How to Find the Right Native Plants for Your Yard

There's a welcome groundswell of support for native plants among gardeners, landscapers, and nurseries. Benefits are many: lower maintenance when properly sited, increased wildlife, pollinator support (feeding birds, providing 1 in 3 food bites), improved soil fertility, water clarification, mitigated runoff.

Native plants adapt to local climate/soil, especially when sourced from local seeds. (Always ask seed origin — ideally from local native plant communities for best vigor and wildlife support.) Native plants connect us to place and help understand local environments — milkweed, for example, is a gateway to wildlife gardening (monarch butterflies).

Following are sources to start your hunt for the best native plants in your area. Good luck!

Related: Houzz Guides to Native U.S. Plants

Northwest | California | Southwest | Texas | Rocky Mountains | Central Plains | Great Lakes | Northeast | Mid-Atlantic | Southeast

1. Nurseries, University Extensions, Farmer's Markets

First place: nearby nursery. Shop local independents — keeps money in town, hopefully awareness of regional natives.

Public university extensions have native plant/wild community resources with wealth of knowledge. Near me: University of Nebraska-Lincoln with native plant greenhouse, seasonal sales, trial/display garden of local plants.

Check local farmer's markets for smaller start-up vendors with native plants.

2. The Xerces Society

Nonprofit conservation group saving invertebrates for all wildlife. Website has clickable map for regional native plant lists, conservation planting guides, bee ID info, more.

3. Pollinator Partnership

Sponsor of National Pollinator Week. Enter zip code for printable PDF guides to take to nurseries. The more we ask for natives, the more they'll carry them.

Pictured: Pasque flower, native to central/northern U.S. plains from WI south to NE and west through Rockies.

4. Biota of North America Program (BONAP)

For advanced gardeners knowing Latin names (handy when many plants share common names). BONAP searches plant distribution by state/county maps, density gradient, soil type, climate. Also search USDA database plant maps.

5. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Great resource — actively plants natives in botanical gardens, has plant sales. Visit if in Texas.

Pictured: Blue sage, a Missouri native.

6. Missouri Botanical Garden

Always liked their search page for growing conditions of new native purchases. Consult several sites for consensus — saves maintenance time and heartache. Also has display gardens and events.

7. Find Native Plants Website

One-stop shop with links to local nurseries, seed sources, books on native plants and environments. Generated by writers at Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens (of which I am a part).

Tell us: What sources have you found for good native plant info?

More on Houzz: Native plants by U.S. region