Why are native plants so hard to find in garden centers?
Native trees have always been available but native shrubs, vines and flowering herbaceous plants didn’t become available until the 1970s, when ecologists doing wetland restoration discovered them. Some biologists recognized the beauty and durability of these plants, and began growing them for use in urban and suburban landscapes. This industry has grown steadily as we all become more informed and concerned about environmental issues and sustainability. But the industry is young and the supply of plants remains limited. Much more research, experience, and education are needed to expand the successful cultivation and use of native plants.
