Lynda Bevere
4 REASONS TO PLANT NATIVES
Although non-native, non-invasive plants can have their purpose in landscape design, planting mostly native plants is better for the environment because natives attract more wildlife, require less maintenance and minimal, if any, use of pesticides and fungicides resulting in less water pollution.

1. Attract and Support Wildlife
Native plants are more likely to attract and support wildlife such as birds, bees, butterflies and small animals because they have evolved over thousands of years together and formed healthy symbiotic relationships.
2. Require Less Maintenance
Native plants require less maintenance in the form of water and fertilizers because, after living locally for many years, they are hardier and well-adapted to the environment.
3. Require Minimal or No Use of Pesticides or Fungicides
Native plants have more natural defenses to plant diseases and pests because of their many years of adaptation and living in harmony with these stressors so require minimal or no use of pesticides or fungicides.

4. Leads to Less Water Pollution
Because native plants require fewer fertilizers and pesticides, there is less contamination of local water sources.