Why Native Plants?
Native plants are species that naturally occur in a specific region (for us, the Michiana region) and have evolved alongside the local wildlife. In Indiana, native plants such as Pale Purple Coneflower, Wild Geranium, and Compass Plant are well-adapted to the local climate and provide food and shelter for wildlife. They require little maintenance, are resistant to drought, and help manage rainwater runoff. Planting native species can contribute to the preservation of local ecosystems and support declining wildlife species. In addition, studies suggest spending time in a natural landscape is good for your health! For more information visit:
Wild Ones National: This website has a plethora of information on native plants and related topics.
Why Native Plants Matter: This page, created by the Audubon society, is a good place to refresh yourself on the importance of native plant choices and landscaping.
Indiana Native Plant Society: This organization addresses a wide range of topics to inform Indiana residents.
Homegrown National Park: Co-founded by native plant juggernaut, Doug Tallamy, this is an organization to follow for native plant resources including its signature – Get On The Map – program. Watch Doug’s videos!
How Do I Know It’s Native?
WOSB Native Plant List: Wild Ones South Bend has compiled lists of species native to the Michiana region for trees, shrubs, sedges, grasses, forbes, wetlands, vines, ferns, and spring ephemerals.
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center: One of the more comprehensive native plant databases for the US.
Wild Ones National: Why should I avoid cultivars and nativars?
Wild Ones South Bend – Where to buy Native Plants
Invasive Plants
There are many ways to change your yard/property into a more biodiverse, native habitat and removing invasive species is one of the most important. Invasive species are the ones that are non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the environmental, the economy, or human health. These species are characterized by their ability to grow quickly, spread to different areas, withstand many environmental conditions, and choke out native plants. For more information on identification and removal visit:
State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management: This organization helps foster invasive management throughout the state of Indiana through education and the creation of CISMAs (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas). For a complete list of Invasive species go to “resources” on their website.
St. Joseph/Marshall Counties Invasive Plant Partnership: This organization does outreach and education on invasive plant identification and removal. They also conduct land surveys and organize Weed Wrangles.
Indiana Invasive Species Council: Invasive species list and other resources
Managing Invasive Plants: Methods of Control – by Christopher Mattrick
Garden Design
When choosing a garden design, find one that incorporates natives from your eco-region into the design. If the design you like is from another region, don’t worry. You can always substitute plants from your eco-region into any design.
Wild One’s Native Garden Designs: Includes a number of midwest city designs.
The Michigan chapter of Audubon: A guide to gardening with birds in mind. This 16-page booklet includes a number of designs and strategies.
Build Your Own Rain Garden: This brochure covers many aspects of rain gardens. Other water features that benefit native plants and insects include bird baths, frog ponds, natural streams, retention ponds, pond in a barrel, and butterfly puddlers.
Native Plants for the Small Yard: This 60-page book (free as a PDF) written by Kate Brandes, goes in depth on the practices and ideas of native plant gardening on a smaller scale. *Please note, these designs use natives from the Delaware region which can be substituted with natives from the Michiana region.
Seed Treatment – Site Preparation
The Greenbay chapter of Wild Ones: An informative page on seed stratification, scarification, and sowing. There’s also a link to a seed propagation chart created by Prairie Nursery.
Prairie Moon Nursery: A guide to help with seed propagation.
How to Plant Native Grass and Wildflower Seed: This guide, developed by OPN Seed, covers seed sowing and preparation (layering, solarization, mechanical, herbicides) for small and large sites.
Pollinators
Knowing the relationship between plants and insects is paramount to understanding the “bigger picture” and why planting with native species is so impactful. For more information visit:
Purdue University – Extention: Entemology: This useful chart recommends Indiana native plants for attracting pollinators. The chart also shows which types of insects are connected to the various species.
The Xerces Society: A fantastic resource for learning more about invertebrate conservation. They also created a guide called Pollinator Plants of the Midwest Region.
Nesting & Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators and Other Beneficial Insects: This guide addresses brush/rock piles, snags and fallen logs, bare soil, and leaving the leaves.
The Pollinator Partnership: This organization promotes the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research.
Spring Butterflies of the Michiana Region: Food sources and host plants for spring butterflies of Michiana, created by WOSB member Keri Oursler.
Other Helpful Websites
St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District
Indiana Wildlife Federation