By Marianne Comfort, member of the Mercy Justice Team
Incorporating native plants into your landscaping is a healthy alternative to a sterile grass lawn or non-native vegetation. Native plants generally require less maintenance — including the use of pesticides, herbicides and water – since they are adapted to the local climate. They also provide a friendly habitat for local birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
You may learn more about native plants in a 1 ½-hour virtual program offered by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Three experts share why native plants are important to urban and rural areas alike; which plants support which types of wildlife; and how to develop and execute a planting plan. Most of the tips will be useful no matter where you live, while some will be specific to the East Coast.