For every publicized exotic thug, there are dozens that are just as destructive. Many who denounce exotic plants do so because of these invasive nonnatives. Among more than 350 recognized invasive exotic plants about half were deliberately introduced as ornamentals. Though it rarely occurs, native species may also become invasive. This depends on your perspective.
Native plants offer many benefits to our gardens besides the potential for lower maintenance.
To me, the most compelling reason to grow natives is that they are part of our natural heritage and the ecology of a region. The local native-plant community makes the Midwest visually distinct from the East or South. Our gardens are habitats, and each plant contributes to the overall health of that ecological niche. Plants provide food and cover for insects, which, in turn, are food for birds and mammals. The purist, natives-only approach has merit, especially in restoring a specific plant community, such as a wetland.