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PA Sea Grant: Choose Native Guide Promotes Using Native Species In Landscaping & Water Gardening

On November 14, Pennsylvania Sea Grant announced the launch of a new resource, “Choose Native – Pennsylvania’s Guide to Using Native Species in Landscaping and Water Gardening.”

The 208-page guide serves as a portable resource to assist professional landscapers, homeowners, and garden enthusiasts in selecting native species over non-native, ornamental, or even invasive species for landscaping, gardens, and water gardens.

The guide is available in English and Spanish and is the result of a collaborative effort with Penn State Extension, with funding by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Great Lakes Commission.

Whether constructing a garden from scratch, converting an existing garden, or completely transforming an unwieldy non-native area into a native garden, choosing the right native species for the space is a critical step. Incorporating native species will benefit wildlife while also providing the visual appeal that every gardener desires.

The guide profiles non-native species commonly found at garden centers in Pennsylvania and nearby states.

For each non-native species, there are generally two native alternatives featured.

These native species are considered ‘top picks’ by the Choose Native team, meaning that they are the best native replacement in terms of size, color, performance, and other factors.

To help in choosing the right native species for the right space, each native species description includes details such as the growth height, soil and sun requirements, hardiness zones, and tolerances.

In some cases, the descriptions also include unfavorable or challenging aspects to consider, such as plant spread, or even the potential harm to humans or animals.

Click Here to download Choose Native – Pennsylvania’s Guide.

Click Here to download Elige lo nativo Guía de Pensilvania.

For more information on programs, initiatives, research, upcoming events and more, visit the PA Sea Grant website. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for the PA Sea Grant newsletter (bottom of the page).

Upcoming Events:

-- Penn State Master Gardeners Host Nov. 23 Workshop On Holiday Greens Creations - Bring Home The Cheer In Wayne County

-- North Branch Land Trust: Dec. 7 Forage For Your Own Native Wreath Hike/Craft Event In Luzerne County

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Announces $79.4 Million In Grants To Support 307 Recreation, Land Conservation, Tree Planting Projects Across Pennsylvania; Next Grant Round Opens Jan. 21 [PaEN]

-- DCNR Grants Update: Grant Application Workshops Available; Conservation Easement Assistance Grants; Other Funding Opportunities

-- WeConservePA: PA Voters Approved All 5 Local Referendums On The November Ballot Making $96 Million Available For Open Space Conservation [PaEN]

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets Nov. 20 To Discuss A Draft Environmental Justice Plan, Diversity Initiatives; 2023-24 Annual Report Released [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: Places That Honor Veterans And Preserve Our History

-- Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay: PA Riparian Forest Buffer Project Plants Its 1,000th Acre Of Forest Buffer! [PaEN]

-- Reps. Daley, Ortitay Highlight Findings In New Wildlife Conservation Corridor Report [PaEN]

-- PA Society For Ornithology: 2025 PA Breeding Bird Blitz For Conservation Seeking Sponsors [PaEN]