Iris Flowers

These purply-bluish flowers are common in our hardiness zone. They are commonly known as Spiderwort or the more regal sounding name of Southern Blue Flag Iris. We moved these native plants from the back of our property forward to line the walkway to the front porch. This Iris is drought tolerant and full sun loving along with being water tolerant and shade loving. What an ideal plant at an ideal price!

Proven 

Native plants have proven themselves over the years to be hardy and weather tolerant in your area. These plants can take the high and low temperatures, rainy season, and droughts. They bounce back! Natives require minimal nutrients and special soils to establish. Then, they require minimal care and pampering. While most Natives are perennials, Native annuals reseed themselves to keep returning in future years. 

Pollinators

And, then, there are the pollinators. Pollinator insects and birds rely on Native plants as a food source. Pollinators plus Natives are how plants get pollinated and flower for the upcoming harvest. If you are planning a butterfly garden, Native plants should be the vast majority if not all of the plants. If butterflies are seen, there are dozens of smaller unseen pollinators! Yippie! Same holds true if you plant a Hummingbird garden. If you see Hummers, then you have a large variety of smaller pollinators. 

Affordable

Instead of making an impulse buy as you cruise through a Big Box store, think about native plants. Most large commercial garden centers have non-native plants. And, most of these are only annuals. Invest your money in a heartier native plant and /or shop at a local nursery. Local nurseries have plants that are more adapted to your locale and are usually grown nearby. Many are perennials so that it’s a one-time investment of cash and a one-time investment in planting. Other options include moving plants from one area of your property to another or swapping natives with your neighbors.

While a Big Box grab and go is convenient, it’s not less expensive. For example, the same pot size 5 gallon azalea were $24.99 at the Big Box in town and $14.00 at a local nursery. Bonus, the local nursery grew these plants nearby, and the plant was twice the size with significantly more blooms!

To add to the expense, the Big Box plants are mostly hothouse grown plants. They may or may not tolerate the weather in your area. Plus, the plant poke that says ‘full sun’ does not mean the full southern exposure sun. These plants have a harder time adapting to ‘outdoor’ life than Natives.

Sustainable Gardening

At DLG, we smile as we look out across our gardens, and we want you to smile when you look at what you’re growing! Helping the local pollinators will add to the success of your other plants especially fruit and vegetable plants. Plus, a glimpse of a Hummer or Swallowtail makes the moment so very special!

What Natives are growing in your garden?

How are you incorporating Native plants in your garden? What pollinators frequent your gardens? Drop us a comment and be sure to include your hardiness zone!