Spring is in the air which means it is time to think about Native Plant Sales! I have put together a list of many of the upcoming Native Plant Sales in the Chicago suburbs. I will add more as information becomes available. Ordering has started in some cases, so check it out. Purchasing natives for your yard not only helps support the environment but also supports some great local organizations as well.
Reasons To Add Native Plants to Your Gardens
For over a decade, I have been transforming my gardens with native plants. During that period of time, I have enjoyed gardens increasingly revitalized with a larger array of wildlife. Additionally, as I learned about the plants I began to create my own little oasis that displayed flowers throughout most of the seasons, even late fall. Since I focused on choosing plants adapted to my own environment, they do not require as much maintenance thereby giving me more time to savor them.
Illinois once held about 21 million acres of prairie. Humans have greatly changed and shaped the ecosystems of Illinois. Today, we only have about .01% of those original acres of prairie remaining. Humans' alteration of our natural environment is not exclusive to prairies and has impacted ecosystems throughout the state. By planting native plants in your own yard, you have the ability to bolster much-needed habitat for native wildlife that once were more abundant in the state.
Native plants are essential for supporting a diversity of native species including bees, butterflies, other insects, birds, and more. In my own yard, I have seen such an increase in biodiversity. Monarchs love my milkweed and aster. Every year, we spot monarch caterpillars. Goldfinches come for my coneflowers. Hummingbirds love the hostas. Bees love goldenrods. Catbirds perch in the dogwood bush -- which also provides some shelter for fledglings learning to fly. Adding more natives enriches your wildlife experience while fostering vital habitat.
Native plants are adapted to our climate so they can survive winter, seasonal flooding, summer heat, and more local conditions. Their deep root systems mean that they don't need additional watering in summer. This is definitely an additional plus in my book. Additionally, natives do not need fertilizers and harsh chemicals thereby helping decrease these components from our ecosystems. There are so many fantastic reasons to incorporate native plants into your yard!
List of Native Plant Sales:
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