If you thought native plant were boring, you are about to be proven wrong! There are hundreds of beautiful native plants that I absolutely adore. We have several species of native sunflowers, native swamp and beach hibiscus, and even native orchids. I'm also experimenting with an odd native perennial called "Jack in the Pulpit" that has pitcher-shaped flowers that attract flies and huge, glossy leaves.

Below are a list of my favorite native plants I'm growing. Reach out to me on social media to share your favorites!

Unlike high-maintenance exotic plants, native species are adapted to our local climate. That means less watering, fewer pests, and happier pollinators and wildlife. You'd think the plants that call our area home would be more common, but native plants are typically not "mass produced," which means they're less commonly sold at local garden centers and some gardeners have never seen these before!

1. Blueberries (Vaccinium) You might not think blueberries are native, but these plants produce abundant fruit and look great, too. They have beautiful flowers in the spring, fiery red foliage in autumn, and nice small green leaves during the warm months. It has a similar look to boxwood (but doesn't respond quite as well to pruning). The best part about blueberries is you don't need a big yard ... or a yard at all. Blueberries grow great in containers. Just make sure to protect it from birds.

2. Bee balm (Monarda didyma) Bee balm’s dramatic red flowers and long floral tubes are a magnet for hummingbirds. This native perennial adds color and movement to your garden, and it thrives with minimal care.

3. Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) Carolina allspice is technically not native to the tri-state area, but this native southeastern U.S. shrub thrives here, too!

The flowers on Carolina allspice are unlike anything else! The tropical looking blooms smell like the tropics, too. The fragrance is a blend of pineapple and coconut or strawberry. Even the leaves are fragrant. It's a huge plus because deer tend to steer clear of strongly scented plants. The flowers appear in May, but some varieties of Carolina allspice produce flowers throughout the summertime.

Yuccas have a reputation for being desert plants, but there are a few species that are native. I'm growing yucca gloriosa in my garden. I love these because they develop a trunk that really adds to the exotic look. I also like Yucca filamentosa "Color Guard," which stays small but has incredibly colorful leaves. Yucca are evergreen so they'll look flawless even during our cold and gray winters.

5. Tickseed (Coreopsis) Tickseed is a bright, cheerful wildflower that thrives in sun or partial shade. The daisy flowers do great in poor soil where very few things will grow.

Hopefully, this will inspire you to plant native flowers and plants. There are so many local resources to get you started and even opportunities to get native plants for free.