How to Care for Your Native Plants
And How We Can Help

Native plants generally require less care than unnatural, cultivated varieties of species that evolved to survive in environments thousands of miles away. The most important thing is that you plant them in a place that is similar enough to the types of habitat in which they are found in the wild.

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This is a major reason why the plants in our online store are arranged in the categories such as they are. If you plant a Cardinal Flower, which are naturally found along streams and wetlands, on the side of a dry, rocky slope, it will struggle and possibly die. Not only that, but even if you manage to ​artificially provide enough water to it so that it survives, it will become an ecological island. It will be out of place and will not have the relationships, both above and below ground, that it would naturally. Growing natives is all about putting them where they will be happy, and then being happy yourself.

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The only somewhat complex thing about it is the idea of ecological succession. Simply put, plants and geological processes change over time, and thus, the types of plants that may be happy in a given spot may also change over time. A simple example of this is a sunny, open meadow in which a tree seed germinates. While the tree is young, the meadow near the tree is still sunny and can support plants that need full sun. However, as the tree grows, it creates more and more shade. Eventually, the plants that need full sun may begin to struggle. New species that can tolerate, and possibly even need, partial shade will arise. In nature, time will take care of all of this. No work needed. On your property, you get to decide. Do you want the tree to grow there in the first place? If you do, what shade-tolerant species would you like to plant beneath it?​

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It is a puzzle of breathtaking beauty that we have the privilege of being allowed to take part in if we so choose.

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If you would like a little help, we would be glad to! Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to request ​a consultation.