Exotic plants have the allure of being different, but native, or indigenous, plants beat non-native plants in many areas. If you're not sure what's native to your area, local extension offices and plant nurseries are valuable resources. You can transform your landscape into a native plant sanctuary and reap the benefits they offer.
Native plants have the advantage of adapting over centuries, making them better suited for the environment. These plants thrive in the soil type and climate in your area. The natural growth means a smaller need for fertilizers and other interventions to help them grow. They are better suited to handle extreme temperatures, diseases and pests in the local environment. Using these plants in your yard means those adaptations will keep your garden looking lush for the growing season.
Because they are suited for the environment, native plants need less maintenance than non-native plants, once they are established. They often survive on the natural rainfall in the area, reducing the need for watering. Exotic plants are accustomed to a different growing environment. Factors like the soil, temperatures and humidity levels may affect how exotic plants grow in your garden. You'll spend extra time and money amending the soil and controlling the environment to get those exotic plants to grow. With a garden of native plants, you'll get to enjoy the beauty without as much work just trying to keep them alive.
The adaptations native plants make over the centuries benefit the environment. Because rainfall is usually adequate, you're reducing your water use. Resistance to local insects means you won't need to spray toxic chemicals for pest control. Native plants that grow well in the environment often have strong root systems that keep the soil from eroding and washing into local waterways. Native plants can even slow down fires because they stay green and lush longer, instead of shriveling and drying up. Your native plants provide for local wildlife as both a food source and shelter.
While some non-native plants take extra work to keep alive, others thrive too well, causing problems in the local ecosystem. Exotic plants introduced into a new environment can take over, becoming an invasive plant that damages the existing ecosystem. If a non-native plant doesn't have natural enemies in the new location, it can overtake the existing plants and become difficult to control. In some cases, wildlife may lose its habitat when the invasive, non-native plants kill out the existing plants. By sticking with native plants, you preserve the existing ecosystems and diversity of plant life in your area.
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