Native Plants

What Are Native Plants

"A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction. Native plants help the environment most when planted in places that match their growing requirements. They will thrive in the soils, moisture, and weather of your region. That means less supplemental watering, which can be wasteful, and pest problems that require toxic chemicals. Native plants also assist in managing rain water runoff and maintain healthy soil as their root systems are deep and keep soil from being compacted." (Source: The National Wildlife Federation)

Where Can I Find a List of Native Plants to the Glastonbury area?

The following resources were provided by Glastonbury Pollinator Pathways:

• 2023 CT Native Planting and Sustainable Landscaping Guide (UCONN)
• Pollinator-Friendly Plans Guide for the Northeast U.S.
• Pollinator-Pathway.org: https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/native-pollinator-plants
• National Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/native-plants/search?zipcode=06033&active_tab=full_results&attribute=&attribute_tier1=&resource=&resource_tier1=&bird_type=&bird_type_tier1=&page=1&page_tier1=1 
• National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants
• The Biota of North America Program: http://www.bonap.org/
• Recommended Sustainable Plants for Connecticut Schools

Pollinator Pathway

The Pollinator Pathway movement is a country-wide initiative to support the creation and establishment of habitats, environments, and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating insects. Pollinator-Pathways.org lists the following suggestions to create a Pollinator Pathway on your property¹:

• Plant Native, pollinator-friendly trees, shrubs, and perennials
• Provide a clean source of water
• Leave the clippings on the grass as fertilizer rather than adding chemicals
• Mow your lawn less frequently
• Avoid pesticides

Pollinator Pathway and Native Plants in Glastonbury

Glastonbury Pollinator Pathway has developed a map depicting native gardens located across the Glastonbury community. They are defining a "native garden" as one that is privately or publicly owned and features at least two native plants. The map is a fluid document that will continue to be updated as community members submit additional native gardens. Created using Google Maps, the map has small bee markers on each private/public native garden identified to date. 

View the Glastonbury Pollinator Pathway Map on Google Maps

Add your native garden to the map!

If you have a native garden, Glastonbury Pollinator Pathway (GPP) would love to add you to the map! Interested residents/property owners should please email their name and street address to glastonburypollinatorpathway@gmail.com. Please note, your name and street address will NOT be publicly shared. GPP will simply use your information to add a "bee" symbol in the approximate area of your native garden. 

To determine if your garden includes native plantings, please consult the 2023 CT Native Planting and Sustainable Landscaping Guide. Specifically, page 2 of the document features an index that can direct you to native annuals, perennials, grasses, trees, or shrubs.  

Local Resources and Related Links

• Glastonbury Pollinator Pathway
• Glastonbury Partners in Planting, Inc. (GPIP)
• Sustainable CT
• Local Invasive Insects
• CT Invasive Plant List

_{1. Source: https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/about}