Rather than planting single specimens throughout the garden, group three to five (or more) of the same species together. Pollinators are naturally attracted to larger concentrations of flowers, making these groupings easier to find and more efficient to forage. As a bonus, mass plantings often create a more cohesive and visually appealing garden design.

A successful native garden should gradually fill in and cover the ground with living plants rather than leaving large areas of exposed mulch. Dense plantings help suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and reduce long-term maintenance.

They also provide more shelter and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Follow recommended plant spacing guidelines, but when appropriate, consider planting toward the closer end of the recommended range to help your garden fill in more quickly.

When designing your garden, consider the mature height of each plant and arrange them in tiers. Place shorter plants near the front of beds and pathways, medium- height plants in the middle, and taller species toward the back—or in the center of island beds that can be viewed from all sides.

Many native plants grow taller than traditional ornamentals, so planning for their mature size will help create a garden that is both attractive and easy to enjoy throughout the season.

Many native plants thrive in ordinary garden soils and typically do not require fertilizer or extensive soil amendments. In fact, overly rich soil can sometimes encourage excessive growth or favor weeds over native species.

When planting, there is often no need to till or heavily disturb the entire bed. Excessive soil disturbance can bring dormant weed seeds to the surface, creating additional maintenance down the road. In most cases, simply dig a hole, loosen the surrounding soil, and plant.