Native plants can enrich the soil, and their root systems help rainfall percolate into the soil, reducing erosion and runoff which in turn improves water quality and reduces flooding. Pesticides and fertilizers needed to maintain non-native species can run off into storm sewers, creeks and rivers. Native plants generally don't need these chemicals. The diversity of native plants includes interesting flowers and foliage. Native shrubs and trees provide a variety of heights, shapes, colors and textures in the landscape.
Many species can provide interesting winter scenes with their bark, seedpods and limb forms.