As the city of Augusta moves to use native plants on city property when possible, other cities and people are doing the same for their gardens.

Native plants, such as the cardinal flower, highbush blueberry and red maple tree, adapt best to Maine’s climate and provide natural food for insects and animals.

After an increase in people choosing “showy, unique plants,” plant sellers are reporting more people turning to native plants.

“The showy, unique plants have their place in landscaping for sure, but it’s also nice to incorporate natives in the mix and we are seeing an increase in people reincorporating those plants into their gardens,” said Matt Bilodeau of Longfellow Greenhouses in Manchester.

Want to get more in your yard? Here’s what you need to know.

What are native plants?

Native plants are plants that would grow naturally in a particular area, said Bilodeau. 

“Native plans are best known for their support for wildlife and pollinators and their ability to withstand harsh winters, our hot, dry summers, and also wet seasons as well,” he said. “They are plants best suited for our environment.”

Andrew Tufts, program manager of Bringing Nature Home at Maine Audubon, said the organization has helped several cities, including South Portland and Bangor, as well as schools across the state incorporate native plants into their landscapes or as an educational opportunity for schools.

The Bringing Nature Home program at Audubon started around 10 years ago and was inspired by the book “Bringing Nature Home” by Douglas Tallamy.

The main focus of the book and the program is to restore Maine’s biodiversity by growing and disrupting native plants that provide a wide array of wildlife benefits.

“Most folks who live in Maine live here because of the natural beauty, and the image of the state is its natural beauty, and in that are the native plants. As we continue to be faced with development, we want to make sure we are doing it in a way that is thoughtful and with consensus, and landscaping with native plants is a way to do it,” Tufts said.

Why are native plants good for the environment?

Native plants provide food for native insects and animals that in return support a healthy ecosystem.

Tufts gave the example of the monarch butterfly. The monarch exclusively eats plants in the milkweed family, lays its eggs on the plant and later creates a cocoon that will hatch on the milkweed.

“If you want to attract and see these butterflies and all you have is turf grass and a variety of non-native oriental plants, you’ll never be able to support these insects,” Tufts said.

Tufts added that the main source of food for baby birds are insects, commonly caterpillars that feed almost exclusively on native plants. Without the native plants, that entire chain can be disrupted.

Native plants have coevolved with native insects for thousands of years, he said, so planting native plants can create a habitat for wildlife.

I don’t have a green thumb. Where do I start?

Bilodeau said native plants are very easy to take care of and most people already have them in their yard or surrounding yards. 

He suggested making sure the plants are well-watered in their first year until the roots are established in the soil.

“A plant climatized and suited for this area should take to the ground well,” he said.

Where can I purchase or learn more about native plants?

Most plant stores, such as Longfellow Greenhouses, sell native plants which should be marked if they are a native or pollinator-safe plant. If not, ask a salesperson, Bilodeau said. 

The Maine Audubon is in the process of building a native plant education center at its location in Falmouth as a way to educate the public more about native plants. People can also purchase plants on the Maine Audubon’s Native Plant website.