Page 61 - School Garden Development Guide - 4th Edition

Benefits of Native Plants
• Lower maintenance once fully established
• Require less water
• Work well with Florida’s water cycle (dry winters, wet summers)
• Many are drought tolerant
• Naturally resistant to native insects
• Require less fertilizer to thrive

Wildlife
If you are looking to attract birds and pollinators into your garden,
Natives are an excellent choice. Here’s why, Natives provide:
• Cover for wildlife
• Seeds, nuts, fruits and insects for birds and other wildlife
• Nectar for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies ultimately
contributing to successful harvests
• Butterflies with host plants for their larva

Greenscapes
If all the benefits mentioned so far haven’t convinced you to
“Go Native,” then please consider the benefits that Native plants
bring to the Earth. Natives:
• Extend natural areas
• Combat climate change – long living Native trees are
effective at storing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide
• Conserve water

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