Plant native plants to help nature

Native plants support the entire food web by providing food for insects, birds, bats, small mammals and other wildlife. This is particularly important now that scientists are documenting global declines in insect populations. Used in a rain garden, native plants help minimize flooding and filter out pollutants. The variety of colors, shapes and sizes adds beauty to any property. Get started with the resources below.

Planting basics

• Native plants for beginners
• Plant for monarchs
• Plants for birds
• Step-by-Step Native Landscaping Guide
• DNR's Native Plant Recommendations for Landscaping [PDF]
• Rain Gardens: A Guide for Homeowners and Landscapers
• Wild Ones native garden designs

Buy native plants

• Wisconsin Native Plant Nurseries
• Xerces’ Milkweed Seed Finder

Native Plant Sales

• Schlitz Audubon Nature Center native plant sale (Milwaukee) - Aug. 20, 9:00-1:00.
• River Revitalization Foundation native plant sale (Milwaukee) - Order Online from Aug. 21-Sept. 10 and pick up plants on Sept. 15.
• Wild Ones Green Bay Chapter native plant sale (Stone Silo Prairie Gardens in Ledgeview) - Aug. 26, 10:00-12:00.

Native Landscaping Webinars

• Wild Ones Menomonee River Area – See their monthly events calendar
• The Ohio State University's Tending Nature Series – This 6-session webinar series focused on the ecological roles of native plants and some of the creatures that depend on them.
• Wild Ones Native Plant webinars
• 5 Steps to Planting a Pollinator Garden in Wisconsin

Garden Tour Videos

Take a garden tour with DNR conservation biologist Amy Staffen as she showcases her native plants and provides a few tips and tricks for maximizing your yard for Wisconsin wildlife.

• Watch the spring garden tour (2019)
• Watch the summer garden tour (2018)

Ecosystem restoration

For broader-scale projects, please see the resources below to help with your project.

• Prairie Primer
• Plant Species Composition of Wisconsin Prairies: An Aid to Selecting Species for Plantings and Restorations
• Restoration contractors
• Xerces’ Pollinator Meadow Installation Guide and Checklist [exit DNR]
• Tallgrass Restoration Handbook

Dig Deeper

Interested in more help with creating habitats for animals? Try these other resources.

• Birding and bird conservation
• DNR's native pollinator page
• The Field Museum’s Urban Monarch Conservation [exit DNR]
• Xerces' Pollinator Plants Great Lakes Guide
• Wisconsin School Garden Initiative
• Wild Ones - Membership organization with chapters throughout Wisconsin, promotes landscaping with native plants.

Stay connected and sign-up to receive email updates

• Natural Heritage news and events
• Birding and bird conservation
• Native pollinators