Mississippi Celebrates Native Plant Month: Promoting Biodiversity and Conservation

This month, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will celebrate a growing national movement—Native Plant Month, an initiative to raise awareness about why native plants matter to our state. It all started in 2023 when Mississippi legislators passed a bill designating April as Mississippi Native Plant Month.

By designating April as native plant month, botanists, conservationists, and environmental advocates hope to encourage residents to learn more about native plants and how they often impact the state.

Mississippi has over 2,700 native plants, such as the native honeysuckles vines and black cherry trees. Native plants play a huge role in improving soil quality and wildlife and enhancing water quality. Because native plants have adapted to Mississippi’s climate, soil, and wildlife, they are essential for maintaining ecological balance.

They provide food and shelter for pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds while requiring less water and maintenance than non-native plants. Let’s get into more detail on how native plants are important and beneficial to our state.

Supporting Pollinators and Wildlife

One of the benefits of native plants is their ability to support local pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Native trees, shrubs, and flowers have adapted to the Mississippi climate and provide nectar, berries, nuts, seeds, and fruits that sustain local birds, small mammals, and other species.

Another benefit is habitat protection. Grass, shrubs, and trees create nesting, breeding, and hiding spots for birds, amphibians, and small animals. Native plants also help restore disrupted habitats affected by urbanization and invasive species.

Unlike non-native plants, which may not provide the proper nutrients for local species, native plants have evolved alongside Mississippi’s wildlife, creating a more resilient and balanced ecosystem.

Reducing Water Usage and Improving Soil Health

Native plants are naturally adapted to Mississippi’s climate and soil conditions, meaning they require less water and fewer fertilizers than non-native plants. Many native plants have extensive deep root systems that absorb and retain water, reducing the need for irrigation. They also stabilize soil to prevent erosion, especially on slopes and near water bodies.

When it comes to soil health, native plant roots create natural pathways in the soil, improving soil quality and water infiltration. Certain Mississippi native plants – like clovers – help fix nitrogen in the soil, naturally fertilizing and enriching it.

Preventing Erosion and Protecting Waterways

Erosion is an environmental concern in Mississippi, especially near rivers, lakes, and coastal regions. Planting native plants along rivers and wetlands creates natural buffers, reducing runoff.

The deep root systems of native plants act as natural anchors, holding soil in place and preventing it from washing into water sources. When native plants are used as landscapes, it slows water flow, allowing it to soak into the ground instead of rushing into streams and rivers.

By using native plants in home gardens and landscapes, people can conserve water and reduce soil erosion around the home.

Encouraging Native Plant Conservation

Despite their benefits, native plants face threats from habitat destruction, urbanization, and invasive species. Conservation efforts, such as native plant gardens, educational programs, and policy initiatives, are essential to preserving Mississippi’s natural flora.

To support native plant conservation, use native plants in home gardens, public spaces, and restoration projects. Help protect natural habitats by supporting conservation easements to protect plant communities. If you are a botanist, conservationist, or environmental advocate, organize workshops, nature walks, and presentations about the benefits of native plant.

Join local conservation groups working to restore native plants. Organizations like the Mississippi Native Plant Society and the Garden Club of Jackson advocate for planting native plants in home gardens, public parks, and commercial landscapes. Local nurseries and environmental groups are also working to make native plants more accessible to residents interested in sustaining gardening.

Native Plants

A number of plants are native to Mississippi. A few examples include:

Perennial Full Sun:

• Aster
• Butterfly Weed
• Coreopsis
• Gaillardia
• Gaura
• Phlox
• Purple Coneflower
• Rudbeckia
• Sunflower
• Verbena
• Yarrow

Perennial Part Sun:

• Ageratum
• Blue Eyed Grass
• Columbine
• Louisiana Iris
• Penstemon
• Violets

Grasses:

• Inland Sea Oats
• Little Bluestem
• Muhly Grass
• Sedges
• Switch Grass

Shrubs:

• Arrowwood Viburnum
• Buttonbush
• Elderberry
• Native Azaleas
• Oakleaf Hydrangea
• Red Buckeye
• Sumac

Vines:

• Carolina Jessamine
• Crossvine
• Native Wisteria
• Native Honeysuckle
• Passionvine
• Virgin’s Bower Clematis
• Virginia Creeper

Trees:

• American Elm
• American Holly
• Bald Cypress
• Black Cherry
• Dogwood
• Eastern Red Cedar
• Hickory
• Locust
• Oaks
• Pecan
• Persimmon
• Redbud
• Sassafras
• Southern Magnolia
• Swamp Red Maple
• Sweet Bay Magnolia
• Sweet Gum
• Sycamore
• Tulip Poplar
• Walnut
• Willow
• Yaupon

Find Native Plants near You

Many native plants can be found at your local nurseries. Find a local nursery by visiting MDAC’s Directory of Mississippi Certified Nurseries and Nursery Dealers or GenuineMS.com.

Resources

Engage kids in learning about Mississippi’s rich natural heritage with these fun and educational printable coloring sheets. Perfect for young learners, these pages feature some of the state’s most fascinating native plants, offering an interactive way to explore the diverse flora that makes Mississippi unique.

Mississippi Native Plants – Sunflower Coloring Page

Mississippi Native Plants – Yarrow Coloring Page

Mississippi Native Plants – Native Azalea Coloring Page

Mississippi Native Plants – Violet Coloring Page

Mississippi Native Plants – Oak Tree Coloring Page

Mississippi Native Plants – Native Honeysuckle Coloring Page

Mississippi Native Plants – Native Wisteria Coloring Page

Keep up with the latest initiatives and programs from The Garden Club of Jackson as they work to promote and preserve Mississippi’s native plants. Stay connected for updates on events, educational resources, and community efforts that support the state’s natural beauty.  www.thegardenclubofjackson.com

For more information on incorporating native plants into your landscape, visit Mississippi State Extension Services at http://extension.msstate.edu/blog/seven-native-plants-for-pollinators

Stay up to date with Keep Mississippi Beautiful’s Wildflower Trails of Mississippi initiative, which aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the vital role of pollinators and native plants in our environment. Learn more about their efforts and how you can get involved by visiting https://mswildflowers.org/.