The ultimate guide to gardening with native plants: why location matters

Transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem that supports local wildlife while requiring less water, fertiliser, and maintenance than traditional landscaping.

Featured Image: Native prairie plants blooming by Ronald Douglas Frazier is licensed under CC BY 2.0

What Are Native Plants?

Native plants are species that evolved naturally in a specific region over thousands of years, long before human intervention. These plants developed alongside local wildlife, climate patterns, and soil conditions, creating perfectly balanced ecosystems.

The key distinction: A plant isn’t universally “native” – it’s native to a specific place.

A stunning wildflower that’s native to California might be considered an invasive species in Florida, even though both locations are in the same country.

Think of native plants as your garden’s locals – they know the neighborhood, speak the language, and thrive in conditions that might challenge outsiders.

Our Other Native Garden Resources

Why Location Matters So Much

Climate Adaptation

Native plants have spent millennia adapting to your area’s specific:

• Temperature ranges (winter lows, summer highs)
• Rainfall patterns (wet seasons, dry spells)
• Humidity levels
• Seasonal changes (length of growing season, frost dates)
• Storm patterns (wind, hail, drought cycles)

Soil Compatibility

Your local natives evolved in your region’s soil conditions:

• pH levels (acidic, neutral, or alkaline)
• Drainage characteristics (clay, sand, loam)
• Nutrient profiles
• Microbial communities

Wildlife Relationships

Native plants and local wildlife co-evolved together, creating intricate relationships:

• Pollinator partnerships – specific bees, butterflies, and birds that depend on certain plants
• Food webs – native plants support native insects, which feed native birds
• Nesting materials – many animals use specific native plants for shelter and reproduction

The Universal Benefits of Native Plant Gardening

Environmental Benefits

Water Conservation: Native plants typically require 50-80% less water than non-native landscaping once established. They’ve evolved to thrive on your area’s natural rainfall patterns.

Reduced Chemical Dependency

• No need for fertilizers (natives are adapted to local soil nutrients)
• Minimal pest problems (balanced ecosystem keeps pests in check)
• Reduced need for herbicides (native plants outcompete many weeds naturally)

Carbon Sequestration: Native plants, especially deep-rooted prairie species and native trees, store significantly more carbon than lawn grass or shallow-rooted ornamentals.

Soil Health Improvement: Native plant root systems improve soil structure, prevent erosion, and support beneficial microbial communities.

Wildlife Support

Biodiversity Boost: A single native oak tree can support over 500 species of butterflies and moths, while non-native ornamental trees might support fewer than 10.

Pollinator Haven: Native plants provide the specific nectar, pollen, and habitat that local pollinators need to survive and thrive.

Bird-Friendly Gardens: Native plants produce the seeds, berries, and insects that local bird species rely on for food and nesting materials.

Practical Benefits for Gardeners

Lower Maintenance: Once established, native plants require less:

• Watering
• Fertilising
• Pest control
• Disease management
• Replacement (they’re long-lived)

Cost Savings: Reduced need for irrigation, chemicals, and plant replacement means more money in your pocket.

Seasonal Interest: Native plants often provide four-season beauty with spring flowers, summer foliage, fall colors, and winter seed heads or evergreen structure.

Climate Resilience: As weather patterns become more unpredictable, native plants’ deep adaptation to local conditions makes them more likely to survive extreme weather events.

How to Research Plants Native to YOUR Area

Step 1: Define Your Location Precisely

Get Specific About Your Region

• Country and state/province/territory
• County or local region
• Elevation (mountains vs. valleys can have different natives)
• Proximity to water (coastal vs. inland natives differ)
• Soil type (if you know it – if you don’t use this simple test)

Understand Your Ecoregion: Ecoregions are areas with similar climate, soil, and native species. Your property might be in the “Southeastern Mixed Forests” or “Northern Great Plains” ecoregion, which is more specific than just your state.

Step 2: Assess Your Garden Conditions

Sun Exposure

• Full sun (6+ hours direct sunlight)
• Partial sun/shade (3-6 hours)
• Full shade (less than 3 hours)

Soil Conditions

• Drainage: Well-draining, average, or stays moist/wet
• pH: Acidic, neutral, or alkaline (test kits available at garden centers)
• Soil type: Clay, sand, loam, or rocky

Moisture Levels

• Dry/drought conditions
• Average moisture
• Consistently moist
• Wet/boggy areas

Step 3: Use Professional Resources

Government Resources

United States:

• USDA Plants Database (plants.usda.gov) – Comprehensive native plant profiles
• State university extension services – Local expertise and plant lists
• Natural Resources Conservation Service – Technical plant guides

United Kingdom:

• Royal Horticultural Society (rhs.org.uk) – Native plant finder
• Natural England – Habitat and species information
• Flora Locale – UK native seed and plant suppliers

Canada:

• Canadian Wildlife Federation – Native plant guides by province
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Regional plant databases
• Provincial botanical societies – Local expertise

Australia:

• Australian National Botanic Gardens – Comprehensive native plant database
• State botanical gardens – Regional native plant information
• Florabank – Native seed and revegetation guidelines

Step 4: Connect with Local Experts

Native Plant Societies – Most regions have native plant societies with:

• Local plant lists and recommendations
• Seed exchanges and plant sales
• Expert advice and workshops
• Field trips to see natives in their natural habitat

Botanical Gardens and Nature Centres – Local institutions often have:

• Native plant demonstrations gardens
• Educational programs
• Staff botanists and horticulturists
• Region-specific plant recommendations

Master Gardener Programs – Trained volunteers who understand local growing conditions and can provide personalized advice.

Interactive Plant Finder Tools and Databases

Comprehensive Multi-Regional Tools

iNaturalist (inaturalist.org)

• What it is: Crowdsourced species identification platform
• How to use: Search by location to see what natives others have photographed in your area
• Best for: Visual identification and confirming what grows naturally nearby
• Tip: Look at observations from natural areas near you, not suburban gardens

PlantNet (plantnet.org)

• What it is: AI-powered plant identification app
• How to use: Photograph unknown plants to identify them
• Best for: Identifying natives you see growing wild
• Available: Free mobile app and website

United States Tools

Native Plant Finder (nwf.org/nativePlantFinder)

• What it is: National Wildlife Federation’s zip code-based native plant database
• How to use: Enter your zip code for customized native plant lists
• Best for: Quick recommendations for wildlife-friendly natives
• Special feature: Shows how many butterfly and moth species each plant supports

Calscape (calscape.org)

• What it is: California-focused native plant database
• How to use: Enter your location for detailed native plant profiles
• Best for: California gardeners (incredibly detailed resource)
• Special feature: Nursery availability and detailed growing information

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Database (wildflower.org/plants)

• What it is: Comprehensive native plant database for North America
• How to use: Advanced search by region, conditions, and plant characteristics
• Best for: Detailed research and finding plants for specific conditions
• Special feature: Extensive photo galleries and cultivation notes

United Kingdom Tools

Natural England’s Magic Map (magic.defra.gov.uk)

• What it is: Interactive map showing habitats and species distributions
• How to use: Zoom to your area to see native habitat types and species
• Best for: Understanding your local ecosystem context

RHS Plant Finder (rhs.org.uk/plants)

• What it is: Comprehensive plant database including natives
• How to use: Filter by “native to UK” and growing conditions
• Best for: Detailed horticultural information about UK natives

Canada Tools

ePlant (eplant.uoguelph.ca)

• What it is: University of Guelph’s native plant database
• How to use: Search by province and growing conditions
• Best for: Detailed native plant profiles for eastern Canada

Beaty Biodiversity Museum Database (biodiversity.ubc.ca)

• What it is: University of British Columbia’s plant database
• How to use: Search by region and habitat type
• Best for: Western Canada native plant information

Australia Tools

FloraBase (florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au)

• What it is: Western Australia’s comprehensive flora database
• How to use: Search by region, habitat, or plant characteristics
• Best for: Detailed information about Western Australian natives

PlantNET (plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au)

• What it is: New South Wales flora database
• How to use: Search by location and plant type
• Best for: Eastern Australia native plant identification and information

Australian Environmental Resources Information Network (erin.gov.au)

• What it is: Government environmental data portal
• How to use: Access vegetation maps and species distribution data
• Best for: Understanding regional ecosystems and plant communities

Research Strategy: Putting It All Together

Start Broad, Then Narrow Down

1. Identify your ecoregion using government resources
2. Get a general native plant list for your area from databases
3. Refine based on your specific conditions (sun, soil, moisture)
4. Cross-reference multiple sources to verify information
5. Connect with local experts for personalized advice

Create Your Personal Native Plant Database

Make a spreadsheet with:

• Plant names (common and scientific)
• Growing conditions needed
• Mature size
• Bloom time/seasonal interest
• Wildlife value
• Where to purchase locally
• Personal notes from research

Verify Before You Buy

Red flags to watch for:

• Plants labeled as “native” without location specificity
• “Nativar” cultivars that may not provide the same wildlife benefits
• Plants that are native to your country but not your specific region
• Invasive species that might be native elsewhere

Getting Started: Your First Native Plant Garden

Begin Small

Start with a small area or container garden to learn what works in your specific conditions before expanding.

Choose Easy Natives

Every region has “gateway” native plants that are:

• Easy to grow
• Readily available at nurseries
• Forgiving of beginner mistakes
• Provide immediate visual impact

Think Like Nature

Observe natural areas near you to see:

• Which plants grow together naturally
• How they’re arranged (tall plants shading shorter ones)
• What the soil and light conditions are like
• How the landscape changes through the seasons

Plan for Succession

Plant a mix of:

• Early spring bloomers
• Summer flowers
• Fall color and seed producers
• Winter structure plants

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming “Native” Means Easy: While natives are generally lower maintenance once established, they still need proper planting, watering during establishment, and appropriate site selection.

Buying the Wrong “Native”: A plant that’s native to your country or even your state might not be right for your specific location. Always research the natural range of any plant you’re considering.

Expecting Instant Results: The saying “first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap” applies especially to native plants. Many focus on root development before dramatic top growth.

Neglecting Design Principles: Native doesn’t mean wild or messy. Apply good design principles like repetition, balance, and seasonal interest for a beautiful native garden.

The Bottom Line

Native plant gardening isn’t just about choosing plants that originated in your area – it’s about creating a garden that works with nature instead of against it.

By understanding why location matters and using the right research tools, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that supports local ecosystems while saving time, money, and environmental resources.

Start your research today, and take the first step toward a garden that’s perfectly suited to your unique location. Your local wildlife – and your water bill – will thank you.

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Ready to dive deeper into native plant gardening? Explore our region-specific native plant guides and seasonal planting calendars to create the perfect native garden for your location.