Native Plant Order Event Library

Why natives are important

Native plants are plants that have evolved with other species that occur naturally in an environment. In North America, plants are typically considered native if they were established before European settlement. They provide food/nectar for insects, butterflies, birds, and other mammals, as well as being the base of the food chain. Ornamental plants (non-natives bought and planted to look good) don’t feed anything and serve no ecological purpose. They are a food desert for native species looking for a meal. Native plants typically use less water, fertilization, pestic...