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Nerd alert: I spent the last three weeks on a research spree, totally enthralled by the specific benefits of local plants.
It started out by researching cultivars of echinacea and rudbeckia, which lead me to exploring whether non-straight native species truly benefit our ecosystems.
This deep dive made me question my gardening choices—was I making a mistake by focusing on non-native cros?
In today’s post, you’ll learn how integrating native plants as companions to your crops might just be the key to ecological balance in your home garden.
To me, companion planting always feels a bit like a mythical legend we gardeners love to chase. Finding the right combinations is a bit like Atlantis - there’s debate around what’s real and what’s a false lead.
Here’s an interesting thought: you can never really fail with the idea of companion planting when you’re working with local straight species plants.
For example, I was amazed to find out from a University of South Australia study that integrating native vegetation can boost crop yields by 12-20%!
When the end goal is creating a healthy and productive garden, native plants are a surefire way to enhance your gardening efforts.
Which plants in your garden have you noticed helping each other to perform well?
If you’re new to companion planting, "Plant Partners" by Jessica Walliser offers scientifically-backed insights — I highly recommend it. (Although, if something works for you that isn’t in that book, keep on doing it!)
I’ve found that at its heart, companion planting is about nurturing collaborative relationships that boost growth, build resilience, and optimize the use of resources.
I like to think of some plants in my garden as old friends, always cheering each other on. Just like how your best friends support you, some plants create micro-environments that help each other thrive. For example, taller herbs or perennials can offer shelter to sun-sensitive companions, while others enhance the soil with nutrients for their neighbors.
For me, one of the most rewarding parts of companion planting is how some herbs and flowers can naturally fend off pests. Like a knight in shining armor, picture these plants as defenders of your crops. Some fight off unwanted insects, while others call in helpful predators like they’re lighting the beacons of Gondor and calling for aid. This natural balance means less reliance on chemical interventions for a healthier garden.
Diverse pairings can also lead to better pollination. Some plants are like a friend who loves to play matchmaker - maybe like a literal wingman, encouraging winged pollinators like bees and butterflies to help with pollination. Better pollination results in bigger harvests, improved seed production, and lush blooms. In fact, a study published in PeerJ found that the presence of pollinators could increase yields by up to 71%!
Just like a budget-savvy friend who knows how to sleuth out amazing coupon codes, some companion plants are great at gathering resources and offering them to their neighbors. Deep-rooted grasses and perennials tap into lower layers for nutrients, while shallow-rooted ones make the most of the topsoil.
Now that you have the basics, let's look at how local flora can show up in these different roles to support your home garden.
Native plants are top performers for achieving the tasks usually assigned to the “standard” companion plants. Of course, they do more than that - they fortify your garden’s sustainability and elevate your ecosystem’s biodiversity.
Quick time travel back to my three-week research spree on native species…
I learned so much about the benefits of local species - and how sometimes, the fancy cultivar version of straight species don’t have the same positive impact.
Honestly, this made me feel bad for growing even broccoli, endemic to the Mediterranean and not the PNW.
I spent some time journaling around this and had a lightbulb moment.
I'm not alone in this train of thought - just have a look at how many grants SARE has awarded to farmers on the benefits of native plants for their standard crops.
You don't have to be a farmer to apply this, though. In your own garde, you could grow french marigolds with tomatoes, and add in regional nodding onion.
According to Sparrowhawk Native Plants, nodding onion is known to repel pests in the garden, like how a stink bomb could clear out a middle school hallway.
If I weave local flora into my garden as companion plants, I can balance my cultivation practices with the natural ecosystem for better productivity and ecological balance.
This approach feels like I'm giving back to the land. It kind of follows my “don’t be a gardener, be a land steward” personal motto.
Endemic plants are kind of like seasoned local guides to your home region. They know exactly how to live their best local life and make the most of your local environment. Here's how they bring significant ecological and aesthetic benefits:
Naturally suited to your local climate and soil, native optionss thrive with minimal maintenance.
Dan Brubaker, the Director of Conservation and Outreach at Greenwich Land Trust notes that “planting a wide diversity of seed grown native plants can greatly improve the resilience of our local plant communities.”
I’ve struggled with growing anything in a shaded garden area with slightly acidic soil. Then, I tried sowing some PNW-native Self Heal seeds, which have established a thriving ground cover.
With their knack of boosting biodiversity, native species provide critical food and habitat for local pollinators and beneficial insects. Check out this project where researchers are studying how local plants may increase crop production in urban areas.
In my garden, wild-cloned Canadian Goldenrod supports pollinators from late summer into fall, while also aiding in pest control by attracting parasitic wasps and predatory beetles.
The Xerces Society highlights how diverse native selections promote natural predators like parasitoid wasps, reducing the need for chemical interventions.
A recent study found native perennial plants to be very effective for soil stabilization to prevent erosion. In my yard, Red Flowering Currant stabilizes soil on slopes while attracting pollinators in early spring.
Also, this study found that the soil microbiome was more robust and diverse when planted with wildflowers compared to a standard cover crop of sunn hemp.
Contrary to misconceptions, I think native flora offers stunning beauty. I like to grow flowers and herbs for bouquets, and there are so many local choices that make for lovely additions to flower arrangements.
For example, Blanket Flower (aka Gaillardia) and Puget Balsamroot can pair with local wild mint for a totally local PNW bouquet.
Whether you're east or west of the Rockies, here's how you can tailor your garden to local flora.
🔴 These are pretty general, please double check that these are actually local to your bioregion.
General United States:
East of the Rockies:
West of the Rockies:
Here are some considerations to keep in mind to successfully integrate local choices in your backyard.
Identify which plants that are well-suited to your region. Resources like the National Wildlife Federation's Native Plant Finder can help you discover selections that provide essential food and habitat for local wildlife.
Additionally, local extension services often provide detailed guides on growing species specific to your area.
With your list of endemic picks, do a little google searching for scholarly journals, ecological organizations, and university pages on these plants.
Do they have any special features? Are they cheerleaders, creating microclimates, or shields, protecting nearby crops from pests? Are they wingmen, attracting necessary pollinators to your veggies, or bean counters, offering nutrients to their crop companions?
One potential challenge is sourcing native starts or seeds, which may not be as readily available as more common varieties.
However, many local nurseries and online marketplaces specialize in native plants. Seek these out, and most likely the staff there will be happy to help you pick out a few additions to your garden.
Spend some time throughout the growing season hanging out with your new companions! Notice how they interact with your crops, the local ecosystem, and your soil.
Make notes, and continue to experiment. Appreciate the garden gains, and know that your backyard is grateful for some familiar friends.
As climate change continues to impact our natural environments, adapting our gardening practices becomes even more crucial. Predicting how these changes might influence selection and garden design can help gardeners stay ahead of the curve.
Climate Resilience: Native species are often more resilient to local climate variations, making them a wise choice for future-proofing gardens. They require fewer resources and less maintenance, which is increasingly important as water scarcity and extreme weather events become more common. The Environmental Protection Agency highlights that native choices support sustainable landscaping by minimizing water and chemical inputs.
Gardening for the Future: By incorporating native plants now, you can establish a garden that is not only beautiful and productive but also equipped to handle future environmental challenges. This forward-thinking approach positions you as a pioneer in climate-resilient gardening, encouraging others to follow suit.
Start by selecting one or two native companions to integrate into your garden, observing how they interact with existing plants. Document your experiences, and share them with fellow gardeners to contribute to a growing body of shared knowledge.
Native plants can help your backyard find ecological balance while increasing biodiversity and resilience. Start with just a few native companions, and you’ll soon see the transformation of your garden into a dynamic and sustainable environment.
Remember, every small effort helps in maintaining ecological balance and promoting biodiversity. Be a pioneer in your gardening community by championing the incorporation of native species.
