Lincoln County Master Gardener™ Association

WHAT IS A NATIVE PLANT?

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A native plant is one that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without direct or indirect human intervention. Native plants include all kinds of plants from mosses and ferns to wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. 

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ARE NATIVES BETTER FOR YOUR GARDEN?

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Many native plants are attractive as ornamentals and adapt easily to garden conditions in the Pacific Northwest including our coastal environments.

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Native woodland wildflowers may never give your shady garden the range of color available from ornamentals, but if you like to garden with elegant and underused plants, you will find many wonderful options in the native category. If you want to create a garden that emulates nature, natives are essential. 

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NATURALIZED PLANTS

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Naturalized plants are plants that have become established as a part of the flora of an area other than their place of origin.  A naturalized plant is not a native plant and will not become one because it was introduced directly or indirectly by human means.  A naturalized plant grows well in its adopted locale and is able to reproduce on its own. 

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INVASIVE AND NOXIOUS PLANTS

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When naturalized plants out compete the native plants they are usually called invasive. When an invasive plant creates a serious negative impact on public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife or property, Oregon declares it a noxious plant (Oregon Administrative Law 603-052-1200). Most noxious weeds are non-native plants that are serious pests causing economic loss and harm the environment. Noxious weeds choke out crops, destroy range and pasture lands, clog waterways, affect human and animal health, and threaten native plant communities.

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BENEFITS OF GROWING NATIVE PLANTS

Growing native plants allows us to add the natural beauty of an Oregon landscape to our backyard gardens.  Natives also provide a number of benefit:

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Save Water

Take advantage of water conserving plants in your landscape. Once established, many Oregon ad PNW native plants need little irrigation beyond normal rainfall.

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Lower Maintenance

INative plants grow in their natural environment with no human attention or intervention.  So when we plant them in our garden environments, the natives take less time, effort and attention than commercial ornamentals.  They do not want fertilizer, pesticides, and only need to be pruned to fit into a particular garden space.

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Reduce Pesticides

Native plants have developed their own defenses against many pests and diseases. Since most pesticides kill indiscriminately, beneficial insects get caught up in the fight against pests. Reducing or eliminating pesticide use lets natural pest control take over and keeps garden toxins out of our waterways and watersheds.

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Invite Wildlife

Native plants, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects are “made for each other.” Research shows that native wildlife clearly prefers native plants. Natives attractive insect pollinators which will improve fruit set in our gardens.  They also feed a variety of birds and wildlife which will help deal with plant eating pests.

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Support Local Ecology

Planting gardens and other landscaped areas with Oregon and PNW native plants creates a wonderful bridge to surrounding wild areas. We can all help by getting familiar with Oregon native plants and recommending them to our family, friends, neighbors, and county planners.  Contact the Lincoln County Master Gardeners to learn more about native plants and check out some of the native plant resources provided on this site.

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