Natives

Native plants provide a beautiful, hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance landscape while benefiting the environment. Native plants, once established, save time and money by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water, and lawn maintenance equipment.

Native plants do not require fertilizers. Vast amounts of fertilizers are applied to lawns. Excessive phosphorus and nitrogen (the main component of fertilizers) run off into lakes and rivers which harm aquatic life and interferes with recreational uses.

Native plants require fewer pesticides than lawns. Nationally, over 70 million pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns each year. Pesticides run off lawns and contaminate rivers and lakes. People and pets in contact with chemically treated lawns can be exposed to pesticides.

Native plants require less water the lawns. The modern lawn requires significant water to thrive. The deep root systems of many native Midwestern plants increase the soil`s capacity to store water. Native plants can significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, flooding.

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