Native Plants & Trees

Attractive, Resilient, Beneficial Plants for Your Garden

Native plants are incredibly beneficial and beautiful. They provide food and shelter for wildlife. They grow deep, strong roots that are excellent at capturing and filtering stormwater. They are very adaptable and resilient once established. Many native pollinators rely on very specific native plants in order to survive and thrive - such as the monarch butterfly who needs milkweed to lay eggs and feed caterpillars. Many of the following websites have resources on native plants and "gardening for wildlife."

Why should we plant native plants?

Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy: Learn from one of the leading native plant experts, Dr. Doug Tallamy, on why we should plant native plants.

Native Plant Lists

Franklin Soil & Water's Native, YES List: Franklin Soil & Water has a short (not comprehensive) list of native plant suggestions that we commonly see for sale in local nurseries. It is not comprehensive and just gets you started with commonly available native plants. Any of these plants lists on the Native, YES List will automatically be approved for a rebate.

Audubon Native Plant Database: Use Audubon's Native Plant Database to find a more comprehensive list of plants native to our region. Put in your zip code, filter by various parameters, and you will get a great list of local native plants and see what kind of pollinators and birds they attract. This is a great search tool especially if you're looking for plants to attract a specific pollinator or favorite bird.

PlantNative: PlantNative's list includes Ohio native trees, shrubs, perennials, and ferns, their sun and soil conditions, size, and a brief description.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a search and filter tool that you can use to find Ohio native plants based on your yard's conditions, desired sizes, colors, bloom times, and more.

OSU Plant By Numbers: Check out OSU Extension's Plant By Numbers guides for nativ plant suggestions that are very beneficial for bumblebees, specialist bees, butterflies and moths, hummingbirds and songbirds, and good garden bugs.

Native Alternatives for Invasive Plants

New York Botanical Garden's Mistaken Identify Guide: New York Botanical Garden has an excellent "Mistaken Identity" guide on native look-a-likes for invasive plants for the mid-atlantic region though many of these species still apply in Ohio.

Milkweed and Monarchs

Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative: OPHI is a nonprofit working to create and improve Ohio pollinator habitat. Soil and water districts participation in their annual fall milkweed seed pod collection drive. Franklin Soil & Water is a dropoff site. Find a dropoff location near you. Please review their pod collection instructions BEFORE you try to collect!

Take Action for Native Plants

Plant Your Trees Right: You have found your next native tree. Let's make sure you plant it right so it has the best chance of survival. Check out these tips from Franklin Soil and Water on how to correctly plant trees. No mulch volcanoes, please!

Midwest Native Plant Society: They have a pledge and sign program where you can take a pledge and purchase a native plant sign to display and educate your neighbors about your native plant gardening.

Wild Ones: Wild Ones has a local Columbus, Ohio chapter. Check them out for local native plant sales and events.

Audubon Native Plant Backyard Challenge: Check out this educational program from Grange Insurance Audubon Center. For a small fee, you can learn more about native plants, attend their events and programs, and receive giveaways. Look for 2024 registration in early 2024.

Street Tree Programs: Many local municipalities have street tree programs and urban forestry staff. Click the link to find out information about your local street tree program.

For plant rebate requirements, please visit the Eligible Rebate Items page.

Native Plants & Trees

Attractive, Resilient, Beneficial Plants for Your Garden

Why should we plant native plants?

Native Plant Lists

Native Alternatives for Invasive Plants

Milkweed and Monarchs

Take Action for Native Plants

Related Documents

Community Backyards

Franklin Soil and Water

Want more water quality and backyard conservation tips? Read the latest Backyard Conversation Email Newsletter from Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District.