Easy to Grow Native Plants for the Novice Gardener!

#nativeplants #pollinatorgarden #lowmaintenanceplants Today I am talking about some of my favorite low maintenance, easy to grow native plants that are perfect for the novice native plant gardener to give a try! Whether you're new to gardening or just want to add a few native plants to your garden, these easy to grow natives are great options.
www.bonap.org/ - Web site to check native range
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Brands I Love:
*Hoss Tools - shrsl.com/3o0gu
*Botanical Interests - shrsl.com/3o0ge
*High Mowing Organic Seeds - shrsl.com/3o0gg
*Farmers Defense - shrsl.com/3o0fz
*Bootstrap Farmer - shrsl.com/3o0ft
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My Favorite Gardening Related Products, Books and Tools:
Gardening Tools
*Hula Hoe - amzn.to/3tPVtW1
*Garden Bench and Kneeler - amzn.to/3uHCImV
*Garden Gloves - amzn.to/3iMRzHg
*Leaf Scoops - amzn.to/3uGV7Am
*Garden Stakes (I prefer 8' for teepees) - amzn.to/3NLU0bo
*Garden Tubs - amzn.to/3uKOLjt
*Half Moon Edger - amzn.to/3DsAOul
*Watering Can - amzn.to/3IUDBxq
Seed Starting
*Coconut Coir - amzn.to/3Dyihg0
*Coarse Vermiculite (small) - amzn.to/3uKOY6f
*Coarse Vermiculite (large) - amzn.to/35r4Lyl
*Perlite (small) - amzn.to/3IWveBs
*Perlite (large) - amzn.to/3IWveBs
*Chicken Grit - amzn.to/36Ga79u
*Black Paint Marker - amzn.to/3ITlAQf
Electric Tools
*Leaf Blower - amzn.to/3tTHPBn
*Leaf Mulcher - amzn.to/3uJPYri
*Replacement String for Leaf Mulcher - amzn.to/3LvqTHm
Misc for the Garden
*Garden arch trellis - amzn.to/3JYHS4v
*The Bug Bite Thing - amzn.to/3u3cJaF (Must get this one, not a knock-off)
*Deer Stopper Spray - amzn.to/3tVIemA
*Grow Bags (I use for vegetables) - amzn.to/3iS8GaE
*Compost Bin - amzn.to/3iOFfGe
*Solar Water Bubbler - amzn.to/3LxpErg
Tech
*Sony ZV-1 - amzn.to/35pAMa0
*GoPro Hero 9 - amzn.to/3Nyfbxn
*iPhone Gimbal - amzn.to/3tUE26K
*Canon 5D Mark iii (my big camera) - amzn.to/3iRN5z4
*Canon 100mm macro (for super close up flower images) - amzn.to/3qPqnMg
*Canon 100-400mm lens (for long distance wildlife images) - amzn.to/3iS90Gs
*Remote trigger for Canon - amzn.to/3IZKaPf
*Filmora video editing software
*Lightroom photography editing software
Books
*Bringing Home Nature by Doug Tallamy - amzn.to/3uEnb7v
*The Humane Gardener by Nancy Lawson - amzn.to/3qMFaHO
*Nature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy - amzn.to/3Ll7SY2
*Essential Native Trees and Shrubs for the Eastern United States - amzn.to/35r69Rz
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*The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden - amzn.to/3qPbnhC
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*Vegetables Love Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler - amzn.to/3tTOkUI
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*Floret Farm's Discovering Dahlias - amzn.to/3wSgfGD

[@hakdov6496]

easiest native groundcover - wild violets

[@threeriversforge1997]

If you're looking for a Native Echinacea for Virginia, consider hunting down the Echinacea laevigata. The Smooth Purple Coneflower is exceptionally rare and endangered, so if you can get seeds for the straight species from your dept of wildlife or equivalent, that's a great way to help rebuild the population. So far, I haven't been able to source any seeds, but I'm still hunting. Here in SC, there's work underway to propagate the E.laevigata, but it's in the early stages at the moment and seeds/plants aren't available commercially. Echniacea pallida is a slightly more common Purple Cone Flower that's native to Virginia. Less showy, but also a valuable plant to have. Sometimes, I think we get too fixated on the E.purpurea and forget all the other Echinacea out there, unintentionally helping their decline.

[@ninetypercentnative]

I forgot to mention this in my video, but if you are new to growing native plants also check out my video on what native plants are and why they are important, kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2KylKGNhK6qqZI

[@riturani1455]

Thankyou so much for telling the information 🎉🎉🎉😊😊❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@perennial-garden]

We're really big on native plants here in our garden, too (native to Denmark, of course). Thanks so much for sharing :)

[@untenableposition3057]

Great advice! It would be helpful to put out there up front that you're in Northern Virginia for people like me in the DMZ area

[@novader007]

Wish you did a show on Michigan. Keep up the good work

[@kathyschwable1298]

I love that you brought up native grasses!! They are work horses that we overlook very often. Another native grass that is amazing is Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis). Of course always check that it is native to your region. Thanks for a great, informative video!!

[@ninetypercentnative]

Absolutely, thank you!! I think I'll start digging into different growing conditions in the future. I love prairie dropseed! Thank you for mentioning that one. I am using it as an edger for my sunny/dry beds. My plants are still pretty small through. I grew them from seed. Talk soon!

[@gardenforbirds]

Been wanting to plant this one myself - I hear they smell like popcorn! 😲

[@amerwine]

I don’t know my variety of mountain mint, but indeed it is a workhorse of a plant. I have moved clumps all around the property. I started with 3 small plants and now have a huge patch going. It is also semi evergreen for me. Bonus is the scent!

[@awildapproach]

Question: when you say you move around clumps, are you dividing it or are you moving around self-sown seedlings that pop up? 🙂I'm hoping mine spreads like yours, and I'd like to divide some, if that's possible.

[@amerwine]

@@awildapproach yes I am dividing it. Just dig out a clump and plant the same depth. Oh you’ll have many to divide! Give it time.

[@awildapproach]

@@amerwine That's fantastic!! Thanks for getting back to me. :)

[@ninetypercentnative]

Morning Annette! I will literally carry around a sprig of the muticum species and just hold it up to my nose. I'm kinda obsessed with it!

[@ninetypercentnative]

You can also take cuttings and pop in a glass of water, let it grow some roots and then pop up and start new plants that way. You will see it also naturally layers itself when it flops in case you want to try and do that for new plants too! ;)

[@suzannekasten2331]

Michele keep making videos - they are GREAT!!!

[@kingkogs]

greatly appreciate the advice about bonap and the self spreading native plants. Perfect for the lazy gardener lol

[@Laurie_in_Maine]

Thank you for the website info re/non invasive Native plants. I went to the library and checked out "Wetland Planting Guide for Northeastern US" as my first step for learning about non-invasive Native Plants - specifically focused on boggy wetland and old growth back corners of our property. Now that we've built nature trails around the perimeter and explored areas that went untouched for the 40 years we've lived here I would like to introduce some of the native plants that might be have been found here - as if we were the luckiest caretakers ever. And do no (more) harm! Subtitle is "Plants for Wetland Creation, Restoration and Enhancement" ... seems like a worthy goal beyond the few acres we garden near the house & recycled window greenhouse we built a few years ago.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Morning! Your property sounds amazing! Please keep me updated on your progress!!! Is Golden Ragwort and option for your area? Speads so fast!

[@dankeener3307]

You’re right on about clustered mountain mint! Ours grows onto our wood chip path and is a great source for division and potting for sharing or introducing to another location. Thx for including this #1 pollinator attractor! Great job.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hi Dan! Thank you so much for your comment! I am obsessed with clustered mt mint!!!

[@susanpayne5592]

I have grown Spotted Bee Balm, Monarda punctata, from seeds quite easily. It is a member of the mint family and blooms in Zone 8b from July to September. It is a great pollinator magnet.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Thanks for sharing! I've always wanted to grow that one but hesitated because I don't have sandy soil. After I saw your note last night I thought there is one spot I might be able to try it in. It may not get sandy soil, but it will get sun and dry. Hhhmmm.....

[@susanpayne5592]

@@ninetypercentnative Try it! Spotted Bee Balm is pretty tough. It may spread more in richer soils.

[@swalker5619]

Greetings from Leamington, Ontario. This will help me when folks ask me how to get started. Just go watch 99% Native's video. And I didn't know about Bonap so that's a bonus for me. PS - the best flower was obviously your dog Violet!

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hello!! Yes, please!!!! Thank you so much! It makes me so happy to hear things like this!!! Re Violet, yes she is!!! Such a little love bug.

[@Jpatmeadowbrook]

Happy gardening from New Jersey, zone 7.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hi there! Thank you for stopping in from NJ. Same to you!

[@robsollars1981]

Great video with some nice plant selections! I like that you included native grasses as they are often overlooked. My only critique would be that the statements about nonnative exotics are not exactly accurate. A lot of nonnatives are very adaptable plants that need little to no care. Many of them are so adaptable that they escape cultivation and outcompete native plants.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hi Rob! Thanks for stopping in! In my videos, I often talk about non-native invasive plants escaping gardens and outcompeting native plants in our wild areas. I have been battling invasives in my woodland for years. I struggle with garlic mustard, vinca, japanese stiltgrass and english ivy. It is a tough battle for sure!!! My comment was geared toward garden maintenance and some non-native exotic ornamentals needing more inputs to survive making natives an easy choice...in multiples ways! ;) I see where that may not have been super clear. :)

[@robsollars1981]

@@ninetypercentnative No worries. I subscribed and look forward to seeing more in the future!

[@beatriceanderson9745]

Thanks for all the great native plant information. I love your enthusiasm!😊💖🌸🐝🙌🦋

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hi Beatrice! I missed this note. Thank you so much!!!!

[@suzannekasten2331]

Michele - YOU ROCK!!!

[@staceygianoplos6381]

Wonderful. Keep it simple.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Thank you!

[@sarahpoletto7502]

Thanks! I grow and love all of these plants too ❤.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Morning Sarah - They are really great! Thank you for stopping in!!! ;)

[@MA-zg2pz]

❤❤❤ I love this! Thanks for all this helpful info

[@awildapproach]

I was very excited to see this video, and I echo your suggestions. I hope my mountain mint spreads. I should have collected seeds from it, but I totally blanked! I'm so glad you mentioned bonap! I use it a lot! Comes in handy so much when verifying what's native to a specific area.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Oh it will!! You can count on that! Definitely try the muticum species (if it is native). You will LOVE it!!!

[@PowderhornWild]

I'm planting mountain mint for the first time this winter (virginianum). Hoping to have some to transplant in the spring. Thanks for mentioning bonap

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hi Jonathon - Get your camera ready to photograph all those pollinators you are going to see! ;)

[@judymiddleswart9350]

Thanks!!! Great info!!!

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hi Judy! You're welcome! Thank you for dropping me a note!

[@heidijasper5915]

Great plant selections! I am hoping to have some Mountain Mint sprout this spring. I've found Purple Coneflower does well with partial shade as long as it gets a bit of southern and lots of western exposure to the sun.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Morning Heidi! Hope you are doing well!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE mountain mint!!! Next season I am going to start collecting sprigs of the muticum and throwing in my bath. I had to start "hiding" my purple coneflower in my mountain mint to keep the deer off. Seems to be working ok. If you happened to notice one of my photos in the video shows that. ;)

[@Terri_Stauffer]

Oh I love my mountain mints, loaded with pollinators and wildlife don’t eat. Wild bergamot is a great native for me and show stopper. Everyone asks me about that plant. Just purchased some prairie drop seed for a hill area for erosion control and big blue stream to go by pond.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Morning Terri! I think I am going to try moving some of my dwarf winterberries and interplant with narrow leaf mountain mint to see if I can keep the deer off the winterberry shrubs.

[@Terri_Stauffer]

@@ninetypercentnative my deer actually gave a taste test to narrow leaf mountain mint but it didn’t pass the test. They liked the evening primrose much better. I just bought some starter winterberries male and female so far no deer browse, you never know what they will eat. A friend was throwing out hostas so I took them planted them in area where deer path is, purpose was to let them have some deer salad, but 1 month no takers they walk right by, so much for deer salad 😊.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

Hmm. I'm going to a Colorado adapted nursery soon. I'll see if they have mountain mint there. I'm seeing disagreement on maps of its native range as to whether that includes Colorado. Thank you.

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hi Melissa! I see Pycnanthemum Virginianum on Bonap but not on USDA (for CO). bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Pycnanthemum plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PYVI How about Mentha arvensis (Field Mint)? Same family, different genus. However, it is supposed to spread aggressively and best used in large areas with other aggressive native or to battle invasives. Not sure how its aggressiveness compares to the pycnanthemums.

[@DebbieBlackburn-xr5xc]

I have a question: Why should we NOT plant culinary mint? Thanks!

[@ninetypercentnative]

HI! You can of course plant culinary mint, but I highly recommend planting it in containers (not in the ground) because it is HIGHLY invasive. If you ever wanted to remove it that would be very difficult. I plant mint in containers every year. :)

[@TomTerrific]

There are lots of types of Rudbeckia - I prefer Goldsturm. Liatris are like candy to voles......

[@gardenforbirds]

We have an old barbed wire fenceline that's smothered in invasives :( Maybe some of the freely self-seeding creatures like rudbeckia could help retake the land there, after we take down that fence!

[@ninetypercentnative]

Uggh, I feel your pain. I was just outside pulling vinca, non-native persicaria and oriental bittersweet.....

[@practicalphilosophy9031]

what zones?

[@staceygianoplos6381]

Are you in East or west virginia?

[@ninetypercentnative]

Hi! I am in Virginia, specifically northern Virginia in the DC metro area.

[@aetropose5405]

Location is important to native plants Speak your location early for people who stumble across the vids.