How Native Plants Cut Maintenance Every Season

Photo by Richard R on Unsplash

Every spring brings a new wave of optimism and excitement. 

You get fresh bags of soil, you look forward to seeing all those beautiful flowers bloom, perhaps you’ll put in a tree or two… Heck, why not build that deck you’ve been dreaming about for years, too? This year, your backyard will finally look like that picture you have in your head. 

Then midsummer gets here, and reality keeps slapping you in the face. You’re constantly watering the plants, weeds refuse to die, plants wither no matter how much you baby them, and it’s all just one big never-ending disaster. 

You’re putting in all this work, so what’s the issue? 

The plants. 

Your issue is the plants you chose. You went for something beautiful and exotic, and you didn’t think about how well these plants would grow in your soil or climate. 

You didn’t even know it, but you signed up for a fight you can’t win, no matter how much you try. 

Why Native Plants Thrive Where Others Struggle

Native plants are survivors. 

They’ve spent centuries adapting to the exact conditions in your area, so now, nothing surprises them. They know how to handle the freezing winters, scorching summers, long dry spells, downpours, cloudy days, etc. Their roots are already doing great in the soil that’s in your garden, which means they don’t need additional fertilizers to stay alive. 

They also know all there is to know about local pests and diseases, and they’ve built natural defenses that exotic plants don’t have. You don’t need to pour any nasty chemicals in the ground to keep the pests away because plants already do it on their own.

If you’re thinking about adding native plants to your backyard, your supplier has to be reliable and, of course, in your area. 

What I’d do if I were you is look for a landscape supply near me and find a local supplier. Locals will know best which plants will do well in your environment, and they’ll likely have these in stock, as well.

How to Use Native Plants in Your Backyard

You don’t have to start over, and you don’t have to redesign everything. You need to make some strategic choices that work with what you already have. 

That all sounds pretty vague, so let’s get into some specifics. 

Foundation Plantings That Last

The plants around the base of your house are the first thing to focus on. 

Don’t plant shrubs because they need to be trimmed all the time. Go for native shrubs and groundcovers; they keep their shape with hardly any effort on your end. 

They’ll be like a frame for your home, and they’ll make hard edges softer. And since they’re already doing great in your climate and soil, they’ll stay healthy without the endless pruning and spraying that exotic plants usually need. 

Low-Effort Alternatives to Lawn

Traditional lawns need a lot of work to look neat. 

You need to mow it all the time, water it, fight weeds, and it all feels like you have a second job, but without the paycheck. If you want something just as beautiful but that needs less maintenance, get native grasses or meadow mixes. They grow at a steady pace and don’t need nearly as much cutting as a traditional lawn does. 

What they also can do is survive on rainfall alone (once they’re established, that is). 

Pollinator-Friendly Borders

A beautiful landscape needs flowers, and native ones are not just beautiful but also low-maintenance. 

They bloom year after year with very little care, but that’s not the best part. They attract pollinators that keep your garden healthy, which means that planting native flowers is good for the environment. 

No more constant replanting for you. With native flowers, you get colors and movement that take care of themselves. 

Natural Erosion Control

If you have slopes or places where water tends to wash away the soil, you’ll want to get native trees or deep-rooted perennials. Their roots dig in and hold the soil in place even during heavy rains. This will prevent runoff and, more importantly, it will make the ground stronger over time. 

When you plant natives in trouble spots, you solve the issue of erosion with zero walls and zero chemicals. 

Habitat for the Wildlife

People think that being low-maintenance is the only perk native plants have, but they couldn’t be more wrong. They bring wildlife back into your yard. Shrubs that produce berries and flowers that drop seeds are a food source for birds and other small animals. Over time, your backyard could become a small habitat where wildlife finds food and shelter. 

This is a beautiful, effortless way to enjoy nature up close while supporting the local ecosystem at the same time. 

Conclusion

The idea of perfection is unattainable for almost everything you think of, but native plants?

They’re pretty much perfect. 

There are literally no downsides to them because they have it all – they’re good for the environment, don’t require constant maintenance, support wildlife, and they’re beautiful. 

Why mess around with something exotic when what you need is right in your nearest garden center?

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