The Benefits of Using Native Plants For Landscaping
What are the benefits of using native plants for landscaping? Landscaping is a great way to add beauty and value to your home. One of the best ways to landscape your yard is by using plants that are native to your area. Here are five benefits of using native plants for landscaping.
First, many native plants can be grown successfully in any climate. While there may not be plants available in every state or even in all states, there are some native plants that can grow well where other types of landscaping plants may not. Some of these landscaping plants for example can grow well where it gets cold like the northern states and some can even handle very warm temperatures. This gives you options when deciding what plants would work best in your area.
Second, another one of the benefits of using native plants for landscaping is that they can add a touch of natural beauty to any yard. Achieving this can be easier said than done. If you have a beautiful yard full of wild flowers and plants but no natural wildlife then landscaping them would most likely be ineffective. Planting trees and shrubs and even plants such as cacti can be an easy way to make your yard look very natural. But to accomplish this you will need to plant something that is actually native to your area.
Third, native plants are also generally quite easy to take care of. Some can even be grown in soil that is not treated with any chemicals. This means that you can simply water your landscaping plants and watch them thrive with no special attention being required. The fact that they require less water can mean that you do not have to purchase and maintain a large amount of supplies in order to maintain a healthy garden all year long.
Fourth, native plants also have a very “low maintenance” potential. In most cases they do not need annual maintenance or pruning. You will also need to keep in mind that some native plants can be more prone to insects and disease. If you happen to use any types of insecticides or pesticides on your native plants it can be detrimental to the health of your garden. This fact alone should be enough incentive to use native plants, but there are other benefits of using native plants for landscaping as well. One of these benefits is that they can actually help save you money.
If you have ever looked at a landscape at a local store or online and noted that the majority of the plants were either native plants that had been imported from other countries, you may have noticed that there is a significant cost savings that can be realized by landscaping with native plants. Landscaping plants can be imported from China, India, South America, or even Mexico. By purchasing these plants you are not only saving a few dollars by purchasing the plant, but by paying less for the plant itself.
Even if you do not purchase any new plants when you buy your native specimen plant, you can still benefit from this low cost purchase. Since most natives are quite cheap, you will end up getting more of the plant than you would have if you had bought one new from the store. This is because the native plant is so inexpensive to maintain, and can last for years. Also, since the majority of natives grow rather tall, this will allow you to place the plant in a high place such as a tree. If the tree is on your roof, it will provide more protection to the plant from the sun’s rays, helping to keep the plant looking great. Also, if you choose to plant the native plant in your ground, it will be protected from the harmful insects and animals that can destroy other plants.
As you can see, there are many benefits of using native plants for landscaping. If you have the money available, you may want to buy several native plant varieties and mix them together in your yard. If you are not wealthy, just look around your neighborhood to see what types of trees and shrubs are growing. Chances are you will find at least one native plant that you will love.