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Natural Resources
Native PlantsNative Plants Are Everywhere Every plant on earth is a native plant. It originated from somewhere. So how do you “weed” through all of the nursery materials, internet sites, and books that claim to be native? The most important thing to consider is who wrote the publication and in what part of the world. If it is written for example, by the Chicago Botanical Gardens then they may be talking about Midwestern or Illinois natives. On the other hand, if it is written by the California Native Plant Society, it is most likely not native to Illinois. A good publication will tell you right up front the region that they are referring to. Be aware that just because a plant is native in one part of the U.S., that certainly does not make it native to your location. Secondarily, most people agree that in order to be considered a native plant, it must have existed naturally in that location prior to European settlement. Landscaping with Native Plants "We humans have disrupted natural habitats in so many ways and in so many places that the future of our nation's biodiversity is dim unless we start to share the places in which we live--our cities, and to an even greater extent, our suburbs--with the plants and animals that evolved there." – Douglas Tallamy In order to maintain ecological diversity, it is essential to include native plants in our landscaped areas because native plant communities have been destroyed in our area. Plants form the base of the food chain for the unique set of insects and animals that are essential to the health of our environment. Using native plants in our landscape can help alleviate some of this loss. Native plants perform well in the landscape and in many cases have better success than introduced species. After all, natives have adapted to the variety of conditions that are unique to this area for thousands of years. Additionally, they are resistant to most pests and diseases, and once they are established they don’t require irrigation or watering. Native plants provide a large number of characteristics that can be used when designing a garden or landscaped area. Our native wildflowers and grasses range in size from groundcover to 10 feet tall. Native shrubs and trees provide a variety of heights, shapes and textures in the landscape. Many of these plants provide winter interest. Ultimately, a combination of natives and nonnative plants can be used in the landscape to provide the look you need. In recent years, several publications about using native plants in the landscape have become available. Use these wisely. In order for you to make the best decision possible, we have provided some Champaign County, Illinois native plant lists below: |
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