Winter may have made a reappearance in Northeast Wisconsin, but we can still look forward to spring and our gardens! Consider adding native plants to your garden or landscaping this year to add beauty your yard and help your watershed at the same time.

Native plants are plant species that evolved in and occur naturally within a specific region.

What are the benefits of native plants?

In Northeast Wisconsin, native plants have many benefits, besides being pretty!

 

Some benefits of including native plants in your garden include:

  • Adapted to local climate and soils – so require less fertilizer and less watering.

  • Some species have deep roots (4+ feet!), which help water infiltrate into the ground on land, reducing the amount and speed of runoff.

  • Some have extensive root systems: lots of branching and surface area to hold onto soil, reducing erosion.

  • Add habitat for pollinators like birds, bees, and butterflies!

Some of our favorite species:

New England Aster

New England Aster

Height: 3 – 6 ft

Bloom Time: Aug – Oct

Color: Lavender, Pink, Purple

Common Rush

Common Rush

Height: 1 – 2 ft

Bloom Time: July – Sept

Color: Green

Black Eyed Susan

Black Eyed Susan

Height: 1 – 3 ft

Bloom Time: June – Sept

Color: Yellow

Wild Petunia

Wild Petunia

Height: 1 – 2 ft

Bloom Time: June – Aug

Color: Lavender

Stiff Goldenrod

Stiff Goldenrod

Height: 3 – 5 ft

Bloom Time: Aug – Sept

Color: Yellow

Prairie Blazing Star

Prairie Blazing Star

Height: 3 – 5 ft

Bloom Time: July – Aug

Color: Lavender, Pink, Purple

Learn more about native plants, shoreline restoration, and our projects using native plants here!