Natives Are the Next Big Thing!

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

What to plant - that is the “perennial” question from many of our customers!

With so many options available these days - and a never-ending list of new plants being introduced not only from the US but from other countries as well - it’s a challenge to know what will grow in your yard!

Trends for planting right now? Plant natives and pollinators to help attract beneficial insects to your yard, and help maintain better health for the bees!

Why Choose Natives?
- When Choosing Plants, Take Your Lead From Nature!
- Easy Peasy Native Options

Why Choose Natives?

It makes good sense to use plants that work not only in your yard but also well in your area of the country! Natives offer you a good supply of flowers (and pollen) from early in the season until late in the year and feed pollinators and provide host plants for beneficial insects. If you live in warmer areas then you can offer a source of pollen year-round.

Fewer Chemicals

You can’t control the way others handle chemical use but you can make a difference in your yard! Cut back on your chemical use especially when it is not needed, or use only as a preventative. There is a better approach using safer alternatives or home remedies that can help solve some simple problems with insects or diseases in your yard.

Improved Adaptability

There is a reason a plant grows best in a location in your yard that mimics where it does in nature. Your landscape can even have microclimates of its own. Hot, dry, south-facing sites create a very different growing situation than the north-facing slopes that have cooler soils. Shade brings a new situation to deal with and low areas can carry support plants that need more moisture.

Check out your yard and see what different areas your landscape offers, then use plants that are appropriate for them.

Make sure the plant will get the right amount of sun or shade, and the type of soil in that location will best support healthy establishment and growth.

Drought or climate change causing problems in your area? Natives adapt to these changes and are naturally better at enduring drought! What better choice can there be than to use the plants that have naturally migrated to or evolved with your region, allowing them to thrive in the conditions that your area offers?

Easy Landscape Style

Look at how gardens are being planted for new construction projects and in commercial displays because you know those are going to be the latest trends and offer the newest designs - plus be chock full of the easiest and lowest-maintenance plants around! (Hint: many will be natives!)

It’s no wonder they include Native plants in their displays because of their hardiness and adaptability! There is no reason you can’t borrow those ideas for your yard. Natives need less water and care once established and quickly grow into their new settings!

Designate No-Mow or Low-Mow Areas

Create areas for wildlife and insects to thrive in your yard by creating Meadows or Prairie gardens using native wildflowers and native grasses! Choosing lower growing plants and groundcovers as paths that wind through the plot means you’ll rarely need to mow. Native Buffalo Grass or turf grass alternatives work great as well!.

These naturalized areas provide habitat and winter shelter for a wide range of local wildlife and insects … but mostly are incredibly low-maintenance! You only need to mow them a couple of times a year or just once after everything has finished flowering or in the early spring.

This is a great option for that location in your yard where the water-hungry lawn struggles to grow!

Native Edible Gardening

From Paw Paw to Sand Cherry, Hazelnuts to Nut Trees, native fruiting shrubs and trees abound and adapt more readily to your area! Cranberry Viburnum, Elderberry, and Aronia are all considered superfruits. While others like Serviceberry and Walnuts not only feed us but also a wide range of local wildlife and songbirds!

These native edible landscaping plants are more adapted to local droughts, heat waves, cold and snow, and thrive despite local pests and diseases in the area!

Planting Carbon-Capturing Plants

Planting trees and large shrubs are the very best at capturing carbon from the air and soil and sequestering it into themselves, scrubbing them from the environment! Natives not only do well in your climate but also have many that seem to be incredible at handling urban pollution and city environments.

Cleaner air and soil, filtering water runoff, or stopping it entirely in a Rain Garden makes your landscape healthier and keeps you happier!

Save Money With Natives!

Not only do Native plants save you money by needing less water and fertilizers, but Natives grow fast, fill faster, and can be divided every few years! This saves you money by not needing to buy as many to fill your space!

Plus many Natives produce seeds or fruit that local songbirds recognize as food, saving you money on bird seed! Anything they don’t eat will grow and - boom! More free plants!

When Choosing Plants, Take Your Lead From Nature!

When you are out doing your daily routine or errands, pay attention to what is growing well in your local area and utilize those plants into your landscape. Watch and see what looks healthy and offers color at a time of the year when your yard needs it most.

Get familiar with native Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Vines, and Perennials that grow naturally in your area. The native range for plants changes by region and by the climate in a region. Nature Hills offers many natives, all you need to do is find out the natives where you live.

You can ask your local County Extension Office, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener groups, or other garden clubs for insight, or ask a neighbor or local plant lover who might be a good source for what plants perform well in your immediate area.

Right Plant For The Right Location

You can plant native trees in your town or city and they will thrive and live forever, right? Not necessarily.

Planting an Oak tree in a sidewalk area in a downtown concrete jungle is most likely not going to mimic where that Oak tree would grow natively.

It is so important to look at where healthy plants are growing because there is a reason it is doing well in that location. Just because a plant is native, doesn’t mean it will do well anywhere or in any location.

All plants need the appropriate amount of:

Sunlight
Soil Type and Soil Drainage
Moisture Access
Be Planted in the Right Hardiness Zone

Be aware of the plants around you, and how they are being used where you live. Watch for interesting design ideas that you too can borrow for your own landscape.

Easy Peasy Native Options

Incorporate native and “nativars” in your yard and then kick back and relax! The bees and pollinators will thank you.

Learn to watch and appreciate the plants in your environment and the wildlife they attract. Use less water, enjoy lower maintenance, longevity in the garden - and most of all…ultimately save you time and money!

Nature Hills has a wide variety of fantastic Native Plants for you and we even make it easy for you to find Natives that commonly grow in your State!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the best native plants for my specific yard, climate, and growing conditions?

Start by observing your yard's microclimates, noting which areas receive full sun, part shade, or deep shade, and whether low spots stay moist or slopes drain quickly. Native plants that evolved in your specific region will naturally adapt to your local rainfall patterns, soil types, and temperature swings, making them far more resilient than exotic alternatives. Visit naturehills.com and use your USDA Hardiness Zone to filter plant selections, then match each plant's sun and moisture requirements to the conditions in the specific spot where you plan to grow it.

How do I evaluate my site's sun, shade, heat, and wind exposure before planting natives?

Walk your yard at morning, midday, and late afternoon to track how sunlight moves across each area, noting spots that receive full sun (6 or more hours), part sun (3 to 6 hours), or full shade (fewer than 3 hours). Pay attention to microclimates as well, since south-facing slopes run hotter and drier while north-facing areas stay cooler and moister, and low-lying spots tend to hold more moisture and cold air. Wind exposure matters too, especially in open or elevated sites where desiccation can stress newly planted natives. Once you have a clear picture of each zone in your yard, match your native selections to those specific conditions for the best establishment and long-term performance.

Do I need to amend or improve my soil before planting native plants?

Native plants are generally well-adapted to the existing soil conditions in your region, so heavy amendment is often unnecessary and can actually discourage the deep root development that makes natives so resilient. That said, it is still important to ensure good drainage, as most natives will struggle in compacted or waterlogged soils. Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches and remove any debris or weeds, but resist the urge to enrich with heavy compost or fertilizers, which can promote excessive foliage at the expense of roots and blooms. Choose natives that match your existing soil type, whether sandy, clay, or loamy, and let the plants do what they do naturally.

How much water do native plants need while they are getting established?

Native plants still require consistent watering during their first one to two growing seasons while their root systems establish in your soil. A general rule is to water deeply once or twice per week during the first season, providing about one inch of water each time, then tapering off as the plant matures. Once established, most natives are remarkably drought-tolerant and can thrive on natural rainfall alone in most regions. Focus your watering efforts in that critical first year, and by year two you should be able to step back and let the plant do what it does naturally.

How much ongoing maintenance do native plants actually need once they are established?

Once established, native plants are remarkably self-sufficient because they have naturally adapted to your region's rainfall patterns, soil conditions, and climate swings, including drought. Most natives need little to no supplemental watering after their first one to two seasons in the ground, and they generally require far fewer fertilizers and pesticides than non-native ornamentals. To set them up for long-term success, water consistently during that initial establishment period and choose plants matched to your specific site conditions, whether that is a hot south-facing slope, a shaded bed, or a low-lying area that stays moist.

Should I fertilize native plants, or do they thrive without supplemental feeding?

Native plants are generally well-adapted to the natural nutrient levels in your region's soil and typically do not require regular fertilization once established. In fact, over-fertilizing natives can cause excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers, reduce drought tolerance, and even shorten the plant's lifespan. If your soil is extremely poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can help with initial establishment during the first season. After that first year, skip the fertilizer and focus instead on matching your native plants to the right soil type and sun exposure in your yard for the best long-term results.

How do I keep weeds under control in a new native plant garden?

Mulching is your best defense against weeds in a new native plant garden. Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of shredded hardwood or bark mulch around your plants after installation, keeping it pulled back slightly from the base of each plant to prevent rot. Hand-pull any weeds that emerge early in the season before they go to seed, as natives need time in their first year to establish strong root systems before they can outcompete weeds on their own. Once your natives are established, typically by year two or three, their dense growth and root systems will naturally suppress most weed pressure on their own.

How do I design a native plant garden that looks polished and intentional rather than overgrown?

Take your design cues from new construction landscapes and commercial plantings, which consistently showcase natives in intentional, structured arrangements that set the tone for upcoming trends. Group plants in odd-numbered clusters of three or five, match each plant to the specific microclimate in your yard whether that is a hot south-facing slope, a shaded bed, or a low-lying moist area, and let the natural growth habits of each plant define the composition rather than fighting them. Visit a local botanical garden or nursery display to see how natives are being styled right now, then bring those ideas home by selecting species suited to your hardiness zone and the actual soil and light conditions in each part of your landscape.

Can I replace my traditional lawn with native plants, and how do I get started?

Yes, replacing a traditional lawn with native plants is one of the most impactful landscaping choices you can make, and it is a growing trend seen in both residential and commercial designs. Native plants are naturally adapted to your region's climate, soil, and rainfall patterns, which means less watering, fewer chemicals, and better support for pollinators and beneficial insects throughout the season. Start by assessing your yard's microclimates, noting which areas receive full sun, part shade, or consistent moisture, then select natives suited to those specific conditions and your USDA hardiness zone. Visit naturehills.com to browse regionally appropriate native plants, and begin your lawn conversion in fall or early spring when cooler temperatures support strong root establishment.

Can native plants work in containers, small yards, or narrow planting beds?

Yes, native plants can absolutely thrive in containers, small yards, and tight planting spaces, and many compact cultivars have been specifically developed with these situations in mind. Natives like dwarf coneflowers, compact native grasses, and small-statured sedums work beautifully in raised beds and pots, while creeping phlox and native groundcovers are ideal for narrow strips and borders. Choose container-appropriate natives suited to your USDA hardiness zone, ensure good drainage, and water more frequently than you would in-ground plantings since containers dry out faster. Browse Nature Hills' selection of native plants and filter by mature size to find the right fit for your specific space.