Why Native Plants?
Native plants are those that occur naturally in a region in which they evolved. Native plants provide many benefits to people and wildlife, while contributing to healthy soil and water. They are the ecological basis upon which life depends, including insects, birds and people.
Using locally grown native plants in your landscape makes your yard part of the larger ecosystem. Your plants provide genetic diversity to nearby wild plant populations, which are the foundation of healthy, resilient natural systems. Planting native plants is one of the best things you can do to care for the planet.
Unfortunately, most of the landscaping plants available in big box stores and nurseries are from other countries and these exotic plants do not have a role in our local food web, and many have become invasive pests, outcompeting native species and degrading habitat in remaining natural areas.
A Healthier Choice for Your Family
The traditional suburban lawn, on average, has 10x more chemical pesticides per acre than farmland. By choosing native plants for your landscaping, you are not only helping wildlife, but you are creating a healthier place for yourself, your family, and for the Seymour community.
A Healthier Choice for Wildlife
In addition to providing vital habitat for birds, many other species of wildlife benefits as well. The colorful array of butterflies and moths, including the iconic monarch, are all dependent on very specific native plant species. Native plants provide nectar for pollinators including hummingbirds, native bees, butterflies, moths, and bats. They provide protective shelter for many mammals. The native nuts, seeds, and fruits produced by these plants offer essential foods for all forms of wildlife. According to research studies, Chickadee parents need 70% native plants in their territory to successfully raise a brood of young. The over 30 million acres of lawns in the U.S., on the other hand, support almost no wildlife.
Maintenance of Native Plants
Once established, native plants generally require little maintenance and many native plants offer beautiful showy flowers, produce abundant colorful fruits and seeds, and brilliant seasonal changes in colors from the pale, thin greens of early spring, to the vibrant yellows and reds of autumn. Because native plants are adapted to our southern Indiana environmental conditions, they require far less water, saving time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource, water.
Lists of our Native Plants
- A Compiled List of Native Plants (PDF)
- Visit the Indiana Native Plant Association Native Plant Directory
- Visit the National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder
Where to buy Native Plants
Additional Resources