Hoosiers looking to lure native birds, see wildlife on the regular or watch the web of life evolve in their own backyard have been turning to native plants.
The growing preference for these species has been fueled by the realization that habitat loss is leading to widespread declines in wildlife across the continent.
Ecologists believe that individuals, those with or without a green thumb, can provide animals with a place to stop, refuel and gain the strength to keep moving by creating backyard micro habitats, lush with native species.
The flowers, vines, shrubs and tree species native to Indiana aren’t always your typical garden center find and don’t always play by the rules of traditional landscaping.
“Native plants are a little intimidating to some people,” Aaron Stump, the habitat programs manager of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, said.
Here are some resources and tips for turning your front lawn, window box, hellstrip or backyard garden into a habitat that sustains native food webs:
Get familiar with native plants
If you’re in the early stages of planning your native garden, without a clear idea of what to plant or where to put it, brush up on the habitats that you could replicate at a micro scale on your own property.
A Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District guides landscapers through the species that support monarch habitats, shade gardens, prairies and rain gardens.
For more detail, check out a plant finder. The Indiana Wildlife Federation (https://indianawildlife.org/education/native-plants-finder) and the Indiana Native Plant Society (https://finder.indiananativeplants.org) collaborated on a robust tool to help gardeners discover what plants work best for the amount of shade, water and care they can provide.
The Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District offers a guide to common native landscaping plants, with information about how to plant them and when they bloom.
Purchasing native plants
Some of the same places offering advice might also be a good source of native plants.
The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District has native plant sales every year, typically offering trees in the fall and habitat specific plant kits in the spring. The Indiana Wildlife Federation also sells kits that contain a selection of species curated to build out shady areas, prairies or monarch habitats.
Local organizations, like Indy Urban Acres, offer native plant sales or swaps.
Ask experts for help
Bobby Jean Avery-Kimball, the president of the Indiana Native Plant Society Central Chapter, started her native landscaping journey with a fire pit and a pin oak. More than 10 years later, she has more than 200 native species on her Westfield lot that measures less than a quarter acre.
Her advice is to take it slow.
“Pick a section in your yard and just chip away at it,” she said.
Aspiring native landscapers can find solace — and advice — in an active, 87,000-member Facebook group run by INPS.
County Soil and Water Districts often offer free consultations to help bring an eco-friendly vision to life.
Stump, who can be reached at stump@indianawildlife.org, said his email inbox is always open.
IndyStar’s environmental reporting is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Sophie Hartley is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach her at sophie.hartley@indystar.com or on X at @sophienhartley.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Native landscaping 101: Resources to get you started
Reporting by Sophie Hartley, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sophie Hartley, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
