Why and How to Grow Native Gardens

Gardens can be a sanctuary for those who plant them. But why stop there? They can also be a sanctuary for local pollinators and fauna and a boon to the local ecosystem, if you include native plants. 

Native plants are species that evolved in or moved to a region without human intervention. They are naturally more adapted to the environment in the area and an established link in the food chain or source of refuge for animals and insects. They attract pollinators and promote biodiversity as well. 

Meanwhile, grass lawns, despite being so common, are unnatural and often are invasive species. Compared to natural areas, lawns have limited capacity to filter or absorb rainfall and snowmelt. So, all that water runs off into the sewers and straight into our creeks, overflowing our systems and introducing pollution to our drinking water. 

So including native plants in your green space has a multitude of benefits to the natural world, but how can you participate? 

Native Plant Guides 

• Some common native plants to the Philadelphia region are wild bergamot, aromatic aster, common milkweed, hoary mountain mint, Culver’s root, scarlet beebalm and purple coneflower. 
• The Philadelphia region has a number of organizations that share native plant guides, such as: Philadelphia Native Plants or the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 
• You can also search and identify wildflowers by location or image to determine if a flower you’re considering is a good fit for your basket, backyard or box.   
• Wherever you are located, you can easily find out more about native plants by researching local native plant guides or visiting your local nursery or garden center and asking the experts on site. 

Getting Started 

A little bit of green goes a long way. Transform a small portion of grass or pavement in your outdoor space into a water-friendly environment by investing in a few native plants. There are even budget-friendly resources in the Philadelphia area for those hoping to start or build their native plant gardens, such as the native seed libraries at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and the Discovery Center. Seed libraries allow to take home one or more packets of seeds, free of charge. 

Getting Inspired 

Visit local gardens like Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia or wildlife preserves, like Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, PA, to explore native species and gain information. And check back soon for information on the Academy’s own Native Plant Garden, coming this spring as part of the upcoming Academy exhibition Botany of Nations. 

For more garden tips, check out the Academy’s Garden Guides for every season: 

• Spring 
• Summer 
• Fall 
• Winter 

You can support the Academy’s research efforts to understand the natural world and inspire everyone to care for it by becoming a member or donating to our scientific collections.

Tú también puedes apoyar los proyectos de investigación de la Academia, y así ayudar a entender y proteger la riqueza natural convirtiéndote en miembro o haciendo una donación a nuestras colecciones científicas.