The Power of Native Plants

Incorporating native plants into your garden is one of the most impactful ways you can support pollinators, and help sustain a healthy environment for future generations. By including plants that native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators need, you contribute to the intricate web of life that connects all living things.

Why Native Plants Matter

Native plants have been part of the landscape for thousands of years and have co-evolved with pollinators. This deeply-rooted relationship makes them essential for the survival and health of these native pollinators. While some can forage on non-native plants, others rely exclusively on the plants they’ve evolved with. For example, monarch butterflies depend solely on milkweed plants to complete their life cycle. Without native milkweed, monarch populations struggle to persist.

By contrast, many non-native plants, bred for aesthetics, often lack the nutritional value pollinators need to survive and thrive.

Pollinators: Vital Players in Our Ecosystem

Pollinators do more than just keep flowers blooming—they’re essential for our ecosystem. They provide food for larger animals, and play a critical role in pollinating the plants that produce much of the food we eat.

Here in Vermont, examples of native pollinators include the acadian hairstreak butterfly, hummingbird clearwing moth, common eastern bumblebee, and silky striped sweat bee. Interestingly, the honeybee, often associated with pollination, is not native to Vermont—or even to the United States.

Unfortunately, pollinator populations are in decline due to climate change, pesticide use, invasive plants, shrinking habitat, light pollution, and parasites. But, you can make a difference by creating a pollinator-friendly garden!

Tips for Gardening with Native Plants

To support pollinators effectively, consider the following tips, recommended by UVM Extension’s Master Gardener Program:

• Plant a minimum of 10 native plants in clusters so pollinators don’t have to travel far to feed.
• Include a variety of bloom times—at least three per season (early, mid, and late)—to provide a continuous food source.
• Choose plants with diverse shapes and colors to attract a range of pollinators.
• Remember, native plants offer more than just food—they also provide essential nesting sites and protection for pollinators.

Bonus: Native plants are perfectly adapted to our environment, making them resilient and low-maintenance once established.

Join Our Native Perennial CSA!

Ready to make a difference in your garden and beyond? Our new Native Perennial CSA is the perfect way to get started. Over the course of three months (August to October), members will receive 15 native plants—our healthiest and most robust stock, started from seed this winter—and we will prioritize local ecotype plants whenever possible.

Here’s why our CSA is the best way to incorporate native plants into your garden:

• You’ll receive a curated selection of our top plants.
• CSA members get priority access to limited local ecotype plants.
• Each plant is specifically chosen to support pollinators and bolster our local ecosystem.

By planting native species, you’re creating a sanctuary for pollinators and ensuring a healthier future for all. Together, we can make a significant impact—one garden at a time. We hope you’ll join us!

Read more about the CSA and join here.

SOURCES

• Gardening for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: Resources for the Home Gardener (The University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener)
• Native and Non-Native Plants for Pollinator Support (Pollinator Partnership)