As native plants continue gaining popularity in residential, commercial, and municipal landscapes, many landscapers and property owners are encountering new terminology that can quickly become confusing.
While the plants may look similar, the ecological differences between natives, nativars, and cultivars can be significant. This can be especially true when pollinator support, biodiversity, and long-term ecosystem health are priorities. People could use additional clarity when it comes to natives vs. nativars, natives vs. cultivars, and nativars vs. cultivars.
Understanding these distinctions helps homeowners, landscape designers, and commercial property managers make more informed planting decisions based on their goals. Some may prioritize ecological restoration and wildlife habitat. Others may value predictable growth habits, compact size, or ornamental color. In many landscapes, the right solution may involve a thoughtful combination of all three.
As interest in sustainable landscaping grows, so does the demand for clarity around plant selection.
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Why Conversation Around Native Plants Is Growing
Native plants have become one of the fastest-growing segments of the horticulture industry. Consumer demand for native species continues to rise as homeowners and developers increasingly prioritize pollinator support, water conservation, and environmentally responsible landscaping practices.
In a Garden Center survey, 82 percent of respondents said that demand for native plants has increased over the past five years. Eighty-eight percent of respondents said that they received positive feedback from their customers about native species, according to the same survey.
This growing interest reflects broader concerns about habitat loss, declining pollinator populations, stormwater management, and climate resilience. More people are beginning to recognize that landscaping decisions influence far more than aesthetics alone.
Plants shape ecosystems.
They affect:
- Pollinator populations
- Bird habitat
- Soil health
- Water quality
- Carbon storage
- Biodiversity
- Local food webs
Because of their effectiveness and new popularity, the differences between natives, nativars, and cultivars matter more than many people realize.
What Are Native Plants?
Native plants are species that evolved naturally within a particular geographic region over thousands of years without direct human intervention. These plants developed alongside local soils, climate conditions, wildlife, insects, fungi, and pollinators, creating highly interconnected ecological relationships.
In Northern Illinois and the Lower Great Lakes, examples of native plants include:
- Purple coneflower
- Little bluestem
- Butterfly weed
- Prairie dropseed
- Wild bergamot
- New England aster
- Compass plant
- Joe-Pye weed
Because these plants evolved locally, native insects and wildlife recognize and depend on them. For example, many caterpillars can only feed on specific native plants. Native bees often rely on a certain species of native flowers for pollen and nectar timing. Birds depend on native insects supported by native vegetation. This is why straight native species generally provide the strongest ecological – interaction between the native animals and the plants that support them has evolved over long time scales. They evolved together.
Benefits of Native Plants
- Superior Pollinator Support: Native plants provide nectar, pollen, seeds, and habitat that local wildlife evolved to utilize efficiently.
- Better Adaptation to Local Conditions: Native plants often tolerate local weather extremes more effectively than non-native species, because they evolved locally.
- Reduced Water and Fertilizer Needs: Once established, many native species require less irrigation and fewer chemical inputs than conventional ornamental landscapes.
- Greater Biodiversity: Native plantings support more insects, birds, and beneficial organisms than most non-native landscapes.
- Deep Root Systems: Many prairie natives develop extensive root systems that improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and increase stormwater infiltration.
For restoration projects, pollinator habitats, naturalized landscapes, and ecological performance, straight native species remain the gold standard.
What Are Nativars?
The term nativars is short for native cultivars. They occupy the middle ground between straight native species and fully non-native cultivars. A nativar is a cultivated variety of a native plant that has been selected or bred by humans for specific characteristics.
These traits may include:
- Compact growth
- Shorter height
- Unique flower colors
- Stronger stems
- Earlier blooming
- Disease resistance
- Improved uniformity
For example, a naturally occurring native species may grow six feet tall in the wild, while a nativar version has been bred to remain compact for smaller residential landscapes.
Nativars are extremely common in the nursery industry because they often offer several distinct advantages:
- Predictable sizing
- Cleaner appearance
- Longer bloom periods
- Easier maintenance
- Better fit for formal landscapes
Some examples of nativars include:
- Compact purple coneflowers
- Dwarf Joe-Pye weed selections
- Variegated native grasses
Ecological Differences Between Natives and Nativars
Nativars still originate from native species, so they generally retain at least some ecological value. However, research suggests that certain modifications can reduce their usefulness to pollinators and wildlife depending on the trait being altered.
For example, double flowers may make nectar harder for pollinators to access and altered bloom timing may disrupt pollinator feeding cycles. Unusual leaf colors can affect insect recognition. Sterile varieties may produce less seed for birds and wildlife. These ecological effects do not mean that all nativars are harmful or ineffective.
In many cases, nativars still provide meaningful ecological benefits compared to non-native ornamental plants. Some research even suggests that certain nativars perform nearly as well as straight species for pollinator visitation. However, when maximum ecological function is the goal, straight native species typically outperform cultivated selections.
Advantages of Nativars
Despite the ecological debate, nativars offer several practical advantages that explain their popularity.
- Better Fit for Urban and Residential Landscapes: Some straight native species can become large, aggressive, or structurally loose in formal settings. Nativars often provide a more controlled appearance.
- Improved Predictability: Commercial and residential landscapes frequently require consistency in height, bloom timing, and spacing.
- Wider Consumer Appeal: Many homeowners transitioning into native gardening feel more comfortable with plants that maintain a tidier or more ornamental appearance.
- Easier Integration into Traditional Designs: Nativars can bridge the gap between ecological landscaping and conventional ornamental aesthetics.
For many landscapes, nativars provide a realistic compromise between ecological value and design practicality.
What Are Cultivars?
The term “cultivar” refers broadly to plants intentionally selected or bred by humans for desired traits. While nativars are technically cultivars of native plants, the term cultivars is commonly used to describe ornamental plants that are not native to the region.
These may include:
- Japanese maples
- Hybrid daylilies
- Knock Out roses
- Boxwoods
- Hydrangea hybrids
- Imported ornamental grasses
Many of these plants are highly attractive and widely used in ornamental landscaping. However, from an ecological perspective, non-native cultivars often provide limited support for local wildlife.
Cultivars are typically bred for characteristics such as:
- Flower color
- Bloom size
- Disease resistance
- Extended flowering
- Unique foliage
- Compact shape
- Market appeal
The Ecological Difference Between Natives and Cultivars
The biggest distinction between natives and cultivars lies in ecological compatibility. Native wildlife evolved alongside native plants over thousands of years. Non-native cultivars frequently lack the chemical, structural, or nutritional characteristics that native insects and animals require.
For example, many insects cannot feed on non-native leaves and some ornamental flowers provide little nectar or pollen. Sterile cultivars may offer no seed production and bloom timing may not align with native pollinator cycles. This creates landscapes that may appear visually attractive while functioning poorly as ecosystems.
That said, not all non-native cultivars are equally problematic. Some non-invasive ornamental species still provide nectar resources or seasonal beauty without becoming environmentally harmful. Others may offer valuable landscape performance in difficult conditions. The key distinction is that ornamental value does not automatically equal ecological value.
Nativars vs Cultivars
When comparing nativars vs cultivars, the difference comes down to native origin. Here’s a little more information on each.
Nativars:
- Originate from native species
- Retain some ecological relationships
- Usually provide moderate wildlife support
- Often balance aesthetics and ecological function
Non-Native Cultivars:
- Originate outside the local ecosystem
- May provide inconsistent wildlife value
- Are primarily selected for ornamental performance
- Typically prioritize appearance over ecological contribution
For homeowners and designers seeking both beauty and sustainability, nativars often represent a middle-ground solution.
When Is One Plant Type the Best?
The use of natives, nativars, or cultivars isn’t one size fits all. The best planting strategy depends on the goals of the landscape. There are situations where any of the three may be the most appropriate solution.
When Straight Natives Make the Most Sense
Straight native species are ideal for:
- Ecological restoration
- Pollinator gardens
- Prairie installations
- Naturalized landscapes
- Habitat corridors
- Conservation projects
- Large-scale stormwater systems
In these environments, maximizing biodiversity and ecosystem performance is usually the primary objective.
When Cultivars Still Have a Place
Non-native cultivars may still be useful when:
- Specific ornamental traits are required
- Challenging site conditions exist
- Historical garden styles are desired
- Seasonal visual impact is prioritized
The goal does not necessarily need to be ecological perfection. In many landscapes, increasing the percentage of native or near-native plants already represents meaningful progress.
Designing Landscapes with Ecological Function in Mind
One of the biggest shifts happening in the landscape industry is the recognition that landscapes can do more than simply look attractive.
Plants can actively contribute to:
- Stormwater management
- Pollinator recovery
- Carbon sequestration
- Heat reduction
- Soil stabilization
- Wildlife habitat
- Human wellness
As this understanding grows, more designers are moving beyond purely ornamental plant palettes and incorporating ecological performance into landscape planning. This does not require abandoning aesthetics.
The result is a landscape that remains visually appealing while contributing positively to the surrounding environment.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Landscape
When selecting between natives, nativars, and cultivars, it helps to understand the primary goal of the landscape. This could be:
- Pollinator support
- Formal appearance
- Low maintenance
- Habitat restoration
- Commercial curb appeal
There are several questions you can ask about the project to determine the best approach.
- How much space is available? Some straight native species become very large and may overwhelm smaller sites.
- How important is ecological performance?Projects focused on biodiversity should prioritize straight species whenever possible.
- What maintenance expectations exist?Certain native species may appear more naturalistic and require different maintenance approaches than traditional ornamental beds.
- What level of design formality is desired?Nativars often integrate more easily into highly structured landscapes.
There is rarely a one-size-fits-all answer. The best landscapes are usually those designed intentionally around both ecological goals and practical realities.
The Future of Sustainable Landscaping
The conversation surrounding natives vs nativars vs cultivars will likely continue evolving as research expands and consumer awareness grows. That said, landscaping is increasingly moving toward a more ecological future.
Property owners, municipalities, developers, and homeowners are recognizing that plants influence far more than visual appearance alone. They shape the health and resilience of local ecosystems.
Native plants provide the strongest ecological foundation. Nativars offer a practical compromise between ecological function and ornamental predictability. Non-native cultivars may serve decorative purposes, but often contribute less to local biodiversity.
Understanding these differences empowers gardeners and landscape professionals to make smarter, more intentional planting decisions.
Every landscape that incorporates more regionally appropriate plants helps support healthier ecosystems, stronger pollinator populations, and more sustainable outdoor environments for future generations.
Go With a Native Plant That You Can Trust
Native and nativar plants are at the foundation of creating ecologically friendly, functional, and aesthetically pleasing landscapes. Each have their place. The best solution for your next project depends on what your goals are.
Whether you are a developer, property owner, architect, or municipality, we have the plants and the passion to be able to help with your next commercial development project. We help our customers build beautiful and functional landscapes one plant at a time. Contact us today to help you with your next project.
