Want to Try Native Gardening?

Avid gardeners take great pride in their flowers. They plant them with loving care, water and fertilize them frequently, and work diligently to prevent pests and disease from harming them. For a large flower garden, this can be a near full-time job.

I think it's a Lavatera species. Not sure though. It was cultivated in a California native plants garden in San Diego, California, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)But planting a garden doesn't appeal to everyone. Many flower lovers would like to have beautiful plants adorning their property, but they don't have enough time to spend tending them. Even those who do have gardens often find themselves wishing they didn't require so much work. But in many cases, they're creating more work for themselves by planting the wrong kinds of flowers.

Many of the seeds and bulbs we buy from stores or online come from far away. They will usually grow in different places, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're well suited to your environment. Similarly, the plants that grow in nature in your neck of the woods might not be able to grow in another state or country.

When you look at it this way, it's not hard to see why native plant gardens have become so popular. These gardens incorporate plants that have grown naturally in the surrounding area for centuries - meaning they are much more sustainable. Here are some of the advantages of going native in your garden:

* Native plants generally require much less maintenance than non-native ones. Their sunlight and water requirements are in line with what nature provides in the area. And the soil has provided the nutrients they need for many years, so there is little need for fertilizer. All garden plants require some care to flourish, but native plants require much less than those introduced from faraway lands.

* Using chemical fertilizers and pesticides to maintain non-native plants that don't grow well in your area without artificial encouragement can cause cancer, birth defects and other health problems for those who are exposed to them. The reduced need for these chemicals when growing native plants is better for your health, as well as the health of others in your community.

Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous, perennial plants native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. There are at least 36 species of dahlia, (Photo credit: Wikipedia)* Planting a native garden is a great way to celebrate what's unique about your part of the country! Plants that grow where you live might not often be seen in surrounding states.

* You can sometimes get native plants for free. People who have wild plants growing on their property are often happy to let you have them if you're willing to dig them up. Keep in mind, however, that transplants usually need special care until they are well established.

* Native plants tend to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife more than non-native plants. If you love watching wildlife, a native garden is great for bringing it close to your home!

Native gardens are beautiful, and their maintenance takes up much less time than that of your average garden. Whether you're a life-long gardener or a novice, it's certainly worthwhile to give native gardening a try, especially if you're interested in a sustainable, natural, low-maintenance gardening experience.