Planting native species can benefit the environment by reducing water use, lessening the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and promote pollinators (like bees, butterflies, birds & bats). Generally speaking, native plants can result in lower, long-term maintenance costs, increased plant hardiness and less work for you. Which is a win for the environment and a win for you! You can think of native plants in 4 different categories which will be covered in 4 different parts: wildflowers (part 1), ferns (part 2), trees, shrubs, and vines (part 3), and, grasses, sedges, and rushes (part 4). From there you can break it down further like you would any other plant; light requirements (full sun, part sun, shade), moisture requirements (dry, average, wet), height of plant, and any other special notes (aggressive, attracts butterflies, groundcover, etc).