As the weather warms, many people are turning their thoughts to spring gardening - whether by expanding existing plots or starting fresh with new garden spaces at home. While it may be tempting to choose the most colorful or fragrant flowers at your local garden center, these selections can sometimes come with hidden drawbacks. Many of the plants commonly sold are not native to the Mid-Atlantic region; they’ve often been introduced from other parts of the country or even from abroad, and many have been hybridized. These non-native plants generally don’t offer the same nutritional value for our local pollinators - such as bees, butterflies, and birds - as native species do. In some cases, non-native plants can even become invasive, crowding out native species by competing for essential resources like sunlight, nutrients, and space.
Planting native species offers numerous benefits. Not only do they help preserve local habitats and provide food sources for regional wildlife and insects, but they also bring beauty and variety to your garden. With options ranging from vibrant wildflowers to elegant ferns, ornamental grasses, and lush groundcovers, native plants can be both practical and stunning.
To help you choose the right plants, Audubon offers a Native Plant Finder, a helpful online tool that recommends species native to your area. It also highlights which birds and pollinators each plant supports, making it easier to create a thriving, wildlife-friendly garden. You can explore the Native Plant Finder on the Audubon website.
Audubon Mid-Atlantic has also partnered with local organizations to launch a Native Plant Seed Library at The Discovery Center in Philadelphia. This exciting initiative allows visitors to “check out” up to three packs of native seeds, with species selected specifically for the Philadelphia region. Options include native favorites like narrowleaf mountain mint, lobelia, and wild bergamot, suited to a variety of growing conditions.
To learn more about the seed library, check out the recent feature in GRID Magazine. And don’t miss your chance to visit The Discovery Center, pick up some seeds, and help grow a more sustainable and pollinator-friendly local ecosystem.
