What are natives? Native plants are the plants that were growing here in the Intermountain West long before European settlers arrived on the scene. Over thousands of years, they have adapted to the climatic extremes and varied conditions of the region. They are the plants that are at home here. The wealth of diversity found in the native flora is endless. Natives have delightful fragrances, unusual foliage, and interesting growth forms as well as respond to minimal care with an abundance of beautiful flowers. Why use natives? Utah is the second most arid state in the nation, yet we consume more water per capita than any other state. Developing new sources of water is expensive for taxpayers and disastrous to watersheds and wildlife habitats. It is more cost effective and responsible to change the way we use water. We can greatly reduce the amount of water used in landscapes by following simple steps in designing and maintaining our landscape. Why do natives work? Utah environments range widely, from the hot desert in the extreme southern portion of the state to alpine tundra of the high mountain ranges. The corresponding diversity in plant material means Utah gardeners can …
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