Gardening with native plants

Stunning landscapes abound all over the world, each one a testament to the captivating beauty of its native plant life. A flamboyant royal poinciana (Delonix regia) in bloom in its African natural habitat is a breathtaking sight that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Likewise, the majestic expanses of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) forests can be appreciated only in eastern North America, their place of origin.

Introducing native plants into your existing landscaping brings a host of benefits. Native plants thrive in their natural habitat and need little care once established. Like plants in a forest, they flourish in their specific local ecosystems and climatic conditions.

At the same time, native plants support ecosystems by attracting wildlife, including birds and native pollinators, providing them with nutritious sources of food.

In addition, native flowering plants, trees and shrubs protect the environment by absorbing and filtering runoff from heavy precipitation thereby preventing the harmful pollution of waterways.

Incorporating native plants into your landscape takes a little bit of planning. You will need to identify the environmental characteristics of your garden such as sun exposure, drainage and soil type to help you choose the plants best suited for these conditions.

Take the time to learn about your native flora by visiting local parks or public gardens landscaped with native plants. Nature preserves in your area are also a great source of inspiration. There you can observe how specific plants associate with others and how they perform in conditions like those on your property. This may help you decide which plants might grow well in your garden.

At first, you will spend as much time and energy planting and caring for native plants as you do non-natives, but as your native plants get established, you will appreciate lower water bills and less maintenance. You also will eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

You can update your landscaping in phases as money and time permit. Consider incorporating what the Audubon Society calls Vermont’s “superstars” because “these plants are more powerful than others when it comes to supporting pollinators and birds.”

For example, oak, black cherry, birch, red maple and serviceberry, all Vermont natives, are each host to hundreds of species of insects and caterpillars that provide nutritious food to birds.

The same applies to native shrubs like alder, dogwood, blueberry and shrub willow. In addition, superstar native perennials include joe pye weed, asters, goldenrod and sunflowers.

You can plant nursery-grown potted plants anytime during the growing season to ensure the plant’s roots get established before winter sets in.

Prepare your planting area as you would for any nursery plant by following the specific recommended guidelines. 

Use organic mulch to reduce weed pressure, but do not smother the plants and keep the mulch away from the plant’s crown. Choose a mulch that breaks down and improves soil structure such as compost, well-rotted manure, shredded leaves or pine needles. However, keep in mind that mulch may prevent ground-nesting bees from accessing the soil to make their nest.

Maintain your plantings with good watering habits until they are established, which takes about three years. By then, your native plants should not require as much water or mulch. Moreover, you won’t need to fertilize them as they are meant to grow unaided in their native soil.

Planting native species will transform your garden into a haven of birdsong. It will become a sanctuary for birds and a peaceful retreat all while protecting the environment.

For more information regarding native plants, visit the University of Vermont Extension master gardener garden resources web page (go.uvm.edu/garden-resources).

(Nadie VanZandt is a University of Vermont Extension master gardener from Panton.)