Frequently Asked Questions about Native Montana Plants

1. What is a native plant?
2. Why garden with native plants?
3. A caution about native plants - be sure they are nursery propagated. Why?
4. What is an exotic plant?
5. Are wildflowers native plants?

What is a native plant?

Native plants are plant species that grow naturally in an area or specific region. Over geologic time they have evolved in a particular place due to climate, soils and other conditions specific to the area where they are growing. Montana native plants were here before Euro/American settlements and are indigenous to Montana.

Why garden with native plants?

Gardening with native plants helps you and your home feel connected to our rich Montana heritage and ties your property to a larger regional landscape.

As our valley grows in population the native plants are being squeezed out to make room for our homes, businesses and roads. By returning native plants to our yards and gardens we are helping to re-establish the plants that originally grew here. Native plants will also  provide a year-round haven for the native wildlife, birds, bees and butterflies who have evolved with and use these plants.

Once established many native plant species are long-live, produce more plants for you with their seeds and are largely maintenance free. Native plants are a natural choice for the water-wise landscape style of the future and they require no fertilizer. They are frost resistant and can be planted in the spring, summer or fall.

A caution about native plants.

The growing trend towards natural landscaping produces both delight and concern. Many native plants are slow growing or are difficult to propagate in a nursery. Many species take several years to reach saleable size. As the demand for native plants gains popularity unscrupulous or unaware people may dig native plants from the wild to sell, further threatening remaining plant populations as well as allowing space for invading weeds. Make sure the native plants you purchase are nursery-propagated and not wild-collected or dug.

Another caution: Some people have heard that native plants may be the “silver bullet” to their property woes – plant native plants and all your landscape problems will be solved. They’ve heard native plants can take care of themselves; the weeds will just go away, no more watering, or yard maintenance. Unfortunately there are no silver bullets.  If only this were so.  Native plants do (eventually) reduce the amount of watering and maintenance needed. They can fill in the spaces in your soil where weed seeds may blow in and establish. But it is a good idea to get rid of your weed problems BEFORE you plant anything, just like you would for any kind of planting. A bit of care and watering of your new natives for the first year or two will definitely reduce the care and watering needed in the long run.

What is an exotic plant?

As people from other continents moved to North America they carried with them plants from their homes. While many exotics are harmless some exotics brought about large-scale changes in the plants on our continent. Some exotics can out-compete our native plants replacing them with a plant species that often has no natural enemies to keep its population in check. Often wildlife, birds, bees, insects and even our domestic grazers such as cattle and sheep, can not use this new exotic plant. That can lead to the reduction of a food source for these all of these animals, thus a reduction in their population.   

Are wildflowers native plants?

“Wildflowers” can mean native plants but more often it can also mean any plant that grows “wild” without the help of people. It can also mean a plant that may be a native to another area but not native to Montana. If you purchase a commercial wildflower seed mix the seeds rarely are from Montana’s natives. Makers of these mixes want your garden to be successful; consequently the seeds in the mix may come from plants that germinate easily and quickly. These mixes produce beautiful results the first year with declining results the following year, often leaving your planted area with only a few aggressive exotic species. Some mixes have invasive weeds, such as baby’s breath, ox-eyed daisy or purple loosestrife, as their main ingredients. Be a good consumer read the list of ingredients on the back of the seed packet. If there is not list of ingredients be cautious about purchaing the packet of unknown seeds.