Why Native Plants?

Native plants are those that are indigenous to a certain area and have adapted to the local conditions. They provide food and shelter for native wildlife, whereas exotic species cannot because they haven’t evolved with the surrounding wildlife. In addition to supporting biodiversity, they also benefit homeowners by requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than exotics.

These guides (right) provide an overview of commercially available native plants in the Georgia eastern piedmont. Through a partnership with the Athens-Clarke County Office of Sustainability and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, these guides were created for use by both homeowners and industry professionals.