My Favorite Native Plants on the East Coast

Native plants are flora that have adapted over thousands of years to a particular area. This often happens in relation to other vegetation, creating a unique plant community. There are numerous benefits to using native plants. They provide shelter and food for the local wildlife. These plants are more likely to thrive in their native habitat and generally require less water and maintenance to do so. In fact, a study found that over a 20 year period, the cost of maintaining grasses per acre was $3,000 for native grasses versus $20,000 for non-native grasses.

If you’re unsure of where to start with natural landscaping or just aren’t sure what is native in your area, most states have their own webpages with native plant guides. The rise of exotic plants as status symbols especially brings this to light. Exotic plants, while not always bad, can be invasive, which can in turn affect the area’s wildlife. Not to mention, native plants are part of the area’s identity.

While exotic plants attract a lot of attention, we may be overlooking the unique beauty of our own area. Below are my favorite native plants on the east coast for some much deserved appreciation.

Flowering Dogwood (cornus florida)

Common Boneset (eupatorium perfoliatum)

Viburnum Nudum (possum haw)

Wild Ginger (asarum)

Common Milkweed (asclepias syriaca)

Native plants are integral to communities ecosystems, supporting the wildlife and providing a visual identity of the area. They consume less resources, time, and pesticides, while providing a plethora of natural beauty.