If you are planning a vegetable garden, flower garden, or just some yard improvements, it is important to consider native plants. Native plants, or with vegetables, varieties best for your area, are more suited to your natural climate.

I planted several things last spring without even thinking about native plants too much. The one or two natives I did hit on grew well and are already popping up for this year. Several of the others limped along or died within weeks in the dry, Texas heat. This year I have looked for plenty of drought tolerant plants to keep my watering chore minimal.

Native plants also help keep birds, bees and other insects going strong because they have what they need as far as habitat and food. I am looking for bee and butterfly friendly, drought tolerant plants to add around my vegetable garden area so that I will have plenty of bees around to pollinate my vegetables as well.

Usually you can find a semi-local gardening book at the library or bookstore that will let you know what some native plant varieties are. You can also look online for ideas and ask other gardeners what grows well at their house. My personal plan includes lots of drought-tolerant, native perennials so my garden and landscaping will grown nicely with minimal involvement from me and without adding to my water bill.