You Don’t Have to Plant an All Native Garden
Native Gardening for the Modern Homesteader: Balancing Eco-Friendly Practices and Garden Aesthetics
Are you feeling the pressure to create a purely native garden? You’re not alone! In today’s post, we’ll explore the importance of planting native species, discuss the benefits of mixing in non-natives, and share practical tips for dealing with invasive plants on your property. I promise, you don’t have to plant an all native garden to still be a good steward of the environment and your land. It’s about knowledge and balance.

The All-or-Nothing Pressure of a Native Garden
Understanding the Native-Only Trend
If you spend time on social media, you’ve probably noticed a growing push to plant exclusively native species. While native plants offer tremendous benefits to local ecosystems, there’s a feeling in some circles that if you’re not 100% native, you’re doing something wrong. The truth is, gardening is personal—and it’s okay to find a balance that works for you, your space, and your budget when you are creating a garden.
Benefits of Going Native
- Environmental Support: Native plants are perfectly adapted to your local climate and soil, making them great supporters of wildlife, pollinators, and overall biodiversity.
- Reduced Maintenance: Because they thrive in local conditions, native plants typically require less water, fewer (if any) fertilizers, and little to no pesticides.
- Weed Control: Many native species naturally outcompete invasive weeds, helping keep the garden manageable.

Companion Planting Tips for Beginners
Here’s what I’ve discovered through trial and error (and a little research) about companion planting—what works, what doesn’t, and what you may want to keep in mind as you plan your garden.
The Comparison Trap
Social media can make it seem like everyone has a flawlessly designed, entirely native paradise. But here’s the catch: what’s native in one region may not be native elsewhere. Don’t get caught up in following trends that may not even apply to your area. Instead, focus on learning which species are truly native to where you live.

Finding Native Plants in Your Area
Use Helpful Resources
- HomegrownNationalPark.org: This website offers lists of native plants by state and links to local nurseries specializing in native varieties.
- Local Conservation Sites: Many state conservation departments or local park systems maintain databases of recommended native plants and known invasive species.
Visit Local Native Nurseries
If possible, check out nurseries dedicated to native plants. Yes, you might pay a bit more for mature perennial natives, but many can also be started from seed at a lower cost. Consider a mix of seeds and established plants for a garden that’s both budget-friendly and visually appealing right from the start!
Balancing Native and Non-Native Plants
There are many beautiful plants that are not native that show up in garden centers across the country. There are also sometimes you might prefer a non-native plant, and that’s okay! Just try to choose a non-native that is also non-invasive.
Many non-natives are grown as annuals, which won’t come back each year or spread beyond your yard. This is MUCH better than planting non-native invasive perennials.
The Case for Non-Natives
- Aesthetics: Sometimes, a non-native flower or ornamental plant is just the perfect pop of color you’re after.
- Business: You might want to have a cut flower business and sell your flowers and plants.
- Health and Wellness: You might want to plant herbs and veggies to eat and use for herbal wellness.

Choose Non-Invasive Non-Natives
It’s crucial to select non-native plants that are not invasive or likely to disrupt local ecosystems. Research or consult with local gardening experts to find species that play well with native plants.
Common Invasives that gardeners plant
- English Ivy: Can climb trees and damage bark over time.
- Garlic Mustard: Often considered a medicinal weed, but pulls easily.
- Lily of the Valley: Beautiful, yet it can spread aggressively.
- Chinese and Japanese Wisteria: The vines can girdle and kill trees.
- Bamboo: Spread aggressively via underground rhizomes, making them difficult to contain without solid barriers.
Ensure that non-native plants are suitable for the specific microclimates and soil conditions of your garden to avoid excessive maintenance, watering, or even pesticides. This helps in creating a self-sustaining garden environment.
Aim for a Mix
A balanced approach might look like filling most of your perennial spaces with natives and incorporating a few non-native annuals for extra color or variety. Often times, annuals will add color to your garden earlier in the year! This ensures your garden supports local ecosystems without sacrificing the flowers and veggies that make your space truly your own.
Dealing with Invasive Species
Practical Removal Tips
- Identify: Use apps like PlantNet to confirm whether a plant is invasive.
- Pull or Cut: For smaller weeds like garlic mustard, hand-pulling is often sufficient.
- Monitor: Keep an eye on border areas to prevent spread into local parks or neighboring yards.
- Long-Term Strategy: Some plants may be too ingrained to remove immediately. Focus on areas you can control, then tackle more difficult spots over time.
It’s a Process
Don’t feel guilty if you can’t eradicate every invasive right now. Even small steps, like removing a couple of vines or pulling weeds before they go to seed, can make a difference.
My Simple Action Steps for You
- Identify a Weed: Grab your phone, open a plant ID app, and see if that mysterious plant is native or invasive. If it’s invasive, pull it!
- Add One Native Plant at a time: Whether from seed or a local nursery, introduce a new native species as you plan your garden this year (perennials will come back each year!)
- Balance for Joy: Remember, your garden should make you happy. Don’t stress over perfection—just keep making incremental improvements. If you want to choose some annuals for fun and color, do it! Just be sure they are not invasive.

FAQ: Your Native Gardening Questions Answered
1. Why is planting native species so important?
Native species are adapted to local climates and soils, support essential pollinators and wildlife, and generally require fewer resources like water and fertilizer, making them more eco-friendly.
2. Can I still plant non-native annuals?
Absolutely! Non-native annuals can add color and variety without becoming invasive, as they typically complete their life cycle in one season and do not spread aggressively.
3. How do I find local native plant nurseries?
Websites like HomegrownNationalPark.org often list nurseries by state. You can also check with local conservation groups or parks for recommended suppliers.
4. What if I already have invasive plants?
Start by identifying which species are invasive and remove what you can, focusing on those that are easiest to pull or most likely to spread further. For more established invasives, develop a long-term removal plan or at least contain them.
5. Is it wrong to keep a few invasive ornamentals if I love how they look?
The goal is to prevent invasives from spreading into local ecosystems. If you choose to keep them, regularly check for seedlings or runners extending beyond your property. Gradually replacing them with native or non-invasive alternatives can protect local habitats.
Balance, Balance, Balance!
Balancing the desire for a gorgeous garden with the need to protect local ecosystems doesn’t have to be stressful. By focusing on planting native perennials where possible, supplementing with non-native annuals for pops of color, and tackling invasive species one step at a time, you can create a thriving, eco-friendly homestead garden—without sacrificing your personal style.
Want to continue the conversation? Join our Facebook community and share your garden journey. Let’s learn and grow together! And if you found this post (and the podcast) helpful, please leave a comment below!
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About the Author:
I’m Brittany, totally modern and mainstream turned crunchy mama!
Read more here about how I went from a totally incompetent cook and hyper-consumer to striving to live a more meaningful life from scratch.
I can’t wait to share my modern homesteading journey with you and I hope I inspire you to join along!