Native Plants
When William Penn settled Pennsylvania in the 1600s, lush plants and dense forests blanketed 90 percent of the state. Abundant wildlife inhabited the lands and waters. These plants and animals were natives, and defined the Pennsylvania landscape. Today, that landscape has changed dramatically, but many of the species that that existed in Penn’s times, are here today. Sadly, many are not.
Pennsylvania—or Penn’s Woods—is rapidly losing those native plants that characteristically help to define our state. Invasive species, poor planning, overdevelopment and other factors are contributing to their loss. But you can help reverse that trend.
Buying native plants to help with your landscaping projects, whether it’s a small backyard, large lot, or municipal park, can help Pennsylvania save the species that call Pennsylvania “home.”
We can help you identify plants that work best for you, and plan a project that will turn your landscape into a native paradise.
© 2007 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources