"10 Native Plants That Will Change Your World" may sound like a bold claim, but when it comes to growing beautiful plants in your yard on Martha's Vineyard, beauty and ecological value do not have to be mutually exclusive. During Natural Neighbors site visits, I often hear that landscaping decisions are driven largely by the desire to attract summer renters. Time and again, homeowners tell me they feel pressure to maintain a certain look, such as a lush turfgrass lawn, hydrangeas lining the front walk, or other familiar ornamental plantings. They worry anything different might make their property less desirable to visitors.
Innkeepers, hotels, businesses, HOA’s and even real estate agents also feel the same pressure. In some cases, they even create the pressure. Homeowners have told me outright, that their real estate agent won’t list their property unless it meets the idyllic American standard of lawns and ornamentals. They feel held hostage by this standard and they are concerned about what it means for the environment.
That concern strikes a chord with me. People come to Martha’s Vineyard because it is unlike anywhere else. They come for the Island’s unique beauty, its rich natural landscapes, and the feeling of being part of a place with a strong sense of identity. Yet, in our efforts to meet the expectations of some visitors, we are increasingly transforming our properties into landscapes that could exist almost anywhere.
The same handful of non-native plants are sold and planted from coast to coast. I could show you photographs of homes in Ohio, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, and twenty more on Martha’s Vineyard, and in most cases you would be hard-pressed to tell them apart with only building architecture being the give-away. Little by little, the character that makes this Island special is disappearing right before our eyes, and along with it, the wildlife and ecological communities that help define our sense of place.
Our native trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers, and ground covers, along with the birds, bees, mammals, and fish that depend on them, form the ecological fabric of our island home. They are the reason the Island feels different from the mainland and distinct even from neighboring islands. We are home to globally unique natural communities and remarkable species, including the Cleft-leaved Hawthorn, an endemic tree found nowhere else on Earth!
This living landscape is what draws people here and keeps them returning year after year, even if many visitors cannot quite put their finger on why. We often credit the shops, restaurants, galleries, and events for the Island’s appeal, but those are simply the toppings on the Sundae of Life here. Our ecology is the deep dish of delicious ice cream that the rest of the sundae has been built upon.
I am honestly not here to give people rental advice, and I am probably being quite naive, but I believe there is an opportunity hiding in plain sight. If you create a landscape that celebrates biodiversity, supports pollinators, conserves water, and reflects the natural character of the Island, you will attract people who value those things. Ecologically minded visitors are looking for authentic experiences and places that align with their values.
Let’s take this a step further. By showcasing native plants and sustainable landscaping practices, homeowners can help inspire others to bring those ideas back to their own communities. In that way, a single yard can become part of a much larger movement. Martha’s Vineyard has the opportunity not only to demonstrate how people and nature can coexist, but to serve as a model for communities far beyond our shores.
If you have read this far, I graciously thank you for putting up with my rantings. Now, let’s talk about some plants that will change your world.
As I explained in my last blog 10 Plant NOT to Grow in Your Yard (linked) many of the plants commonly sold in nurseries are introduced from other parts of the world and, while their attractiveness is hard to dispute, they often provide little benefit to local wildlife, or worse, can spread beyond the boundaries of our yards and disrupt natural habitats.
Fortunately, our Island is home to an incredible diversity of native plants that have evolved alongside local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife for thousands of years. These plants offer colorful blooms, fragrant flowers, lush foliage, and seasonal interest that are easy to fall in love with, while helping to strengthen the ecosystems that make Martha’s Vineyard such a special place.
Here are ten outstanding native plants that deserve a place in your landscape, and ten common non-native alternatives that are best left off your planting list. Each plant name is linked to an outside resource, click on it to find out more about the highlighted species.
1) Starry false Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum)
Starry false Solomon's Seal. Photo credit - Prairie Moon Nursery
Starry false Solomon’s Seal is an elegant native woodland perennial that thrives in part-shade to shade. Its gracefully arching stems are lined with delicate green leaves and topped by starry clusters of small white flowers in spring, followed by attractive berries that provide food for birds. Unlike many aggressive groundcovers, it coexists naturally with other woodland plants and contributes to a healthy forest understory. Native bees and other pollinators visit its flowers, making it both beautiful and beneficial.
Do Not Plant: Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes, crowds out native woodland plants, and is highly toxic to people and pets.
2) Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
Wild strawberry lawn in Vineyard Haven. Photo credit - Rich Couse
Wild strawberry is one of the best native groundcovers for sunny to partially shaded landscapes. Its cheerful white flowers bloom in spring and develop into small, flavorful berries enjoyed by wildlife and people alike (they are smaller than garden variety, so I recommend eating them by the handful!). The plant spreads gently to form low mats that help suppress weeds without overwhelming other native plants, making it a great alternative to a turfgrass lawn. It also provides nectar and pollen for native bees and supports a variety of beneficial insects.
Do Not Plant: Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor) forms dense mats that escape gardens and suppress native woodland vegetation.
3) Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Wild Geranium, a.k.a Spotted Cranesbill. Photo credit - Judy Gallagher
Wild geranium is a charming native perennial that brightens woodland gardens with delicate lavender-pink flowers in late spring. It thrives in partial shade and creates attractive clumps that blend well with other native woodland species such as Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). The blooms provide an important nectar source for native bees, while the foliage remains attractive throughout much of the growing season. It is an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes and shaded garden beds.
Do Not Plant: Japanese Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) creates dense monocultures that crowd out native wildflowers and tree seedlings.
4)Turk’s Cap Lily (Lilium superbum)
Turk's Cap Lily, a.k.a. American Tiger Lily. Photo credit - Lily Rice
One of North America’s most spectacular native wildflowers, Turk’s Cap Lily produces tall stems adorned with striking orange flowers covered in maroon spots. Blooming in midsummer, it attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and a wide variety of pollinators. It thrives in moist meadows, woodland edges, and sunny settings, adding dramatic color and ecological value to the landscape.
Do Not Plant: Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) spreads aggressively through underground tubers and often escapes into natural habitats.
5) Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly milkweed. Photo credit - Rich Couse
My personal favorite, Butterfly milkweed is a vibrant native perennial known for its brilliant orange flower clusters that bloom throughout summer. It is one of the most important plants for pollinator conservation because it serves as both a nectar source and a host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Its drought tolerance and compact growth make it an excellent addition to sunny gardens, meadows, and pollinator plantings.
Do Not Plant: Non-native Sedums (Hylotelephium spp.) provide relatively little ecological value compared to native flowering perennials.
6) Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)
Steeplebush, a.k.a. Meadowsweet. Photo credit - Arieh Tal
Steeplebush is a beautiful native shrub that produces upright spikes of rosy-pink flowers throughout the summer. Found naturally in wet meadows and along pond edges, it adapts well to moist garden conditions. Its blooms attract numerous native pollinators, while its foliage supports caterpillars of several native moth and butterfly species. The shrub provides excellent structure and seasonal interest in both formal and naturalistic landscapes.
Do Not Plant: Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica) readily escapes cultivation and can dominate roadsides, wetlands, and forest edges.
7) Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana)
Virginia rose. Photo credit - birdgardens.ca
Virginia rose combines beauty, fragrance, and wildlife value in a hardy native shrub. Its pink flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators, while its bright red rose hips persist into winter and serve as an important food source for birds. It tolerates coastal conditions, making it particularly well-suited for Martha’s Vineyard landscapes. Unlike many non-native roses, it supports a wide range of native insects and wildlife.
Do Not Plant: Beach Rose (Rosa rugosa) spreads aggressively and can displace native coastal vegetation.
8) Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)
Sweet pepperbush, a.k.a. Summersweet, Clethra. Photo credit - Doug McGrady
I can (and do) use two words to describe Sweet pepperbush - Pollinator Powerhouse! Often just called “Clethra”, it is one of the finest native shrubs for pollinator gardens. In midsummer, it produces fragrant spikes of white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects in remarkable numbers. It thrives in both sun and shade and tolerates moist soils, making it versatile for many landscape settings.
Do Not Plant: Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) attracts adult butterflies but does not support their caterpillars and can spread aggressively into natural areas.
9) Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Swamp rose mallow. Photo credit - Wikipedia Commons, The Cosmonaut
Swamp rose mallow produces some of the largest and most spectacular flowers of any native perennial. Its enormous blooms, often measuring six to ten inches across, create a tropical appearance while supporting native pollinators. Naturally found in wetlands and coastal habitats, it thrives in sunny locations with adequate moisture. This stunning plant provides all the visual impact gardeners seek while contributing meaningfully to local ecosystems.
Do Not Plant: Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) readily self-seeds, provides limited ecological value, and can encourage populations of Japanese beetles.
10) Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Flowering Dogwood. Photo credit - Cynthia Cheney
Flowering dogwood is one of the most important native trees for wildlife. Its iconic spring blooms, brilliant fall color, and bright red berries provide year-round beauty. More importantly, it serves as a host plant for over one hundred species of native moths and butterflies, making it a true keystone species. The berries feed birds, while its layered branching structure offers nesting and shelter opportunities. For both beauty and ecological impact, few trees can match flowering dogwood. Unfortunately, native populations on the island have been heavily impacted by dogwood anthracnose, a fungal disease that severely affects the tree's health. Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is an excellent substitute.
Do Not Plant: Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) supports far fewer native insects and has begun naturalizing in parts of the eastern United States.
But Wait, There's More Native Plants!
The ten plants highlighted here are only the tiniest sample of the remarkable native species that belong in our landscapes. I didn’t even mention all the wonderful goldenrods, asters, and native meadow grasses such as Switchgrass and Little Bluestem that make wonderful additions to any pollinator garden! Check out our collaborative Plant Local MV site for more resources. Remember, whether you replace a single non-native plant or redesign your entire yard, your choices matter. The birdsong outside your window, the butterflies drifting through your pollinator patch, the fireflies glowing on summer evenings, and the health of the Island’s ponds, forests, and shorelines are all connected to the landscapes we create and what gives us our sense of place.
If you would like to learn how to make ecologically sound decisions for your landscape, and be on the forefront of the ecological vacation rental movement, list your home on Ecobnb linked HERE and visit our website by clicking HERE, and we will help get you started on your journey! We will share our knowledge and resources at no cost to you and find many other ways for you to support all the biodiversity in your yard.
