The benefits of native plants make them an easy choice for the backbone of a healthy, eco-friendly yard. The answer is simple and we don’t mind telling anyone who asks; planting with native plants is the best way to have low maintenance landscaping while bolstering an eco-friendly space for birds, bees, beneficial bugs, and others. Below are a few reasons to encourage your landscape architects to create a beautiful masterpiece on your property!
Native plants are adapted to the local climate and thrive in the weather of their distinctive region. This advantage extends to soil conditions where they naturally occur. Sandy, silty, loamy, or a combination of soils are no match for the adapted native roots. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, and birds. Unlike natives, ornamental and non-native horticultural plants do not provide mutually energetic rewards. These plants often require insect pest control to survive and don’t help local animal visitors.
Other benefits of native plants include heartier fertilization (by requiring less) and fewer pesticides to keep them healthy. Interestingly, native plants require less water than just plain grass lawns and help prevent erosion in areas of concern. Pair some deep-rooted species with a hardscaping project for a native plant nursery in your front yard!
Sustainable Landscaping Through Soil and Water Retention
Amazingly, the root systems of native Midwestern plants increase the soil’s capacity to store water. This means that
drought-resistant landscaping easy to implement. This can significantly reduce water
runoff and, consequently, flooding. The picture above shows how well-established plants can work wonders for soil structure.
Healthier Air from Healthy Plants
It should go without saying that all plants help reduce air pollution, but plants grown in their native region may filter more the air more effectively. Think about how much less work a plant will have to do if its temperature and soil nutrient needs are met. This spare energy can be used to grow big and strong, thus becoming a more effective carbon filter. In conjunction with filtering air more effectively, native plant landscapes also require less lawn mowing. This reduces the carbon footprint from burning fossil fuels, oil leaks, and time spent re-threading a weed wacker.
Creating More Natural Habitat for the Local Ecosystem
If you’re looking for an easy way to increase the habitat for animals in your yard, native plants are the easiest way! Promoting a biodiverse landscape is easy with the right companion planting and fertilizing plants. Biodiversity is critically important for the overall health of an area of land. If animals have a place to rest, eat, and take shelter, you’ve got your own zoological preserve! Last but not least, native plants are a gorgeous and savvy way to increase long term property value with proper maintenance like pruning, and soil amendments that add nutrients and biomass back into the ground. Our plant usage philosophy at Greenscape Geeks is the cornerstone of our business and it’s why we love creating safe spaces for animals and insects.
If you have any other questions regarding native plants or improving the health of your property, contact Greenscape Geeks today for an estimate. We would be thrilled to construct your custom landscaping vision for an urban oasis you can be proud of. Follow us on our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Anchor for more insights, interviews, and inspiration to come this year.
Greenscape Geeks is a central Indiana landscape architecture and landscape design, construction, and lawn maintenance company, serving Indianapolis (including Meridian Kessler, Herron Morton, Williams Creek, and Irvington), Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, and Zionsville.
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