by Jennifer Morrisey
As a farmer, I think a lot of people assume my green thumb extends to my flower gardens, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. I have killed more rose bushes than I care to admit, and I’m pretty sure hydrangeas hate me. I’ve struggled to keep some perennials alive and spent a lot of time trying to figure out why my gardens never looked like I envisioned in my head.
For years, I thought that a beautiful garden required constant watering, disease monitoring and a strict fertilization routine. These tasks felt overwhelming after long days tending to crops. I was ready to give up on flower gardening entirely, but then as a last-ditch effort I decided to try some native flowers.
Why native plants?
Unlike some finicky perennials that I had been trying (and failing) to grow, native plants are made for our climate and, once established, will tolerate a little neglect. These plants tend to thrive with minimal fuss, attract pollinators and butterflies, and fill my garden with low maintenance color year after year. And the best part? As they mature, many native plants form clumps that can be dug up, divided and used to expand a garden or gifted to friends.
Native flowering plants have been growing in our region long before gardeners like me started fussing over flower beds. These plants have adapted to New York’s climate, soil and pests, which means they don’t need coddling with extra water, fertilizer or constant pest control to thrive. These are the plants that know how to handle our unpredictable weather. They’ve been doing it for centuries.
Easy-care native flowers
Once I started adding native plants to my garden, I realized I had some favorites. These flowering perennials bring long-lasting color and plenty of pollinator and bird visitors. I think these minimal effort plants are perfect for both beginner and seasoned gardeners.
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) really opened the door to native flowers for me. Coneflowers are an absolute workhorse in the garden, blooming from early summer to fall, with each flower lasting several weeks. Butterflies love coneflowers, and if you leave the seed heads standing after the flowers fade, they provide food for small birds in the winter. If you’re looking to attract both butterflies and birds, coneflowers are a great choice.
Is there a more iconic wildflower than the cheerful black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)? These charming perennials are incredibly resilient and practically thrive on neglect, making them a staple in low-maintenance gardens. The bright yellow, daisy-like blooms add a sunny pop of color from midsummer through fall, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. I planted a couple in a stony, dry patch where little else has been able to grow, and they are happily thriving and even reseeding.
Beebalm (Monarda didyma) is a must-have to bring hummingbirds to your garden. Its bright red, pink or purple blooms are loaded with nectar, making it a favorite for both hummingbirds and pollinators like bees and butterflies. It usually blooms July through August. It’s deer-resistant, fragrant and easy to grow in full sun to part shade with average soil. While it spreads by rhizomes, it’s not overly aggressive and can be divided to keep it in check.
If your garden starts to fade by late summer, a New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) will add a pop of purple that can last well into fall. This native perennial is a powerhouse for pollinators, providing a crucial nectar source when many other flowers have finished blooming. Monarch butterflies love New England asters, and it’s a good source of late season nectar for their migration. With its tall, upright habit and dense clusters of daisy-like flowers, this plant adds height and structure to garden beds and is really well suited for the back of the garden. It thrives in full sun and is a great alternative to mums.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) deserves a spot in your garden if you’re looking for a native plant that’s as useful as it is beautiful. Its tall spikes of purple flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The leaves smell just like licorice and can even be used in teas. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant and incredibly easy to grow, it’s a fuss-free favorite of mine that adds color to a full sun garden.
Tickseed (Coreopsis tripteris) deserves a special mention for being a true champ when it comes to thriving in poor soil. This tough, low-maintenance perennial doesn’t mind a little neglect, and daisy-like blooms will grace the plant from early summer into fall. It is drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators, and even shrugs off deer and rabbits, making it a must-have for any fuss-free garden.
Where to find native plants
If there wasn’t already so much to love about native flowers, here’s one more reason: you don’t have to spend a fortune to get started. I love browsing garden center; most now offer a great selection of native plants. But many native plants can be found for free or at a very low cost through plant swaps, garden clubs and gardening groups.
Because native plants tend to spread as they mature, gardeners often have extras to share. Plant swaps are a great way to pick up divisions of purple coneflower, black-eyed Susans or anise hyssop without spending a dime. Many local gardening groups offer seasonal plant exchanges where gardeners share what’s thriving in their own yards. It’s a win-win: you get hardy, locally adapted plants, and other gardeners get to pass along their extras.
While native plants are low-maintenance in the long run, they do require some patience in their first year. Many – especially those with deep roots or spreading rhizomes – may appear slow-growing or even struggling at first. But don’t be discouraged! Once established, they flourish with minimal effort, rewarding you with years of vibrant blooms.
Switching to native plants has changed how I feel about gardening. Now, instead of constantly worrying about what’s struggling, I get to enjoy a colorful garden that practically takes care of itself. If you’ve ever felt like gardening is more work than reward, give native plants a try. You just might find, like I did, that they make all the difference.
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