You've probably heard that planting native plants is good for the environment.
But what exactly makes a plant native? Does it have to be a wildflower growing in a prairie somewhere? And what about all those beautiful cultivated varieties you see at the nursery? Do those count?
If you've been curious about adding native plants to your yard but aren't sure where to begin, you're not alone.
In this episode of The Dirt, Mary talks with Johanna George of Bailey Nurseries about native plants, nativars and how to choose plants that look beautiful while supporting the environment around them.
And here's the good news: You don't have to turn your entire yard into a prairie to incorporate native plants into your landscape.
What Makes a Plant Native?
A native plant is one that naturally occurs in a particular geographic area.
That might sound straightforward, but here's where it gets interesting: A plant can be native to North America without necessarily being native to Iowa.
Native ranges can vary from state to state and even within a state, depending on soil conditions, geography and other environmental factors.
That's why it's important to look beyond a plant label that simply says “native” and consider where it's native.
In Iowa, native plants can include everything from prairie grasses and flowering perennials to shrubs and trees.
And when those plants are growing in conditions similar to their natural habitat, they can offer some pretty impressive benefits.
Want to learn more about native plants and nativars? Watch Mary and Johanna's conversation in Episode 4 of The Dirt below, or keep reading for ideas you can use in your own Iowa landscape.
Why Plant Native Plants in Your Yard?
Native plants can do a lot more than look pretty.
Because they've developed as part of the local environment, they can provide important benefits for the landscape around them.
For example, native plants can help:
Support pollinators. Native flowers, shrubs and trees can provide food and habitat for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Provide wildlife habitat. Some offer berries, seeds, shelter or nesting opportunities for birds and other wildlife.
Support soil health and stability. Root systems can help hold soil in place and reduce erosion.
Create winter habitat. Grasses, seed heads and woody plants can provide cover and resources long after the growing season ends.
Reduce maintenance needs. When planted in suitable conditions, established native plants may need less supplemental care than plants poorly suited to the site.
That last part is important.
A native plant isn't automatically a low-maintenance plant just because it's native. You still have to put it in the right place.
A plant that naturally thrives in moist soil isn't necessarily going to be happy in the driest, sandiest corner of your yard.
Which brings us to one of the biggest considerations when choosing any plant: matching it to your growing conditions.
What's the Difference Between a Native Plant and a Nativar?
If you've been shopping for plants, you may have come across the term nativar.
It's simply a shortened way of saying cultivated variety of a native plant.
A nativar is a cultivated selection of a native species, often developed or selected for a particular characteristic.
For example, growers might select a plant for:
A more compact size
A different flower or foliage color
A longer blooming period
Improved tolerance of certain growing conditions
A particular growth habit that makes it easier to use in residential landscaping
Think about a homeowner who loves a particular native shrub but doesn't have room for the full-size version.
A compact cultivated variety might make it possible to incorporate a similar plant into a smaller landscape.
But there's an important distinction: Native plants and nativars aren't necessarily interchangeable when it comes to their ecological benefits.
Changes to flowers, foliage or other characteristics can sometimes affect how insects and wildlife interact with a plant. The impact depends on the particular plant and the trait that's been changed.
Some gardeners prefer to plant only straight native species. Others incorporate a combination of native species, nativars and other ornamental plants.
Johanna falls somewhere in the middle.
Her approach is to consider what she's trying to accomplish, what will grow successfully in that location and whether a native plant or nativar can meet those needs.
And that's a pretty practical way to approach landscaping.
Native Ornamental Grasses Worth Considering for Iowa Landscapes
When Mary asks Johanna about her favorite native plants, grasses are at the top of her list.
And if you haven't considered ornamental grasses for your landscape, you might be missing out.
They add movement, texture and seasonal interest. Depending on the species, they can also provide habitat and food sources for wildlife.
Here are four grasses Johanna particularly enjoys.
Little Bluestem
Little bluestem is a native prairie grass known for its fine texture and attractive seasonal color.
It can be a beautiful addition to a sunny landscape, especially when combined with flowering perennials or other plants with contrasting foliage.
Big Bluestem
Big bluestem is another native prairie grass, but it's generally much taller than little bluestem.
Its size makes it especially useful where you have room for a larger, more naturalistic planting.
It's one to consider for prairie-inspired landscapes rather than squeezing it into a tiny foundation bed.
Switchgrass
Switchgrass is a native grass that can provide height, texture and movement in the landscape.
There are also cultivated selections with different growth habits and foliage characteristics, making it worth exploring if you're looking for ornamental grasses.
Prairie Dropseed
Prairie dropseed is one of Johanna's personal favorites.
She loves its fine-textured, mounded appearance and how it works alongside plants like catmint and junipers.
It's a great example of how native grasses don't have to be reserved for large prairie restorations.
They can be beautiful additions to more traditional residential landscaping, too.
Native Shrubs and Trees That Offer More Than Good Looks
Native landscaping doesn't have to mean planting only flowers and grasses.
There are plenty of native shrubs and trees worth considering, especially if you're looking for plants that serve more than one purpose.
Johanna highlights several examples that can offer ornamental appeal along with potential benefits for wildlife.
Black Chokeberry (Aronia)
If you're looking for a shrub that offers interest throughout the growing season, black chokeberry is worth learning about.
It produces spring flowers, fruit and striking red fall foliage.
Johanna even compares its fall color to burning bush.
And unlike a plant chosen purely for its appearance, chokeberry can also provide fruit for birds and other wildlife.
Cultivated varieties offer additional options for different landscape sizes and designs.
Serviceberry
Serviceberry is another favorite, and for good reason.
It can provide early spring flowers, fruit for wildlife and attractive foliage.
Johanna specifically mentions Standing Ovation serviceberry, a narrow, upright cultivated selection that can work well as a privacy screen.
Think about that for a minute.
Instead of planting something simply to block the view of your neighbor's deck, you could choose a plant that also offers seasonal beauty and resources for wildlife.
That's a pretty good use of landscape space.
Elderberry, Hazelnut and Viburnum
Johanna also mentions elderberries, hazelnuts and viburnums as plants worth exploring.
Depending on the species and variety, these shrubs can offer flowers, fruit, screening or wildlife benefits.
Some grow quite large, so it's important to understand their mature size before planting.
And remember that not every species or cultivated variety within these groups is native to Iowa.
The exact plant matters.
How to Choose the Right Native Plants for Your Yard
Here's where things can get overwhelming.
You've read about native plants. You like the idea of helping pollinators. You've seen a few grasses and shrubs that look interesting.
But how do you know what will actually work in your yard?
Start with what you need the plant to do.
Are you looking for privacy?
Consider shrubs or trees with the appropriate mature height and width.
Do you want more pollinators?
Look at flowering plants that can provide resources at different points throughout the growing season.
Are you trying to fill a sunny, dry area?
Explore plants that naturally tolerate those conditions.
Do you have a wet spot that always seems to stay soggy?
Look for plants suited to consistently moist soil rather than trying to force a dry-site plant to grow there.
And don't forget the basics: available sunlight, soil conditions, mature size and the amount of maintenance you're willing to do.
You also don't have to replace everything in your landscape.
Maybe you start with a native grass in an existing perennial bed. Or add a serviceberry where you need some screening. Or replace a struggling shrub with something better suited to that location.
Small changes can still make a difference. Once you've narrowed down your options, the next step is figuring out how to choose plants that look good together using color, texture and bloom time.
Do You Have to Plant Only Native Plants?
No.
And that's one of the things we appreciate about Johanna's approach.
If she can accomplish what she wants in her landscape with a native plant or a suitable nativar, that's often where she'll start.
But she also recognizes that other ornamental plants may sometimes be a better fit for a particular location or purpose.
Even native plants can have considerations beyond their benefits.
For example, Johanna mentions eastern red cedar, a native tree that can serve as a host for cedar-apple rust, a disease that can affect nearby apple trees.
That doesn't mean eastern red cedar is a bad tree.
It means that choosing plants involves looking at the whole landscape, not just whether something is native.
You can appreciate native plants, support wildlife and still have a landscape that includes other ornamentals you love.
The goal is to make thoughtful choices.
Where Can You Check if a Plant Is Native to Iowa?
Because native ranges can be so specific, it's worth checking a reliable source before assuming a plant is native to your area.
Johanna recommends resources such as USDA plant distribution information and state-based botanical references.
For Iowa gardeners, useful places to start include the USDA PLANTS Database and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
These resources can help you learn more about a plant's native range, characteristics and growing requirements.
And if you're looking at a particular cultivar, pay attention to its full botanical name so you know exactly which plant you're researching.
Find Plants Suited to Your North Iowa Yard at Natural Plus Nursery
Whether you're interested in adding more native plants, trying a new ornamental grass or finding a shrub that provides privacy and seasonal interest, you don't have to figure it all out yourself.
At Natural Plus Nursery, we focus on offering plants suited to our North Iowa growing zone so our customers have the best chance of success.
That doesn't mean every plant we carry is native to Iowa. It means we want to help you find plants that are appropriate for our growing conditions and your particular landscape.
Tell us what you're looking for, where you want to plant it and what conditions you're working with.
Maybe you want to attract more pollinators. Maybe you need some privacy. Or maybe you've got an empty spot in the yard and just want something beautiful that will actually grow there.
We'll help you explore your options.
We've been serving Clear Lake, Mason City and North Iowa since 1978, and we love helping customers discover plants they might not have considered before.
Stop out to Natural Plus Nursery, explore our selection of trees, shrubs and perennials, and let's find something that's right for your yard.
Want More of The Dirt?
There's always more to learn about the plants in your yard!
In Episode 4 of The Dirt, Mary and Johanna George of Bailey Nurseries dig deeper into native plants, nativars and how to choose the right plants for your landscape.
Listen to Episode 4 on Spotify.
And if you have a question you've always wanted to ask about trees, shrubs, perennials or life behind the scenes at a nursery, send it our way. It might just become a future episode of The Dirt.