It snowed again last week and it was beautiful. The snowfall seems to create a hush, like an outdoor insulation.

 

The tree in this photo is a Redbud, also a native. Planting natives saves the gardener time and money. Natives grow stronger quicker because they feel at home in the soil and the climate.  The gardener does not have to nurse it for years to get it to grow  or keep it alive.  Within a couple of years, maximum, the roots have grown strong enough so that you no longer need to water or feed it.  Here’s a photo of the Redbud in a glorious Spring bloom.
 

Ah Spring. I can almost smell it.

I encourage you to take the time to do a little research on native plants in your neck of the woods. Whether it’s bushes, trees or flowers that you want to add to your yard this year, it’s worth a little of your time now, in order to save money and time later. You can use your state’s flagship university extension program’s website to find the trees, bushes or flowers for your yard.  Canada has extension programs as well. Here in Illinois it is through University of Illinois at extension.illinois.edu.  You can also send me your questions through the comment section for a little extra help or a referral to the extension program near you.