You’ve probably heard about native plants, but do you know what they are or why they matter? Native plants occur naturally in a particular region or ecosystem. They’re vitally important because they provide food for the beneficial insects and wildlife that evolved with them, such as pollinators, birds, and small mammals.
Many native plants also are larval hosts, which offer food for the larval stage of butterflies and moths, including monarch butterflies. In fact, many native insects can feed only on certain host plants.
Native plants are tough and hardy, too. Once established, they’re typically drought-resistant and low-maintenance so you won’t have to baby them. These perennials can be planted in spring, but fall is typically considered the best time of year for planting. That’s when temperatures have moderated, and rainfall tends to be more plentiful. Plants will have plenty of time to get established and put down a healthy root system to survive winter, as long as you plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes in your area.
It’s also important to be realistic. You don’t have to go all in on native plants in your garden. By adding a few of these native plants to the landscape, you’ll help support a healthy, local eco-system without ripping out your current plantings. Instead, weave these plants into your existing garden to create a diverse and layered tapestry of colors and textures.
You can find native species specific to your region by searching by state here, or consider the following suggestions to add to your garden this fall.
Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Native to central and eastern North America, this perennial has beautiful blue star-shaped flowers in the spring, with lovely, golden autumn color. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love this plant. It needs full sun but will tolerate some shade and is drought-tolerant once established.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Cardinal flower has gorgeous tubular red flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds adore. Native to the eastern U.S., they prefer wet soils, so they’re a good addition to rain gardens or low-lying areas of your garden. It needs full sun to part shade. Deer and bunnies tend to ignore this plant.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly weed, native to eastern and southern North America, has clusters of yellow to orange blooms that bees, butterflies, and other pollinators love. Butterfly weed grows even in poor soils. Like other milkweed varieties, butterfly weed is the only larval food source for monarch butterflies. Give this plant full sun for the best blooms.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Sunny yellow petals surround a brown center on this pretty, cheerful perennial. Native to most of North America, black-eyed Susan is a tough plant that loves full sun but will tolerate part shade. They’re mostly ignored by deer and rabbits due to their hairy leaves and stems, although bunnies like to nibble on the newly-emerged growth in the spring (so place a chicken wire cage around the plants to prevent the buds from being eaten).
Goldenrod (Solidago spp)
Depending on the species, goldenrod is native to North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, North Africa and Eurasia. All types boast bright yellow feathery blooms in late summer, when many other plants are fading for the year. Bees, moths, and other pollinators love the blooms. Give it full sun for best blooms.
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
These pretty purple flowers appear in late summer to late fall, and pollinators such as butterflies and bees absolutely adore them. Native to eastern North America, they can grow in a variety of soils, including clay types. They do best in full sun.
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum)
This lesser-known perennial, native to eastern, central, and southern parts of North America, reaches heights of five to seven feet, so it’s ideal as a back-of-border planting. The clusters of purple-ish flowers appear in late summer, offering food to bees and butterflies and serving as a larval host to several species of butterflies and moths. Cavity-nesting bees also love the stems to overwinter. Songbirds such as finches and wrens love the seeds. Give Joy Pye weed full sun for best blooms.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
