Spring is fast approaching so you are probably brainstorming gardening tips and sifting through images of different landscape ideas. Before you spend a lot of money on plants and get your hands dirty, consider the benefits of native gardening.

Selecting native plants that adapt well to the local climate and soil conditions do not require fertilizers or pesticides, and use less water which helps prevent erosion. Native plants also remove carbon, require less lawn maintenance and have a positive impact on air, water, and wildlife.

The Nature Conservancy divides the U.S. into zones, recommending specific native plants for each zone. CLICK HERE for details about specific native plants per zone. At the Jersey Shore, we are considered Zone 7. The recommended native plants for our zone include the following:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Butterfly Milkweed
• Indiangrass
• Large-flowered trillium
• Oxeye Sunflower
• Spiderwort
• Swamp Azalea
• Virginia Bluebells
• Virginia Wild Rye

Have you considered going the native plant route?

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