Any Person, Plant, or Animal that’s found in its place of origin.

Ex: Pink Swamp Milkweed is naturally found in the eastern part of the United States.

Any plant or animal outside of its place origin that harms local ecosystems.

Ex: Brazilian pepper is non native to the United States. It is classified in Florida a category one invasive species. Brazilian pepper crowds out our native plants. Which in turn destroys the habitat that was once their. Causing our wild life to have less recourses.

Native plants support and attract wildlife. They are the building blocks of the food web. Without native plants many native animals wouldn’t exist.

Yes and no, it depends on the type of garden you desire. Native plants are adapted to the conditions in your area. As long as you plant the right plant in the right place. Their is no need for excess water or fertilizer. However herbaceous plants typically require more maintenance than woody plants.

The first step to saving the monarch butterfly is by planting native milkweed. The habitat they once had is now gone due to over development. However there are many other contributing factors to their decline. Like climate change, herbicides and pesticides.

Host plants are plants that provides food shelter, and resources for living organisms.

Ex: Pink Swamp milkweed is a host plant to the Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterfly. The butterflies lay their eggs on the plant for their offspring to complete their metamorphous process.