The joe gardener Show - Organic Gardening - Vegetable Gardening - Expert Garden Advice From Joe Lamp'l 462-Plant This, Not That: Native Swaps for Popular Plants and Trees
Mar 26, 2026
Elise Howard, gardener, editor, and author of Plant This, Not That, offers native plant swap ideas and easy steps to create pollinator-friendly, sustainable yards. She explains how she researched regional replacements, practical goals like 70% native biomass, and design principles such as layers and plant communities. She suggests native alternatives to common invasives like Bradford pear, butterfly bush, and English ivy.
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Volunteer Shift Sparked Native Plant Journey
- Elise Howard began gardening guided by her father and later volunteered in Riverside Park where she was asked to garden with native plants.
- Working next to the Forever Wild area and reading Doug Tallamy's books sparked her deep dive into native gardening.
Match Plants By Native Range Not Just Hardiness
- Native plant selection must consider where a plant is historically native, not just USDA zones.
- Use county-level nativity maps (BONAP) and Lady Bird Johnson resources to match swaps to local ecosystems.
Aim For Mostly Natives And Remove Invasives Gradually
- Don't feel forced to rip out everything; aim for mostly natives and eliminate invasives first.
- Target 70% native biomass (trees/shrubs count heavily) and remove invasives gradually—large properties will take years, not seasons.
