By Anne Proffitt, Louisville Audubon board member
As we wrap up winter and look toward spring, many of us feel a strong urge to step outside, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature. There’s something grounding about tending a garden—whether it’s a small container garden on a patio or a yard filled with trees, shrubs, and flowers.
If you admire nature and feel a connection with the natural world, planting native plants is one of the most meaningful ways to deepen that connection—and to invite birds, butterflies, and essential pollinators into your space.
What Is a native plant?
A native plant is a species that naturally occurs in a specific geographic area. It has evolved and adapted to the local environment over thousands of years.
That long history matters.
Native birds, butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects have formed intricate relationships with the plants in their region. They rely on them for food, shelter, nesting materials, and survival. When non-native species move into a new area, they often crowd out the native species, leaving native animals without the means to survive.
Why plant native?
Planting native trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials around your home offers powerful benefits:
- They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies
- They provide food and shelter for birds
- They support beneficial insects essential to a healthy ecosystem
- They thrive naturally because they are adapted to your soil, climate, and rainfall
- They often require less maintenance and watering than non-native plant species
Because native plants evolved in your area, they typically grow stronger and have a better chance of long-term survival than non-native plant species. (That means less frustration for you—and more stability for wildlife.)
Many plants are native to Kentucky, including Sweet-Scented Joe-Pye-Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) and Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), both seen in this photo. Courtesy Douglas Tallamy
A free resource to help you plant native
The Native Plant Database on the National Audubon Society’s website is a helpful tool that can help you plan your native plantings.
Here’s how to use it:
- Go to Audubon.org/native-plants
- Enter your ZIP code
- Click Find Plants
You’ll receive a detailed list of native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses suited to your specific area. The database includes:
- Photos of each plant
- Information about what wildlife each plant attracts
- What those plants provide (nectar, seeds, berries, shelter)
- Local resources and vendors
It’s informative, easy to use, and completely free.
Start small—or dream big
You don’t need acres of land to make a difference. A few native plants in patio containers can support pollinators. A thoughtfully chosen shrub can feed birds through winter. A single tree can become a habitat.
Spring is a season of renewal. By choosing native plants, you’re not just decorating your space, you’re providing food and habitat for local fauna, and helping to maintain relationships that have existed for thousands of years.
So happy planting, and happy spring!
Photo credit for featured photo: BudOhio/Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Caption: Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Monarda didyma (Scarlet Beebalm)
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