A lot of people have been talking lately about landscaping with native plants. For our local wildlife, that’s good news. Native plants support many more species of wildlife than exotic varieties do, because the animals and plants within an ecosystem have developed together over thousands of years. They rely on each other. For example, plants provide food and shelter, while animals pollinate flowers and scatter seeds.

Using native plants in your landscape can attract more beautiful wildlife to your yard. You can help alleviate habitat loss due to development by creating areas for wildlife to thrive. A diverse, natural landscape is healthy. It is far less likely to succumb to invasive insect infestations. And a piece of land in balance with nature and teeming with life is simply nourishing to the soul.