Going Native

What’s all the fuss about planting native plants over exotic or non-natives? Planting Native or Florida friendly plants in your landscape is important for so many reasons. To begin with they will require less water, saving you time & money. Native plants have been exposed to Florida’s pests conditions for many generations which has helped build up their resistance to insects & disease. They have also adapted to the weather conditions allowing for them to need less fertilizing. Butterflies, birds & other wildlife depend on native plants for food & shelter. Natives bloom & leaf out when they are needed most by wildlife. This means by doing something as simple as planting a native or Florida friendly plant you will be helping the environment by conserving water & eliminating the worry of chemical run off into our local waterways as well as providing food & shelter to wildlife.
If you aren’t sure what qualifies as a native plant or Florida friendly plant ask the experts Laurel Schiller & her partner Dan Walton owners of Florida Native Plants, Inc. FNP is a local owned business that was founded as Florida Scrub Growers & has been growing native plants from seeds & cuttings since 1982. To learn more about Florida Native Plants visit http://www.floridanativeplants.com/ . I’m sure you have guessed by now Laurel & Dan are donating some of their wonderful native plants to our $16,000 Ultimate backyard makeover contest which you can enter to win at www.wqmag.com.