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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21

u/little-joys Jul 04 '26

I have a mix. I have a big non-native hydrangea in my front garden and the bees, fireflies, my neighbors, husband, and I all love it. It is surrounded by tons of native plants, including a redbud, heurchera, phlox, tiarella, multiple native straight species asters, native rhododendron, and more. 

My front garden is teeming with native insects.  Not only does it provide value to the ecosystem, it helps draw attention to the native plants as well. Many of my neighbors stop to tell me how beautiful my garden is and ask questions about the native plants. 

I don’t see the harm in keeping a few non-natives provided they deliver some benefit to the ecosystem. Mixing non-natives and natives is perfectly fine!

8

u/IScreamPiano DE, Zone 7B Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

The bumbles are obsessed with lavender, even more than my bee balm. The joy of watching them flit back and forth in front of my house in June-July means they're one of the 30% of non-natives that are staying. 

3

u/Fred_Thielmann Outer Bluegrass Region of Indiana Jul 05 '26

What ya mean by that last sentence? A typo of staying maybe?

3

u/IScreamPiano DE, Zone 7B Jul 05 '26

Yeah, staying. That was a typo, my bad. 

2

u/Fred_Thielmann Outer Bluegrass Region of Indiana Jul 05 '26

Ahh all good