The Value of Native Plants

 

What do creeping oxeye, Caesarweed, and golden dewdrops all have in common?

 

 

If you said that they are all beautiful plants you would be…WRONG! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while these plants may be attractive, they are all invasive exotic plant species in Florida. Invasive exotics have the ability to alter native plant communities by crowding out native species and disrupting ecological functions.

 

 

Contrarily, native plants are very well adapted to the harsh conditions of the Sunshine State. Many species such as dune sunflower and saw palmetto are drought-tolerant, requiring less water during the drier months (turn that sprinkler off!). Species such as purple coneflower and tropical sage can tolerate full sun, requiring less shade in the garden.

 

 

Additionally, native plants attract native wildlife, including pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Pollinators are crucial for the reproduction of many plants, including fruits and vegetables, as well as lovely landscape varieties.

 

 

Our Native Plant Nursery at Earth Tech Environmental is growing and thriving and will be expanding soon! These plants are used to attract pollinators, as well as for use on ecosystem restoration and planting projects around the area. Call us today for your planting needs! Want to learn about your native plant species? Head on over to The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF IFAS) Native Plants page to catch up!