There has been a lot of buzz in the last few years about landscaping with native plants. The United States has a serious problem with invasive plant species like kudzu, English ivy, or star-thistle. These plants have been introduced to areas where the native plants simply can’t compete, and they can cause serious harm to local ecosystems. Even if a non-native plant is relatively harmless, the fact that it didn’t evolve in a specific region means it will be very high maintenance when compared to native species. Using native or indigenous plants for New Jersey landscapes is not only beneficial for the environment but also your time.
Here in New Jersey, we have hundreds of native plant species that are not only beautiful, but can also help to conserve our state’s natural landscape while simultaneously saving time and money! But which native plants would be best for your garden? We’ve compiled a sampling of native plant species to get you started, suited for the various light, soil, and water conditions here in New Jersey.