Many of the plants that you see coloring the landscape originate in other countries. While they are beautiful, they may not be the best suited for the Pittsburgh region.
There are over 2,000 native plants in Pennsylvania, 1,300 foreign plant species, with more coming into the state every year.
Many of the native plants are getting pushed out through land development, and homeowners choosing non-native plants.
Many people have a mix of both. If you do not want all native Pennsylvanian plants, we encourage this option as there are many benefits to native PA plants! If we help you decide on native plants for your garden, stop by our nursery and pick them up!
There are benefits environmentally, and for you as the gardener. Let’s take a look at a few.
Native plants have long become acclimated to the soil and weather of the area and will grow happily with less encouragement.
Pollinating insects and birds use trees shrubs and other local plant varieties as a food source. While animals adapt to food sources, sometimes foreign plants can have unintended results on the local wildlife.
When you think of native plants, you probably think of grasses and drab groundcover. This could not be further from the truth. Various lilies, bluebells, asters, and goldenrods, to name a few, call Pennsylvania home, and they offer plenty of color.
Native plants are accustomed to the rainfall of the Pennsylvanian area and their demands are appropriate. Other plants may require additional watering to remain healthy.
Taking the base of the food chain into account, native plants are certainly important. Even if you feed the wildlife on your property, others may not, and if the squirrels and birds become dependent on you feeding them, this isn’t the best solution. Most birds feed their hatchlings on caterpillars and other bugs that rely on these native plants. Foreign plants do not offer nourishment for as many insects and can have negative effects on their population.
Many invasive plants sprout earlier than native plants causing a resource bottleneck where native plants are often forced out.
While you still need to be sure that your property offers sufficient light and has nutrient rich soil, these native plants and trees are sure to make your garden a site to behold for you, your guests, and the local wildlife.
Black-eyed Susan – Do well with a lot of sunlight, but don’t need as much water
Bee Balm – Grows best in a lot of sunlight, moist soil is sufficient, all this enables it to provides nectar to wildlife.
Cardinal Flower – These grow in shade or sun, but require moist soils when planted in the sun. Features intense red flower spikes that bloom at the end of summer.
Goldenrod – Goldenrod is best for sunny sites, prefers less moisture, but can adapt, and features bright yellow flowers to attract pollinators.
Queen of The Prairie – These perennials are large, grows well in sun or shade, but make sure to water if grown in the sun. Pollinators flock to their bright pink flowers.
Wild Indigo – Sturdy plant that grows well in most dirt for many years producing large flowers.
Swamp Milkweed – Grows best in the sun, can make the best of wet soils. Smells similar to vanilla, and attracts monarch butterflies.
Butterfly Milkweed – These small plants feature bright orange flowers in the summer and also host monarch butterflies. They are drought resistant when fully grown in well lit areas.
Here are just a few of the native trees you can plant in Pennsylvania:
Eastern White Pine – Requires lots of sun, hosts alot of wildlife, and has a pleasing shape, evergreen for year round enjoyment
Red Maple – Requires lots of sun, but it is highly adaptable to sun and water. Turns a beautiful orange in the fall.
Sugar Maple – Requires a lot of sunlight, can adapt to less water, and as an added bonus, can be tapped to extract sap that can be refined into maple syrup!
Eastern Red Cedar – Requires a lot of sun, but NOT a lot of water. This tree is an evergreen conifer and features cones that look similar to berries.
Flowering Dogwood – Does well in shade, thrives in acidic soil, and produces red berries.
River Birch – This tree grows fast in moist areas, and provides food and shelter for many butterflies and large moths. The bark peels in the winter.
Check out a few examples of native shrubs to feature in your garden next year!
Mountain Laurel – These broadleaf evergreens prefer shady areas, and bloom in mid spring.
Winterberry – Grows best with alot of sun and a moderate amount of water, and produces red berries
Swamp Azalea – This rhododendron does well in sun, moist soil, and produces pleasant smelling flowers in early spring.
American Pussy Willow – This large shrub does well in moist topsoil, does best in the sun and has fuzzy flowers in the winter.
American Wisteria – Blooms later than other types of wisteria with large groups of purple flowers.
HOA’s can often site negative plants as being an eyesore since they are found in the wild and not always perceived as a smart environmental choice, but rather a yard that has just gotten out of hand. Your pollinator garden featuring local flora and fauna may be appreciated by the animals, but HOA’s often require more convincing.
While every situation is different, be sure to have documentation prepared on each of the plants and the benefits that they provide to nature and in turn the local community before they are planted if possible to give you the best chance at a short easy journey to a native garden in your HOA governed neighborhood.
Another way to keep your HOA off your back is to take extra care to keep your garden’s presentation tidy and contained. Keep your flower beds well defined, ground cover plants trimmed and keep it as picturesque as possible. The HOA is there for safety and public perception of the neighborhood. In order to retain your pollinator garden full of native plant life, it is best to work with them instead of against them.
Phelps Nursery stocks native and non-native plants at our four locations. Visit one of our four locations today! We proudly offer our plants, products, and services in Upper St. Clair, McKees Rocks/Robinson Twp., Cranberry, and Beaver County.
