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           Why Grow Native Plants?

Promote Biodiversity

Human development through agriculture and urbanization has drastically reduced native plant communities.  By growing native plants in our gardens and leaving some areas natural, we are restoring some of the natural biodiversity of our area.  Many species are dependent on the habitat provided by native vegetation and taken in mass, home plantings can enhance the wildlife populations of an area.

Reduce the use of water

Native plants are adapted to the unique climatic conditions of their growing area and once established they require little or no supplemental irrigation.  When we grow plants found in our resident plant community, we use far less water than traditional garden landscapes.  Using drought tolerant natives in our gardens conserves a scarce natural resource and saves money on water costs; it’s a sensible choice.

Reduce the use of pesticides

Many native plants are not severely affected by insect pests and diseases that afflict traditional ornamentals.  Often, natives have adapted defense mechanisms to pests common in their habitats or have a high tolerance for pest damage.  As a result, less pesticide is required to attain native plant gardens in good condition.  Decreasing or eliminating pesticide use in the garden also promotes biodiversity, reduces our exposure to toxic substances and saves money.  Again, native plants are a sensible choice.

Enjoy a low maintenance garden

Spend more time enjoying your garden and less time maintaining it.  Natives tend to grow more slowly than traditional ornamentals and require less work at garden chores such as mowing, pruning, fertilizing and dividing.  Our native plants are adapted to a wide variety of growing conditions and fine native plant choices exist for virtually any garden environment.  The biodiversity promoted by a native plant garden will reward the owner with satisfying experiences of discovery and observation, not only of the plants themselves, but a host of other species...birds, insects, mammals, etc.  A good native plant garden complements the indigenous habitat and by growing plants found in our resident community, we bring in all sorts of nearby creatures dependent on that habitat.  In a small but significant way, we as native plant gardeners begin to help sustain an ecosystem and secure a connection with the natural world that is infinitely more satisfying than mowing the lawn.

This article was published by the California Native Plant Society

Two great organizations that support our native flora are the Oklahoma Native Plant Society    http://www.usao.edu/~onps/ and The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma  http://nature.org/oklahoma/:  

A great book for inspiration is  Noah’s Garden, Restoring the Ecology of Your Own Backyard by Sara Stein