The trend is occurring not only because of federal, state, and in some cases local regulations intended to protect fragile environments, but also because some homeowners are looking to reduce time-consuming maintenance on their properties and to diminish costly landscaping.

For several years municipalities and government agencies have been using native Long Island plants in their building projects, in parks and along public roadways. However, landscape designers say homeowners are just beginning to accept the concept of planning their gardens to include plants that, over hundreds of years, have adapted to the region's soil and atmosphere and thus require little or no maintenance.

Native plants sometimes flower, although they may not be as colorful as their nonnative counterparts. But they also do not require heavy fertilizing and watering. This is alluring to municipalities with limited budgets for plant maintenance and to those concerned with protecting the island's underground drinking water supply.

Also, for updates contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office, Suffolk county 631-727-7850 or suffolk@cornell.edu. 

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service