Native Gardening

Create a bird and butterfly sanctuary in your neighborhood.

Benefits of native gardens
Water Conservation: After roots are established native plants don't need watering.
Saves Money and time: Native Plants Don't need to be replanted each year
No mowing!- Saves energy. - Quieter neighborhoods.
Don't need fertilizer or pesticides
Attracts Birds and Butterflies

 

What is a native garden? A native garden uses the plants which originally were from the Chicago region.

Gardening with non-natives has a higher cost, more labor, more watering, and the loss of the opportunity to provide the plants needed by local butterflies which are now rare.

As we look for more sustainable ways of life, gardening with natives becomes a very important way to support the local ecosystem and to stop wasting water, energy, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The birds and butterflies attracted by an organic native garden are a great joy.

A little more information about natives:

  • Non-native plants are imports. Often they come from climates with heavier rainfall and so non-natives often require more watering.
  • Some of these plants are from similar climates and thrive here. This would seem like a good thing, but some of these plants are very aggressive, so they are called invasive species. Some examples of invasive species include buckthorn, purple loosestrife, and garlic mustard. Many delicate areas with endangered plants are threatened by these plants.

More links about native gardening:

Landscaping with Native Plants (EPA site)

Nature in Your Backyard By Patricia K. Armstrong. Chicago Wilderness Magazine."By restoring native habitats where we live, we can establish an everyday rapport with wild beauty. We’ll also have cleaner air and water and a healthier environment."