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
- DNR's Native Plant Recommendations for Landscaping
- Native plants for beginners
- Plants for birds
- Plant for monarchs
- Rain Gardens: A Guide for Homeowners and Landscapers
- Step-by-Step Native Landscaping Guide
- Wild Ones native garden designs
Buy native plants
Native Plant Sales
See the list below of plant sales occurring this spring/summer across the state. Check periodically for updates!
Native Landscaping Webinars
- 5 Steps to Planting a Pollinator Garden in Wisconsin
- 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 Menomonee River Area – See their monthly events calendar
- Wild Ones Native Plant webinars
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.
Ecosystem restoration
For broader-scale projects, please see the resources below to help with your project.
- Plant Species Composition of Wisconsin Prairies: An Aid to Selecting Species for Plantings and Restorations
- Prairie Primer
- Restoration contractors
- Tallgrass Restoration Handbook
- Xerces’ Pollinator Meadow Installation Guide and Checklist
Dig Deeper
Other great webpages and groups to help you with your native plant projects:
- DNR's Birding and bird conservation
- DNR's native pollinators
- DNR's Wildlife and Your Land Series
- Healthy Lakes & Rivers: Best practices for improving shoreland habitat and water quality
- The Field Museum’s Urban Monarch Conservation
- SOS Save Our Songbirds
- Wisconsin School Garden Initiative
- Wild Ones - Membership organization with chapters throughout Wisconsin, promotes landscaping with native plants
- Xerces' Pollinator Plants Great Lakes Guide