Great Resources
Useful tools to help you improve the health of your landscape
Useful Native Plant Databases
You have heard how important native plants are to our environment, but how do you find out which plants are native to your area and support your local ecosystem? One important resource is your state or local native plant society or native plant group, such as The Native Plant Center in New York. Another way to to explore regional native plants is to do some research online. Here are a number of great resources to help you along the way:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/
Native plant database
USDA PLANTS Database
www.plants.usda.gov/java/
Plant database, including natives
Biota of North America Program
www.bonap.org
Native plants by state and county level
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder.aspx
General plant database
Plant Native
www.plantnative.org
Native plant and nursery lists by state
More Great Resources
Chicago Botanic Garden Report: Joe-Pye Weeds & Their Relatives
Many of our great botanical gardens in the United States produce and publish research of value to home gardeners and landscape professionals. The Chicago Botanic Garden’s “Plant Evaluation Notes” is one example. These reports can be very helpful in deciding which plants, particularly cultivars, to include in a landscape (with…
“The Birder’s Handbook”
Whether you are an avid gardener or you simply enjoy the outdoors, then you probably have an appreciation of wild birds. What better way to wake up in the morning than to the sweet song of a bird. Who doesn’t love the feisty antics of a hummingbird, the boldness of…
List of Bee-Friendly Native Perennials
It’s the 8th annual National Pollinator Week, so why not get busy planting some bee-friendly native perennials? Here’s a list to help you along. Don’t forget to plant for a succession of bloom from spring through fall, even through winter in warmer climates. from Kim Eierman at EcoBeneficial!