Daily Detox: Go Native

There’s a reason why many meticulously landscaped suburban areas look unnatural - they are created from non-native plants. And it takes a lot of time, energy, water and fertilizer to achieve that “exotic” look.  

If you’ve reached the point in your summer where you actually have time to devote to the garden, think about native plants. Choosing plants that are already accustomed to the regional climate yields a healthier garden that uses less water, requires less energy and doesn’t need chemical intervention.  

The result is a beautiful, hardy landscape that doesn’t need artificial life support. Plus, native plants grow with less toll giving you more time to, well, stop and smell the flowers.

Just keep in mind that native is not the same as wild. Ripping healthy stock from a wild landscape depletes natural ecosystems. Check with the local nursery or start a seed swap with a gardener friend to get native plants without the bad eco-karma.