Five Great Reasons to Garden with Natives

Gardening enthusiasts everywhere are gearing up for spring with renewed passion and anticipation. There are garden beds to expand, turf grass to shrink, new natives to add, non-natives to remove, and an urgency to finish the work before the warm weather arrives.

It’s a lot of physical labor, but we know it’s worth it. Gardening not only creates beauty. It is a moving meditation that helps calm our minds and make us more present to the moment. As Margaret Atwood once said, “In the spring, at the end of the day, you SHOULD smell like dirt.” It’s very good for us on so many levels.

Not surprisingly, there are many more native plant gardeners today in Northern Virginia than there were ten years ago, evidenced by the increase in commercial demand for native plants. This is not just a trend. It is a permanent shift in behavior driven by a deeper understanding of the interdependence of native plants, insects, birds, humans, and many other creatures. We have become ever more aware of the impact of our choices on the biodiversity of the region. There is no going back.

If you’re still on the fence about natives, here are five great reasons why native plant gardening is good for what ails our planet - and our hearts.  

1. When you garden with native plants, you learn to name and recognize them in the wild as well. That knowledge is nice to acquire, of course, but it also helps foster a deep sense of appreciation for the natural world. Simply stated, when we know more, we care more about the environment and the collective human efforts to nurture it.

2. Native plant gardening is even more enjoyable when shared with others. Your newly acquired knowledge will undoubtedly lead to connections with other like-minded native plant lovers. New friends and acquaintances appear, sharing tips, experiences, and a collective love of gardening. An expanded network contributes to a sense of belonging as we act in concert with others instead of alone.

3. There is no denying that climate change is a daunting global issue. But native plant gardening nevertheless encourages and empowers us as individuals. Property owners of all stripes can do something significant to benefit the soil, the climate, and the entire ecosystem. Don’t fall into the trap of believing we are too small to make a difference. Together we can help heal the planet.  

4. Native plant gardeners love the beauty of the blooms as much as the insects. There is no need to sacrifice aesthetics. Native plants not only attract pollinators and nurture their life cycles, they also offer stunning displays of color and texture that never fail to please.

5. Many native plants bloom later in the season. When non-native cultivars are starting to fade in the mid-summer heat, many natives are just beginning to show up and show off, ensuring a lively view that both delights the viewer and sustains local wildlife well into the fall. The stalks, seedheads, and berries continue to beautify the garden through winter.

Gardening has always been fun, but gardening with natives is also meaningful. It serves a healing purpose and adds our name to the group effort. At the end of the day, native plant gardeners create beautiful spaces where humans and plants not only meet but conspire to collaborate. We are collectively honored to “smell like dirt” after creating such powerful things.

It all starts with planting your first native plant. To learn the how-to’s, visit the Plant NOVA Natives website.