Is it difficult to source native plants?

Due to the increased demand for sustainable landscaping, sourcing native plants is now easier than ever. Specialized nurseries, online retailers, and native plant societies offer plants that are specifically suited for a particular region. You can easily find plant materials that are well-adapted to your local conditions.

With consumer demand for native plants on the rise, local garden centers are now offering specialized native sections. Larger retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's are beginning to provide regional natives permitted with their traditional plants. My local garden center has expanded its native plant offerings from 5 to 50 species over two years. You can now find native plants at your local retailers in some parts, often within a 10-mile radius of your home.

Native nurseries provide access to specialized expertise and endemic plants. These nurseries also specialize in local ecotypes. For example, I once found 30 kinds of California natives that I couldn't get anywhere else, all at a specialty nursery that focused on the specific ecotype of endemic plants. When you shop at these nurseries, you get access to plants that have proven successful in your local microclimate.

E-commerce suppliers offer zip code-specific selections through their native plant finders. Databases such as the National Wildlife Federation's tool help identify species that grow at your location. I ordered a variety of hard-to-find prairie grasses, which were delivered to my door within a matter of days. You can access plants from across the country with ready-to-use growing information attached.

Native plant societies typically host seasonal sales with bargain prices on plants. The plants are native and locally propagated at lower prices than those offered by retail nurseries. This past spring, my state's native plant society held a plant sale featuring over 200 species of plants at prices 30% lower than those at retail nurseries. So, you save money and help the conservation and restoration process while you build your native garden.

Begin planting your native garden this season, with three to five species grown locally. Try checking local nurseries first, or use online tools to conduct your research. Additionally, consider joining a local plant society or organization and attending one of their events. All you are doing is creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes using plants grown locally and available near you.

Read the full article: 10 Essential Benefits of Native Plants