Did you know that Ohio was the first state in the country to have a month recognizing the importance of native plants? In 2019, April was designated as Native Plant Month in Ohio and launched a campaign to increase public awareness of Ohio’s native plants and the many benefits they provide!
Native plants are species that naturally occur in a given area and have evolved for the specific area or ecosystem. The native plants in Ohio have evolved over thousands of years alongside the wildlife, soils, and climate to form a specialized relationship. Often times, they require less watering, fertilizer, and care because they are already adapted for our climate.
Due to habitat destruction, pesticide use and the introduction of invasive species, there has been a sharp decline in native pollinators and wildlife species. Encouraging native plants to be used in landscapes and garden beds can help reverse this decline, by providing food and shelter for native species. These days, it seems most residential neighborhoods are surrounded by a lush, green lawn. While a well-manicured lawn is marketed as the ‘American Dream’, turf grass provides no benefit to native wildlife and pollinators.
Landowners can help pollinators by choosing native plants for potted plants and landscapes, with extra points if you have a variety of species that flower at different times throughout the growing season. Encouraging pollinator friendly habitats is important for improving the health and sustainability of our ecosystem and food web.
You can find a native plant provider near you by visiting this link: https://www.ohionativeplantmonth.org/native-plant-sources
Ohio is home to almost 2,000 different species of native plants which include flowers, vines, grasses, shrubs, and trees. It is critical now more than ever, to choose native this spring when making landscaping decisions. Help support Ohio’s pollinators and wildlife by planting native!
