. Below are some choices that are suited to the northeast. Plants suited for shade gardens:
Plants suited for gardens with partial sun or full sun:
Vines for specialized spaces like gazebos, trellises, and arbors:
For more information on indigenous plants, check out these link: Great Native Plants for the Northeast - FineGardening Native Plant Landscaping, Northeast: Perennials for Sun (thespruce.com) Best Flowering Vines for the Northern US | Gardener's Path (gardenerspath.com) How Indigenous Plants Are Used in Landscapes (thespruce.com) |
