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Using Native Plants in the Landscape We are fortunate in Ohio to have a great diversity of native plants to choose from, including many that thrive under adverse conditions. You can be sure to find native plants that suit a variety of sites including, wet, dry, sun, shade, high, and low fertility. Some benefits that native plants provide if used correctly include: Better adaptability to local environmental conditions Useful for solving problems like shady, wet, and clay soil areas Valuable to wildlife (supports native animals and insects and can be very important for their conservation) Carefully planned landscapes using native plants can be low-maintenance, once they are established. Provides four-season interest Preserves native species and biodiversity Adds a local accent to the landscape Most of our natural landscapes have been lost due to various human pressures. Ohio has lost 73% of its forest, 95% of its wetlands, and 99.8% of it original prairies. The environment and local biodiversity is very much threatened and many species will only survive if we choose to cultivate them. Horticulture, fortunately, can accommodate a great diversity of plant material and can be a key vehicle for preserving certain types of plants. By implementing principles of ecology, one can create a beautiful landscape that requires little or no chemicals and minimal maintenance. There is a need to develop landscapes and to select plants that are appropriate to the specific area of interest. Using a pallet of native plants can give a "sense of place". Although most residential landscapes, for instance, are small in themselves, collectively they can add up to be a very substantial oasis for wildlife. The key to using native plants successfully is carefully choosing plants that will match your site conditions. So before you start selecting plant materials, know your site, including the sun exposure, soil texture, pH, fertility, moisture conditions, and weed problems. You will want to pay special attention to fertility needs. For instance Fertilization may not be necessary with some meadow and prairies species and may actually inhibit their growth. Woodland plants, however, like rich, moist, and fertile environments. Amending soil with organic amendments may therefore be necessary.

NATIVE PLANT PHOTO GALLERY Click to Enlarge Photos Wild bergamot Stiff goldenrod Purple coneflower Blazing star Big Bluestem Yellow coneflower Big Bluestem and Bergamot