Incorporating native plants into your garden is a great way to celebrate Earth Day on April 22.
Benefits of Native Plants
Native plants are adapted to our soil and climate so they thrive in our local conditions. That means once they’re established, they require less water. Best of all, native plants support our native wildlife, providing a natural resource of food and shelter for many birds, bees and butterflies.
How to Use Native Plants
You can incorporate natives into your garden as you would any plant to add texture, interest, and color. Wetland natives can reduce the amount of water in that low spot in your yard or thrive by your birdbath. Gravel prairie natives are perfect additions to your rock garden or berm. Plant a butterfly garden, a rain garden, or a small prairie-like area to replace a bit of grass and reduce the area you have to mow.
“In order to be successful, natives just like any other plant need to be planted in the right place,” says Perennial Plant Manager Kyle Lambert. “We have a wide range of native perennials, trees, shrubs and grasses for areas similar to a savanna, open woodlands, prairie, or bog. Native plants grow in nature in a wide variety of habitats, sunny or shady, wet or dry.”
At The Growing Place
With over 140 species of native plants in our selections, there is a native to fit almost any garden. Many of which have been sourced within 100 miles. Plants native to the Chicago area are marked at The Growing Place with a green “Native” indicator on their plant signs.
Get first pick this weekend from our selection of 2″ native plugs in 30 different varieties for only $4.99 (while supplies last), and join us for Native Garden Weekend in Naperville on April 22, 2023 and Aurora on April 23, 2023. Featured guests include the Conservation Foundation, University of Illinois Master Gardeners DuPage County, DuPage Birding Club and Wild Ones Greater DuPage Chapter. Visit our website for details.
