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Native plants offer natural beauty, use less water once established and provide important resources for local pollinators. However, growing a true native plant in a home landscape isn’t always as simple as it sounds.
That’s where North River Greenhouse'sNativars come in.
A nativar is a cultivated variety of a native plant. It has the familiar appearance and many of the benefits of its native relatives, but it has been selected or bred for characteristics that help it perform better in a home garden.
Depending on the variety, a nativar may offer:
In other words, nativars combine native-inspired beauty with some of the dependability everyday gardeners want.
The San Luis Valley can be a challenging place to garden. Our short growing season, cold nights, intense sunlight, wind and limited moisture can make it difficult for even experienced gardeners to get consistent results.
Although true native plants are naturally adapted to the region, they may have particular requirements that can be hard to recreate in a landscaped yard. A plant that thrives in an undisturbed natural setting may not respond the same way to amended soil, irrigation or the conditions around a home.
NRG Nativars have been chosen with the average SLV gardener in mind. They retain a natural look while offering the garden-friendly characteristics that make plants easier to establish, maintain and enjoy.
Choosing water-wise plants does not mean giving up beautiful flowers or a colorful landscape. Once established, many nativars can thrive with less supplemental water than traditional garden plants.
Their improved disease tolerance can also mean fewer problems and less intervention throughout the season. With the right plant in the right location, you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time enjoying your yard.
NRG’s nativar selection includes garden favorites such as:
These plants offer a variety of colors, textures and forms, making it easy to create a landscape that feels both polished and connected to the natural beauty of our region.
Many nativars continue to provide nectar, pollen or habitat for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Their familiar flower forms and long-lasting blooms can make them valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly home garden.
Pollinator value can vary from one cultivated variety to another, so plant selection matters. Nativars that retain the flower shape and characteristics of the original native species may be especially helpful to pollinators.
Nativars can be a practical part of a home pollinator garden, particularly when planted alongside true native species.
Nativars and true native plants do not have to be an either-or decision. A thoughtful landscape can include both.
NRG also offers true native options such as:
True natives can offer valuable support for local wildlife. Butterfly milkweed, for example, serves as a host plant for monarch caterpillars. Combining true natives with carefully selected nativars can create a landscape that is beautiful, practical and beneficial to pollinators.
The popular Pawnee Buttes western sand cherry is a low-growing cultivated selection of a native shrub, making it another great example of native character paired with landscape-friendly performance.
You don’t have to be a native plant expert to create a beautiful, water-wise garden that supports local pollinators. NRG Nativars make it easier to bring the look and benefits of native plants into an everyday home landscape—with varieties chosen to give San Luis Valley gardeners a better chance of success.
Stop by North River Greenhouse and let our team help you select nativars and true natives that fit your sunlight, space and watering needs. With the right plants and a little local guidance, you can grow a garden that works beautifully in the San Luis Valley.
