Plant Lists

3. Myths about using Native plants.

Black-eyed susans -- a popular and easy to find native plant. These bright yellow flowers will grow in a variety of conditions, from full sun to part shade, from dry to wet areas.

"Using native plants means turning my lawn into a weed patch." 

Actually, native plants are amazingly diverse and beautiful, and can be used in the residential landscape in innumerable ways. Using native plants, you could make a screen of flowering shrubs, an ornamental pond, a butterfly garden, a flowery prairie, a shade garden, a border of scented plants for your patio, a "winter garden" of colorful berries and interesting silhouettes….the possibilities are endless.

"Once I've landscaped my yard with native plants, I'll never have to lift a finger to maintain them."

Sorry. It's true that well-chosen natives require far less care than many non-native plants, but there's no such thing as a completely maintenance-free garden or a "meadow-in-a-can" wildflower prairie. Wildflower meadows and prairies, in particular, require several years of careful maintenance to establish. But once a wildflower prairie is established, it's much less labor-intensive than a traditional lawn.

"Native plants give me hayfever." 

Allergies are aggravated by wind-borne pollen. Many of the native plants commonly -- but falsely -- blamed for allergies, such as goldenrod, are insect-pollinated not wind-pollinated. In fact, non-native grasses are responsible for much of the pollen in the air. One native plant that is wind-pollinated and can cause allergies is the infamous ragweed (but no one is suggesting you run out and plant ragweed all over your yard).