Native Plants Are Laid-Back Garden Heroes
If you’re dreaming of a beautiful yard that practically takes care of itself, native plants might just be your new best friend. With the changing seasons upon us and fall planting in full swing, now is the perfect time to start planning your very own native plant garden.
What Are Native Plants & Why They Matter
Natives are the original locals. They’ve adapted over hundreds (even thousands!) of years to your region’s soil, rainfall, sun exposure, and seasonal rhythms. That means they know how to thrive without a ton of extra help from you.
✔ Less watering
✔ Fewer chemicals
✔ Minimal fuss
✔ More butterflies, bees, and birds
They’re easygoing and environmentally friendly, and they give your yard that wow-factor.
A great example resource in Texas is the Native Plant Society of Texas. There are Native Plant Societies across North America, so search for the one closest to you.
Why Natives Are Perfect for Fall Planting
Spring gets a lot of the attention, but fall is a fantastic time to plant native species. Cooler temps and autumn rains help roots get established before winter sets in. Many natives also put on a gorgeous fall display (think colorful foliage, late-season blooms, and dramatic textures). And they provide a great habitat for native insects as they also overwinter.
So if your garden could use a little end-of-year glow-up, natives are a great way to add color and life right now and get a head start for spring.
Looking for Natives at the Garden Center
When you head to your local garden center, ask for natives. But also be on the lookout for plant groupings with themes like:
🌼 Pollinator-Friendly
☀️ Drought Tolerant
🌳 Shade-Loving
🌱 Low Maintenance Groundcovers
Garden centers often organize native plants by purpose, which makes it even easier to find the right fit for your yard. And, they may identify a plant as a native on printed bench card signage (see the example of a PlantTAGG printed bench card with the Native notation below – our garden center partners are LOVING our bench card printing system).
Pro Tip: Visit your garden center for natives throughout the year! The best centers stock natives across all seasons, whether you’re shopping for spring blooms or fall foliage, they’ve got something special.
How PlantTAGG Makes It Even Easier
Not sure which natives to choose? PlantTAGG can help!
PlantTAGG is a free mobile app that helps you pick the perfect plants for your space, native or not. You can search for recommendations based on sun exposure, soil type, your climate zone, and even for “Native” as a plant profile attribute.
You’ll get science-backed suggestions and trustworthy planting tips, all right on your phone, whether you’re walking through the garden center or planning from your couch.
Pro Tip: In PlantTAGG, just ‘Ask Emily’ for plant suggestions tailored to your goals and situation. She will automatically recommend plants suited for your precise geography and time of year, including ‘Native’ if you put that in your prompt.
Look for garden centers that offer PlantTAGG-powered bench cards, plant tags and signs with QR codes and you can scan them to learn more about natives and more instantly. Additionally, if you’re interested in more information on native plants, we covered this topic in an earlier blog post here.
Ready to Get Started with Native Plants?
Take a walk through your yard. Find a sunny patch. A shady nook. A bare corner that could use a pop of color. We can help! Use PlantTAGG’s ‘Suggest a Plant’ or ‘Ask Emily’ features to narrow the possibilities and then head to your local garden center and ask about native plants.
With PlantTAGG in your pocket and a few easygoing natives in your cart, you’ll be on your way to a low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly yard you’ll love for seasons to come.
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