Native plant gardening became the ecological alternative to ornamental landscaping, championing plants that evolved in specific regions over millions of years.
The Philosophy
Native plants: require less water (adapted to local rainfall), need no fertilizer (adapted to local soils), resist local pests/diseases, and support native insects, birds, and wildlife. Non-native ornamentals often create “food deserts” for pollinators.
The movement challenged lawns and exotic landscaping: replace water-intensive grass with native meadows; swap invasive burning bush for native viburnums; choose native coneflowers over hybrid roses.
Doug Tallamy Effect
Entomologist Doug Tallamy’s “Bringing Nature Home” (2007, re-surged 2013+) became the native plant bible. Key stat: native oak trees support 500+ caterpillar species; non-native ginkgo supports 5. Birds need caterpillars to feed babies.
This reframed gardening from aesthetics to ecology: your yard is habitat.
The Nativar Debate
“Nativars” (cultivated varieties of native plants) sparked debate: Do double-flowered purple coneflowers provide pollen? Do compact versions support biodiversity? Purists argued for “straight species”; pragmatists accepted some cultivation.
Regional Focus
Native plant selections vary by region: prairie plants for Midwest, desert plants for Southwest, woodland plants for Northeast. The Xerces Society and local native plant societies provided region-specific guides.