Bring Home the Natives

Bring Home the Natives. Pennsylvania Native Plants. , Easy for You, Good For Wildlife , Imagine a handsomely landscaped yard teeming with birds and butterflies flying from one beautiful flower to another. It must require hours of tedious toil and harmful chemical fertilizers, right? Not if you use native plants. Because they're low maintenance and beneficial to wildlife and the environment, native plants can make your gardening visions a reality., A native plant is one that grew here before European settlement. The stately eastern hemlock and showy rhododendron are two examples of the many beautiful native plants we have in Pennsylvania. Since Pennsylvania's native plants have existed in the state for a long time, they have formed complex relationships with our wildlife. When you plant natives, you also feed birds, shelter animals and provide pollen for insects. Providing native plants protects Pennsylvania's wildlife., Because Pennsylvania's native plants live here naturally, they thrive with less maintenance, reducing the need for watering and fertilizing. Planting natives can free you from the need for chemicals and the monotony of mowing. With native plants, you can help the environment and give your garden tools a break., Be Selective, Be sure to buy nursery-propagated native plants. Taking native plants from the wild depletes native populations that birds and wildlife are already using. Besides, plants collected in the wild usually do not survive transplanting. If your favorite nursery does not sell native plants, don't be afraid to ask. Your request could help to provide native plants to many gardeners., Bring Natives to Your Home, When choosing natives, be sure to use plants that best suit your site, like you see in the garden in front of you. Is your site shady or sunny? Moist or dry? Scan the QR code for guides with suggested plants for your yard, or go to iConservePA.org, For more information on native plants and other conservation tips and ideas, log on to iConservePA.org., (Captions):, Butterfly weed and ox eye sunflower, Cedar waxwing feeding on serviceberry, Eight-spotted forester on wild geranium