Native Plants

September 16, 2024 . Jill Livingston

I came across a TedTalk by Rebecca McMackin last week. She's a Horticulturist and Landscape Designer. In her TedTalk she explains how using native plants within your landscape can aid in biodiversity. Native plants play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by providing essential food and shelter for wildlife, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to various environmental benefits. The planet is changing so quickly and areas are getting warmer. Denver is projected to have the same climate as Phoenix in 30 years. Luckily we have solutions and gardening is one of them! Ideally, we should be using plants that are from the area we are gardening.

Here are just a few benefits of using native plants in our gardens:

• They are at the base of the food web that supports a diversity of animal species. Native plants and native wildlife have co-evolved together over thousands of years, like two pieces of a puzzle. Without native plants, many wildlife species would disappear.

• Native plants are well-suited to their local environments because they evolved there, which means they generally require less maintenance than non-native species once they are established in the garden.

• They're adapted to the soil, climate, and weather conditions of your region, reducing the need for water, fertilizer, and pest control. As native plants have evolved to thrive in local conditions, they typically don’t require as much watering once established. This can lead to significant water savings in your landscape, contributing to more sustainable gardening practices.

If you'd like to learn more about about the benefits of native plants and integrating them into your landscape, our founder, Jill Livingston, will be teaching her popular class again at DU - Design Your Own Sustainable Landscape. It's not too late to register - the first session starts Saturday, Sept. 28!