May is here and we are in the heart of spring. With Mother’s Day around the corner and the warmth upon us, you may find yourself bringing new flower friends into your yard. But beyond their beauty, plants serve a greater role in their surrounding ecosystems. But not all plants are created equal. So which ones should you choose? (Spoiler alert: Native plants are the key).

A Natural Fit

Native plants are those that evolved alongside the local ecosystem. This means they’re perfectly adapted to the region’s climate, soil conditions, and rainfall patterns. In return, this allows for sustainable upkeep, with less watering, fertilizer, and pesticides required. Less yard work for you and a healthier ecosystem? That’s a win-win for everyone.

These plants are also suited for the local wildlife, providing food and shelter for the most crucial critters in our environment’s upkeep. Want to attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your garden? Native plants are their oasis.

Getting Started with Native Plants

Remember that native gardens have to start somewhere, so don’t overwhelm yourself. Begin by replacing a small portion of your lawn or garden with native plants. Even just 3 native plants in your yard can do wonders for the surrounding ecosystems.

Not sure where to start? Your local nursery or garden center can recommend several native plants that will thrive in your yard.

But, in the spirit of Mother’s Day, I had the chance to speak with my own mom, Dawn, a landscaper of over 25 years, for her native plant suggestions. Though only a few are listed here, there are dozens more to discover. So what are we waiting for? Let’s plant native!

Baptisia

Baptisia, also commonly known as False Indigo, comes in a variety of colors, including blue, yellow, white, and purple. Their spiky flowers bloom for several weeks in late spring to early summer, making them a valuable addition to any garden. Besides being drought-tolerant, baptisia is also resistant to deer and garden pests. They can grow in a wide range of conditions – from full sun to part shade.

Buttonbush

Buttonbush boasts fragrant, white, tubular flowers that form into round clusters from June to September. These clusters resemble pincushions, adding a unique and delightful element to your garden. Their flowers are also nectar-rich, attracting a variety of pollinators – from butterflies to bees to hummingbirds. Buttonbush thrives in moist to wet soils, and can even tolerate flooding, making it a perfect choice for rain gardens, ponds, or stream banks. But even after its flowers fade, buttonbush offers winter interest with its reddish-brown fruit that persists through the winter season. These add a pop of color to the snowy landscape and provide food for the nearby birds.

Chokeberry

Chokeberry, also known as aronia, is a genus of deciduous shrubs with three main species: black, red, and purple. What’s unique about chokeberry bushes is that they provide visual interest all year long. In spring, they boast delicate white flowers with red stamens. Summer brings their green foliage for a lush backdrop. Come fall, the leaves transform into fiery shades of orange, red, and purple. You’ll find black or red berries on their bare branches in winter.

Amsonia

Amsonia, commonly known as bluestar, is a genus of perennial flowering plants known for their blue star-shaped flowers. Their flowers bloom in clusters during late spring, lasting 2 to 4 weeks. You’ll notice their green leaves fade to yellow in fall, adding another layer of visual interest to your garden. These plants thrive in full sun to light shade.

Bald Cypress

Bald cypress trees are majestic and resilient deciduous conifers are known to thrive in wet environments because of their specialized root system that absorbs oxygen directly from the water. However, their adaptability also allows them to survive in drier well-drained soils. Unlike most conifers that remain evergreen throughout the year, bald cypress trees shed their feathery, green needles in the fall, exposing their bare branches. Another notable feature are their “knees” which protrude from the roots around their base. These “knees” help with the oxygen uptake in flooded conditions. Fish utilize these roots for spawning, while birds build their nests in the sturdy branches above. Bald cypress trees are known for their exceptional lifespan, lasting hundreds of years.

Burr Oak

Burr oak trees are magnificent and long-lived deciduous trees admired for their strength, beauty, and ecological importance. As a tree with a widespread native range across North America, burr oaks are known for their impressive size. They can grow to over 100 feet, with a massive trunk and strong roots. Their large acorns are a favorite food source for squirrels, deer, turkeys, and other animals. These trees hold cultural significance, too, as indigenous communities used their wood for tools, weapons, and shelter.

Addy Werling

Addy is a senior at Miami University in Oxford with a major in marketing. She recently joined the MetroParks team as an intern in the summer of 2022. With a love for writing and connecting with others, she has helped MetroParks in the creation of their very first blog, Footprints. Although she had only set foot in one MetroPark when she began, she is excited to explore new green spaces here in Butler County and showcase them on the blog. Beyond her work, Addy enjoys spending time outside, camping, running, hiking, and playing with her dog, Max. She appreciates you taking the time to read her content on the blog and hopes that through this platform, we all can find a renewed gratitude for the outdoors.

awerling@yourmetroparks.net