How to Choose the Right Native Plants for Your Yard

By Blake Jackson

Herbaceous, non‑woody perennials supply color, texture, and wildlife interest in every season, and choosing species that evolved in Pennsylvania multiplies those benefits. Native perennials

• furnish food and shelter for insects, birds, and small mammals
• add to overall biodiversity
• anchor soil against erosion
• demand less irrigation
• save gardeners time and money once established.

Why focus on natives?

A plant is “native” if it existed in Pennsylvania before European settlement. Because these species developed under local weather and soils, they usually flourish with minimal input. Many even prefer the lean, low‑fertility soils that frustrate exotic ornamentals.

The ecological case is stronger still. Entomologist Doug Tallamy found that about 90 percent of native insects specialize on a few plant families. Exotic ornamentals even well‑behaved ones cannot fill that dietary niche.

Fewer caterpillars mean fewer songbirds, which feed their young almost exclusively on insects. As development fragments natural habitats, the collective choices homeowners make will decide which creatures can still call “Penn’s Woods” home.

Match plant to place

Success hinges on right plant, right spot. Before buying, note your yard’s:

• Soil texture: clay, loam, or sand
• Organic matter: rich or compacted
• Moisture: drought‑prone or wet
• Light: full sun to deep shade
• Space: will mature clumps have room?

Grouping species that coexist in nature woodland edge plants together, meadow plants together creates resilient, low‑care plantings.

Planting and care

Spring, early summer, and fall are ideal transplant windows. Start with a soil test; amend only what the report recommends. Many natives resent extra fertilizer, though woodland species appreciate compost.

Loosen soil eight to ten inches deep, set the crown level with the surrounding grade, and tease circling roots before backfilling. Water thoroughly, then monitor moisture until the plant is established.

Afterwards, most natives live on rainfall alone. A two‑inch layer of shredded leaves or bark conserves soil moisture; keep mulch an inch away from stems to prevent rot.

By integrating native perennials, gardeners craft beautiful beds that also safeguard Pennsylvania’s natural legacy.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-imagixian