HARDY NATIVE PLANTS FOR INDIANA
Life can get a little hectic. Some days we don’t feel like we can put in our all, so we let a couple things slide. Your garden should be able to withstand those days, and if you incorporate some of the hardier Midwestern plants, you won’t have to worry so much about keeping them fed and maintained. These plants can handle themselves.
WHY GO WITH NATIVE PLANTS?
There are plenty of hybrid plants that boast a level of hardiness. While they may be able to withstand some harsher conditions, they don’t have the centuries of history that native plants do.
Native plants are accustomed to the soil, rain, and changing climate conditions Indiana throws at them. They have a track record of growing without any human assistance, they don’t mind a little bit of drought-like weather, and they naturally attract pollinators like bees and birds. Keep in mind, native plants are responsible for perpetuating life in the region. So growing your own helps nurture the local habitat.
All you have to do is give your native plants plenty of sun and the occasional watering and they will outlast anything else you’re growing in your garden.
Here are some of our favourite low-maintenance native plants you can incorporate in your garden:
Blanket Flower
If you’re looking for a pop of striking color, blanket flowers are a perfect native variety that provide some romantic blends to your garden.
Coneflower
Blooming in blushing warm pinks, oranges, and purples, coneflowers feature giant seeds that draw in birds and butterflies—they’re a real crowd pleaser. A few lovely varieties include white snow cone, pink Kim’s knee high, and yellow Goldsturm.
Daisy
If you like daisies a lot, you’re in luck, because they can grow like weeds. They’re very hardy white flowers that, if you do end up planting them in your garden, you’ll need to keep in check rather than convince them to live. They’re a popular choice as they bloom beautifully and butterflies are huge fans of them.
Black-Eyed Susan
With vibrant yellow petals and a deep, black center, this variety is a common choice for a colorful native flower. They require some deadheading, but they’re hardy and they bloom all summer.
Milkweed
Milkweed is also known as Butterfly Weed, and for good reason. It’s nectar is a natural food source for monarch butterflies, but it also draws in other ladybugs and bees. Surprisingly, deer and rodents aren’t too into this plant, so you don’t have to worry about drawing any unwanted wildlife into your yard.
Yarrow
Yarrow is similar to milkweed as it attracts butterflies without drawing the attention of any uninvited deer. It’s a native variety that is pretty comfortable being left to its own devices. Yarrow come in just about every color, it loves sunlight and heat, and it’s pretty tolerable of drought-like conditions. Because it’s root systems don’t need much water, it actually welcomes a little bit of neglect. We like Oertel’s Rose and Sunny Seduction.
Violet
Violets are some of the most stunning flowers you can incorporate in your garden. Some varieties feature beautiful patterns and purples, and can feature white or yellow centers.
Get to planting some native plants, spend less time working on your garden, and more time enjoying it—maybe with a glass of lemonade. In the end, you get long lasting, beautiful plants with only a little bit of effort on your part!