Why Native Plants Work

Some plants can survive here. That doesn’t mean they belong here.

A lot of people ask this: what’s the difference between native and drought-tolerant?

Drought-tolerant plants can come from anywhere—things like Russian sage, lavender, or ornamental grasses. They’re adapted to need less water, so they can survive here.

But native plants—like penstemon, yarrow, serviceberry, or rabbitbrush—are from here. They’re adapted to our soil, our climate, and our seasons.

And even within Utah, it varies. A plant that grows in southern Utah might not work in Salt Lake. Elevation, soil, and moisture all matter.

So instead of asking “will this grow?”
ask: is it native to where I live?

If you do one thing: choose plants that are native to your specific area. Everything else gets easier from there.

→ If you want help choosing what fits your space, I’m happy to take a look.