There are many reasons to use native plants. First and foremost a plant with a local ecotype is ideally suited and adapted to local growing conditions. These local ecotypes support insect biodiversity that food webs and ecosystems depend on. Our favorite speaker on this topic is Dr. Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware.

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At Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs we start our plants from seed we collect locally. Most of the seeds are collected in the Des Moines River Valley. We also collect seeds in the Driftless region of NE Iowa as well as the Loess Hills of NW Iowa. Please ask us about your local ecotypes!