Why native plants?

We could go on and on about the qualities of native plants that make them beneficial to the gardeners, like their resiliency, drought tolerance or lack of need for any fertilizing, but instead we'd like to talk about what specifically made us interested in growing only non-hybridized plants that are indigenous to Wisconsin. 

Native plants are the foundation of healthy ecosystems, they co-evolved with local wildlife over thousands of years creating intricate and essential food webs. A critical example is the relationship between native plants and pollinators. Did you know that the majority of pollinators are specialists rather than generalists? Generalists can forage from a wide variety of plants (like honeybees), but around 70% of all pollinators are specialists meaning they rely on specific plants (their "host plant") to survive, like monarchs, whose caterpillars can only eat milkweed. When you spend some time looking around in southern Wisconsin, where it’s not at all uncommon to drive through entire city centers, from subdivision to subdivision and across miles and miles of farmland without seeing a single stand of native plants, it comes as no surprise that over 50% of pollinator species have declined since the 90’s. Total insect biomass has decreased by over 75% in some areas, which has dire implications for ecosystems as insects play vital roles and are a major food source for countless other species. The loss of insects is evident in the dwindling numbers of birds; millennials see 40% fewer birds (and 35% fewer butterflies) on a daily basis compared to their parents when they were young. 

With the loss of habitat, it is now up to individuals to ensure their backyards function as ecosystems. This should no longer be considered an option when designing our landscapes—it’s a necessity. Wisconsin has lost over 99% of its original native prairie, and public lands alone can no longer support the biodiversity needed to sustain healthy ecosystems. The majority of land in southern Wisconsin is privately owned, meaning that small-scale efforts by individuals collectively can have a huge impact. Every native plant you add to your yard helps restore a fraction of the habitat that has been lost.

If you're having a hard time deciding on which native plants to add to your garden, consider starting with keystone plants - a term given to the plants that support the highest number of insects and wildlife. There's a category on our store called 'keystone plants' you can check out that we try to keep stocked! Once you've got your bases covered with keystone species and your garden is performing a critical ecological service, we think the more the better in terms of plant variety. A diverse garden isn’t just better for wildlife—it’s more rewarding for you too! Greater biodiversity means more colors, textures, and bloom times to enjoy throughout the seasons. Ecologically, a wider variety of plants supports a broader range of pollinators and beneficial insects, making your garden more resilient to pests, disease, and changing conditions. So once you've laid the foundation with keystone species, keep adding more—every native plant plays a role in restoring the landscape!