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A plant’s value isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it functions within the ecosystem where it grows. Understanding that allows informed choices that support both gardens and the environment.

Native gardening has a reputation for being great for the environment, but it’s also a very low maintenance way to add curb appeal to your house or a pop of color to the backyard. Native plants refer ...

Why should we use more native plants in our landscapes? I think the best reason is that it gives our gardens a sense of place. Using plants native to our region links home gardens to natural areas. It ...

Switch thirsty favorites with resilient, low-effort beauty ...

How often do you plant something in your garden simply because it looks pretty and/or smells nice. In this modern age, we are offered selections of flowers and plants that our ancestors never even ...

Press releases are posted on Independent.com as a free community service. As homeowners face long, dry summers and periods of extended drought, and rising water bills, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden ...

If you’ve ever walked into a native plant nursery and felt defeated because — admit it — all the offerings looked like 4-inch pots of weeds, do we have the shopping/planning guide for you: a set of ...

As spring planting season begins, experts and guides are urging gardeners to focus on native, pollinator-friendly plants to support bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. Updated checklists offer ...

Tom Oder is a writer, editor, and communication expert who specializes in sustainability and the environment with a sweet spot for urban agriculture. Do you know what native plants in your area are ...

The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, led by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, recently published Native Plants for Virginia’s Capital Region, a 72-page, full-color guide ...