Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia
There are so many good reasons to grow native and banish invasive plants. Invasives dominate and eventually change the habitat, impacting and even destroying existing plants and the animals that depend on them. A once thriving diverse natural community of plants, animals and insects can be reduced to a stretch of a single invasive species. In the U.S., millions of dollars are spent annually to combat the effects of invasive plants.
Fortunately, using native plants when planting and gardening is a growing trend among developers and landscapers. Nursery owners are stocking up on native plants to meet the demand by homeowners.
By growing native plants, you can create a backyard haven for birds. The National Wildlife Federation estimates that plants and trees native to Virginia support our birds and wildlife up to 50 times more than non-native plants.
When selecting an assortment of native plants and trees, remember that the more varied the plantings, the more varied the wildlife they will support. This includes providing birds with shelter from predators and weather and for their nesting sites. Wildlife prefers a mixture of plantings of various heights.
Trees and shrubs are most valuable to birds because their thick cover provides the best protection. Plants with thorns, such as hawthorns and roses are good, as are needle- and broad-leaved trees and shrubs. These excellent websites will help you identify invasive plants and suggest native alternatives: