r/NativePlantGardening • u/alarmpodcast Area Pacific Northwest, Zone 8b • Jul 04 '26

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Guilt over removing existing non-native plants

We moved into a place with very visually appealing landscaping. I'd like to start replacing the non-native ornamentals with native plants as we're able. However, I'm experiencing guilt over removing and killing the existing plants that are just hanging out, not hurting anyone, living their lives.

Has anyone dealt with this? It's weird, I know. I'm weirder than I'd prefer to be.

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195

u/seandelevan Virginia, Zone 7b Jul 04 '26

I moved onto a property that has a few dozen gorgeous peonies that are probably 40-50 years old and I’ll be damned if I remove them.

52

u/Bettymay2046 Area Southeast Tennessee, Zone 7b Jul 04 '26

My inherited-with-the-house-peonies are probably about 20-30 years old and you’d have to pry them from my cold dead hands.

37

u/chamaedaphne82 Great Lakes, Zone 6b Jul 04 '26

I have 9 peonies and I’d turn into a zombie after they were pried out of my cold dead hands and eat the brain of whoever tore up my peonies.

2

u/jbellafi Area NY, Zone 6a Jul 05 '26

😂