Native plants are plants that have historically grown naturally in an area. Native plants are perfectly adapted to thrive in our area – these species have developed here in harmony with our soils, climate, and fauna. In addition to thriving, they often require less water to maintain and attract desirable wildlife.
Whether you are looking for ideas for your application, or are simply wishing to establish a pretty garden in your backyard, explore the links on this page for guides and tips that are made for Connecticut!
Looking for a more 'green' green lawn? Explore the CT DEEP's grass recycling page. Have a heathy lawn...and a healthy environment for your family! more at DEEP>>
Home Composting
Home composting is an easy way to add some 'green' to your yard.
Composting:
keeps food scraps, yard trimmings and grass out of the waste stream,
Discover more 'green' gardening tips in these older - but still excellent - fact sheets from Long Island Sound Study. more>>
Non-Native Invasive Plant Lists
Plants that originate outside of our area are non-native plants. Many non-native plants are great and add showy foliage & flowers to our landscape, provide disease- and pest-resistent options, and provide diversity.
Some non-native plants, however, have undesirable characteristics, including invasiveness. Non-native invasive plants are able to outcompete our native plants. Not only do these plants NOT provide the habitat or food source resources that our native wildlife populations need to survive, they contribute to the loss of the native plants that do.
In Connecticut, it is now illegal to cultivate, transplant or sell certain non-native invasive plants, see the list and fines: CT Public Act 04-203
