Her sentiments were echoed by Pat Adams of Stoneham, Massachusetts. Locally native plant species have adapted over thousands of years to their particular region and are genetically suited to their location. They thrive in local soils and under the rainfall patterns and temperatures of their place. Native grass species, unlike exotic turf grass varieties, may better use the moisture content of the soils to which they have adapted. Their root systems, unlike the shallow root mat of traditional lawn grasses, extend deeper into the soil.
Native plants have other ways of dealing with drought, including trapping and collecting dew.
In addition to their water conservation benefits, locally native plants are more wildlife-friendly, providing the best overall food sources for backyard birds and other animals. Trees, shrubs, ground covers, prairie or meadow patches are much better environmental choices than lawn or other non-native plant species. People think of deserts as desolate, sandy, dry places, yet the natural desert regions of North America contain a far richer diversity of plants and animals than do most urban and suburban yards. As we've paved over natural landscapes and expanded the acres of lawn grass, the urban desert has evolved, incapable of sustaining life. By making a home for wildlife in their backyard, people can make a valuable contribution to protecting Mother Nature's gifts.