Bloodroot, a native perennial wildflower, grows in moist woodlands throughout deciduous forests of the East and Midwest. A debate rages in the gardening world about the role of native plants. Purists say only American native plants are appropriate for our gardens and landscapes.
Many gardeners prefer natives because they are usually easy to grow and maintain.
Others criticize natives as looking weedy or unsophisticated. Members of some nursery organizations fear that emphasis on natives will make many of their more exotic plants less desirable or even unsalable. To address these complex issues, let's first define some terms. Botanically, native plants are defined as those growing and reproducing in a specific site, state, region, or country without introduction. American native plants are generally considered those that grew without cultivation at the time of European settlement.