January 30, 2025 Leverage the Power of Native Plants Many people recognize the benefits of native plants but aren’t sure if they’re right for their space. The power of leveraging native plants is that there’s a perfect plant species for every unique situation! Evolved to thrive in Minnesota ecosystems, native plants help achieve various project objectives with specific plant communities. Here are a few examples of different property types and situations where native plants have truly excelled. Landscaping Options Steep Hills: Mowing turf grass is a never-ending task during the growing season, and it becomes even more challenging on steep slopes! Consider reserving the flat areas of your property for lawn and planting native plants on the hillsides instead. Native plant roots are excellent at stabilizing steep slopes, preventing erosion, and eliminating the need to haul a mower up and down the hill. Worried about losing your favorite sledding spot? Native plants bend under snow or you can mow them in fall, leaving your hill ready for winter fun! Shady areas under trees: Exposed roots and sparse turf are quite common under bigger, established trees. The uneven terrain and overhanging branches make it problematic to mow. Problem solved. There are many native plant species that thrive under tree canopies and even offer protection for native pollinators! Local pollinator expert Heather Holm calls these native plantings “Soft Landings” because they harbor a soft cushion and habitat for many insect species that are associated with our native trees. This is really a big win-win. Turf Transformations: Who doesn’t love a carpet of green grass for some outdoor recreation? While turf grass can be functional in small doses, most don’t need landscapes to resemble golf course fairways. Turf grass is chemically dependent – using vast amounts of nutrients and pesticides. On top of this, most residential yards these days are propped up by irrigation systems. If you leverage the power of native plants, you can skip the constant watering and fertilizing. After their first year of establishment, there is no need to water native plants! Beautiful forbs like butterfly weed, purple coneflower, and large flowered beardtongue even do great in dry, rocky, nutrient poor soils. Also, there are even species that do well in soils with higher levels of salt, which are a problem for areas near roadsides. Small Spaces: Feeling overwhelmed by images of large-scale, multi-acre restorations and thinking that’s the only way to make a difference for our local ecosystem? Think again! Every patch of soil filled with native plants has a positive impact. Small projects can collectively create valuable habitats for pollinators and birds, providing crucial “waypoints” during migrations or when they’re searching for mates. Our summer retail nursery sales are the perfect opportunity to grab a few dozen plants and enhance small areas in your yard—whether it’s adding flowers around your mailbox or filling an unused garden bed! Wet lawns: Wetter areas in your landscape can, in fact, be a perfect opportunity to create a stunning and ecologically valuable space using native wetland plants. These areas, whether they’re at the bottom of a slope or simply soggy spots in your yard, can easily be transformed into thriving habitats for many species. Moreover, native wetland plants not only add beauty with their vibrant colors and unique textures, but their deep roots also help improve water drainage, reduce erosion, and support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Incorporating native plants creates a visually appealing, environmentally important feature that thrives where turf grass struggles. Surprisingly, 75% of the land in Minnesota is privately owned. This means there’s a huge opportunity for conservation and restoration on private properties. Do you have an area in your yard that you’re unsure is suitable for native plants? We’re here to answer all your native plant questions and help you find the right solutions. We can select a multitude of native plant species appropriate for your landscape! Plus, don’t forget that local government agencies offer cost-share funds to help cover project expenses. Now is the perfect time to apply for these programs and plan your own ecological restoration project for the year!
