SUN JOURNAL • August 3, 2025
Plant sellers are reporting more people turning to native plants. “Native plans are best known for their support for wildlife and pollinators and their ability to withstand harsh winters, our hot, dry summers, and also wet seasons as well,” said Matt Bilodeau of Longfellow Greenhouses in Manchester. “They are plants best suited for our environment.” Andrew Tufts, program manager of Bringing Nature Home at Maine Audubon, said the organization has helped several cities, including South Portland and Bangor, as well as schools across the state incorporate native plants into their landscapes or as an educational opportunity for schools. Native plants provide food for native insects and animals that in return support a healthy ecosystem.