Native Plants

Why is there a growing interest in planting natives?

Native plants serve as a crucial foundation to a thriving ecosystem. Unlike the exotic/imported plants that many people have historically planted, native plants evolved right here alongside the insects, birds and mammals of our region.

That means...

Native plants and native insects have co-evolved in a mutually beneficial way. Many native plants serve as the host plants for butterflies and moths in their larval state (caterpillars), and most of these plants depend on pollinating insects for fertilization. Without these plants we wouldn't have these beautiful insects to behold, and vice versa.
Native trees and plants support a much larger and more diverse population of birds. Your garden will become a living, breathing bird feeder, with nectar-filled flowers feeding hummingbirds, seeds feeding goldfinches, and caterpillars feeding a wide array species.
- - Did you know approximately 96% of terrestrial birds rely on caterpillars to feed their young?
Native plants are perfectly adapted for our climate -- resilient to the changing seasons, and well-suited for the rain and soil conditions of our area. The means they are easier to maintain and require less watering and little-to-no fertilizer!

So, while exotic plants might produce gorgeous flowers for us humans to enjoy looking at, native gardening gives us the opportunity to live in greater harmony with our natural world. We still get our beautiful flowers, but we also get to behold the miraculous process of caterpillars transforming into butterflies and moths, and a beautiful array of birds enjoying the fruits of our labors.

We hope this site helps our Deer Park neighbors:

Better understand the benefits of native plants
Discover the incredible joy and beauty natives will bring to our neighborhood
Learn how to get started

Where to buy natives

There are some fantastic native nurseries in and around Louisville. Here are some of our favorites, which focus on providing "ecotype" plants that are sourced from our specific region:

Dropseed Nursery in Goshen
Ironweed Nursery in Waddy
Above the Dirt Garden Shop in J-Town (mix of natives and non-invasives)

You can also check out online mail order nurseries like Prairie Nursery and Prairie Moon Nursery.

Need help with design, selection or planting?

You can always reach out to a neighbor! There is a growing community of passionate native gardeners right here in Deer Park. We are willing to share and swap plants, or offer advise and assistance!

You can also check out any of these landscapers who specialize in native landscaping if you want help with design or planting:

Garden-friendly Native Plants: A Starter List

Native gardening doesn't have to be scary or overwhelming. And it doesn't mean sacrificing beauty. Here is a list of some gorgeous flowers to get your native garden started! Neighbor-tested and verified to thrive here in Deer Park!

Butterfly weed, swamp milkweed, and other asclepias: Host plants to the endangered monarch butterfly. These specific species do not spread aggressively like the common milkweed.
Beebalm (scarlet, Bradbury's, and other monardas): Favorite of hummingbirds, swallowtails, and bees
Showy goldenrod and other solidagos: Considered a "keystone" species because of the vital role it plays as host plant to over 100 species of butterflies and moths. And a huge hit with the always-adorable bumblebees.
Anise hyssop: Member of the mint family, this particular species has a very long blooming period, which means it can simultaneously feed hummingbirds with its flowers and goldfinches with its seeds, along with countless bees and butterflies
Purple cone flower (echinacea): Favorite of pollinators and beloved by goldfinches
Aromatic aster and other symphyotrichum: Beautiful and diverse family of plants that host 9 butterfly and moth species, and feed 16 specialist bee species
Rose vervain: Lovely groundcover that will bloom off and on throughout the summer
Slender mountain mint, and other native mints: Constant bloomers and enjoyed by a huge array of native bees
Rattlesnake Master: A unique plant with a yucca-like leaves and tall flower stalk with spiky white flowers
Blue false indigo or other baptisia: Shoots up tall spikes of striking blue flowers that develop into striking black seed pods in the winter. Host to several butterflies and moths
Little bluestem: A lovely, well-behaved grass that makes a great addition to the garden
Prairie dropseed: A delicate grass whose seeds smell like coriander, and which hosts six different species of butterflies and moths

Beneficial Native Shrubs

These shrubs are powerhouse host plants, rich sources of nectar for pollinators, and food sources for birds in the form of seeds, berries and fruits.

Common Ninebark
Buttonbush
New Jersey tea
Wild hydrangea
Chokeberry
Arrowwood viburnum
Winterberry, Coralberry and Beautyberry
Virginia sweetspire
Chokecherry
Shrubby St. John's Wort
Spicebush
Hazelnut

Want to learn more?

There is a wealth of valuable websites out there to help you find a selection of plants that are just right for your space and taste.

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