why native plants?

Native plants provide beauty, support the survival of pollinators, birds, and mammals, and are vital to healthy ecosystems. We think they have a place in every yard and garden. Here are a few reasons why:

First of all, what are native plants? In a nutshell, native plants are those growing in the same region in which they evolved. At Montana Plants, the plants we sell are native to the northern region of the Rocky Mountains, from the Canadian border through western Montana and down into south-central Idaho. The majority of plants at most other nurseries evolved in other parts of the world. While many of them do just fine here in Montana, they are not as well adapted to our particular environment and therefore tend to require more pampering in the forms of water and other amendments than native plants do. Native plants, on the other hand, are much less resource intensive and also promote healthy, biodiverse ecosystems, as outlined below.

Why are native plants important?

Healthy urban ecosystems. When we introduce native plants to our yards and gardens, we help minimize the resource-hungry needs of lawns and foreign ornamentals. Native plants have deep root systems, which help reduce soil erosion while also requiring less supplemental watering than many non-native species. Furthermore, their long co-evolution alongside the insects and pests of our region equips native plants with a stronger capacity for resisting pests and diseases than their non-native counterparts. This not only makes for healthier plants, but also minimizes the need to apply toxic chemicals.

Native plants have a long history of thriving here in western Montana. By selecting native plants with growing requirements that align with the environmental conditions of your yard, you provide a space where the plants can flourish while contributing to a healthy ecosystem.

Wildlife and biodiversity. Native plants are staples of local biodiversity. Studies show that native plants support more species of wildlife in greater numbers than introduced plants. For example, scientist Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware found that a single native oak tree can support up to 500 species of caterpillars, as compared to just 5 species on a non-native gingko. Given that caterpillars are an important food source for many birds (just a single brood of chickadees will consume over 6,000!) it’s easy to see how native plants support abundant wildlife.

In addition to birds, native plants are important for the survival of pollinators and small mammals. Many pollinators depend on specific native plants for nectar or as host plants for their eggs. The monarch butterfly, for example, lays its eggs exclusively on milkweed, a North American native plant. Small mammals benefit from the shelter, seeds, nuts, and berries that native plants provide.

Replacing even a small part of our yards or gardens with native plants can have a big impact on the local fauna present there, while helping create more resilient and biodiverse neighborhoods and communities.