The beauty of native plants is that they are, by and large, low-maintenance. However, the important thing here is that we have to LET THEM BE low-maintenance. What do I mean by that? Well, the key to enjoying this benefit is to put the right native plant in the right place, and not mess with the conditions in which they evolved to thrive. Native plants do not require fertilizers (except in containers where they are cut off from ground nutrients), they do not require soil amendments, and they do not require frequent watering after they are established – usually within a growing season, anywhere from three to twelve months.
Take the Lobelia cardinalis, commonly known as Cardinal flower(pictured above), for example. This gorgeous plant grows near water at the edge of swamps, along streams and marshes. It loves full sun and moist to wet, rich soil. All I have in my yard is dry sand, and mostly a lot of shade. However, if I find a sunny spot somewhere, I might be tempted to get this plant. Conventional gardening practices would have me “dig a hole twice the size of the pot” and fill it with rich compost and/or other supplemental plant food or rich soil before I put it in the ground. I would then have to water it constantly while it establishes, so much so that I might have to consider adding irrigation. After some time, the roots would extend beyond the tiny space I filled with rich soil and start reaching into places where there will not be enough nutrients for this particular plant. So, I would have to add some fertilizer every so often… and, whoosh! My supposed “low-maintenance” plant has turned into a chore. I have overcomplicated things because instead of working with nature, I have tried to “control” nature. That’s just too much work.
Save yourself the headache: work with your landscape, not against it. It will make your life easier.
So, here are a few questions to ask yourself before you start making your native plant list:
- What type of soil do I have?
To get to know what kind of soil you have – and you might have different types in different areas of your yard – you can use one or all four of these free methods:
- Perform a soil ribbon test
- Perform a mason jar soil test
- Perform a soil drainage test, and/or
- Send your soil for free testing through Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
2. How much sunlight do I have?
Again, different areas in your yard probably get different amounts of sunlight, unless you don’t have any trees around, in which case… you know, get on that – plant an oak! Studying the sun is best done in the summer (around the summer solstice) because if you do it in the spring or fall, it will not give you an accurate idea and then your plants might roast on longer summer days or there might be shade cast by trees in other places that you didn’t see because the sunlight was coming from a slightly different angle. In general, daily sun requirements go like this:
- Full sun = 6+ hours (though they do not need to be continuous, just add up to that)
- Partial sun = 3-6 hours
- Partial shade = 2-4 hours
- Shade = <2 hours
Here’s a good guide for sun mapping.
3. What is the purpose of my garden?
Are you planting for pollinators? Bees? Butterflies? Are you planting for birds? Do you want to attract hummingbirds? Do you want to maximize ecological impact with keystone species? Erosion control? As a buffer to capture water runoff? Though many of our native plants will check off more than one of these boxes at once, these are some things to think about before you start making your list. This, coupled with your knowledge about soil composition and sunlight availability will determine which plants will fit, thus complying with the ultimate natural rule of native plant gardening: right plant, right place.
My personal approach focuses on keystone species, pollinator plants, and plants for birds (those that provide seeds and fruits). Naturally these plants offer many other benefits, and I view those as bonuses. The result? A thriving, self-sustaining habitat rich in ecological value.
Ok, once you have the answer to those three questions, we’re ready to dive in. If you need a quick refresher on native plant terminology first:
Click here for definitions of native, near-natives, aggressive, non-native, and invasive plants.
Click here for definitions of straight species vs. cultivars, ecoregion, and ecotype.
Click here for definitions of host plants, keystone species, and pollinator plants.
Here are the best sites to find the right plants for your Cape Cod habitat:
Cape Cod Native Plants by APCC (The Association to Preserve Cape Cod)
This site is user-friendly and straightforward. You can sort by plant type (annual, perennial, biennial, etc.), sunlight, soil moisture, bloom month, size (height), and nature benefits. Results update automatically based on your selections. Note that while some of the plants listed are near-natives or native to southern states, they are all chosen because they thrive in and provide high value to the Cape Cod landscape.
Native Plant Finder by Native Plant Trust
This site offers a broader scope by covering plants native to all of New England. However, you can narrow your search by ecoregion – remember, we are in Ecoregion 84 (Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens).
There are lots of filtering options! You can sort by plant type, flower color, height, and cultivation status (straight species vs. cultivar). You can also filter by:
- Growing Conditions: Sun exposure, soil moisture, and growth habit (e.g., how much it spreads).
- Aesthetic Appeal: Ornamental interest, fall foliage, and fruit color.
- Ecological Value: Wildlife attraction and specialized attributes like “edible” or “spring ephemeral.”
- Resilience: Tolerances for deer, rabbits, drought, and salt.
Similar to APCC’s Cape Cod Native Plants site, the results will probably include plants native to New England generally rather than Cape Cod specifically. If you’re a purist seeking only “true” Cape Cod natives, you can cross-reference these results with my Plant Profiles or use Go Botany, listed below.
Go Botany by Native Plant Trust
This site features an extensive database of New England plants and their native status. Simply type the common name or the scientific name (also known as the Latin or botanical name) into the search bar at the top right, then click on the plant name when it appears in the results.
For example, when I search for Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed), here is what appears. Take a look at the New England map on the right: if Barnstable County is shaded green, that indicates the plant is native to our area.
In the example below, I searched for Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle). Looking at the map, you’ll see that Barnstable County is shaded purple. This indicates that the plant has been introduced and is documented here, but it is not native to our area; if it were native, the county would be shaded green like in the Asclepias tuberosa example above.
Beyond its native status, each plant page details the physical characteristics, distribution, and conservation status of the species, along with its genus and family. Did you know that Fragaria virginiana (wild strawberry) is in the same family as Rosa Carolina (Carolina rose)? I learned that from this site!
Native Plant Finder by National Wildlife Federation
This site is specifically designed to help you find keystone plants for your region. Simply click “SET LOCATION” and enter your zip code to generate two lists: one for flowers and grasses, and another for trees and shrubs.
The results are ranked by their value as host plants for moth and butterfly caterpillars. Spoiler alert: Trees and shrubs are significantly more valuable than flowers and grasses. In our area, the most important genus is Quercus—the mighty oak. It serves as a host to a whopping 473 caterpillar species, including the White Furcula, the Clymene Moth, and the Banded Purple Red-spotted Admiral.
When you click on a genus card, you’ll often find a list of species native to your region on the right-hand side (as shown in the Solidago example below). However, if a specific list isn’t provided, you may need to do a little extra research to find the best fit for your yard. If you get stuck, feel free to contact me—I’m happy to help!
On this site, you can also register to save plant or insect species to your own lists – a perfect way to build a wish list or track the progress of your habitat. Another great feature is the ability to “reverse engineer” your plant selection by starting with the insect first. For example, by searching “Painted Lady,” I found a list of nine plant species that host this butterfly’s caterpillars in my area. I was happy to see I have two of the plants listed, Antennaria plantaginifolia (plantain-leaved pussytoes) and Anaphalis margaritacea (pearly everlasting).
This downloadable PDF provides a comprehensive list of plants that support pollinators and beneficial insects throughout New England. This compact guide includes essential data like scientific and common names, bloom times, and life cycles. What makes this list stand out is its specialized focus. It identifies whether a plant:
- Serves as a larval host for moths and butterflies and.
- Supports specialist bees or acts as a “bumblebee magnet.”
- Attracts beneficial insects (such as ladybugs for natural pest control).
- Provides nesting materials or sites for native pollinators.
- Offers deer resistance, to deter munching!
Lists and other tools by… me! 🙂
I’ve been busy compiling resources right here on this site—please take advantage of them!
On the Plant Profiles page, you’ll find species sorted by native status. Each profile covers essential growing and propagation info, wildlife benefits, and whether a plant is aggressive or resistant to rabbits, deer, drought, and salt.
Over on the Tools page, I’ve created two blooming calendars (also sorted by native status). These are perfect for identifying “blooming gaps” in your garden, ensuring you have a steady supply of pollen and nectar for pollinators throughout the season.
I hope these beautiful early spring days are inspiring you to connect with nature. Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll share the best places to source native plants on (or near) the Cape.
Happy native plant gardening… or planning!
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