The definition of Native Plants can vary quite a bit depending on who you ask, but the general idea is that they include those plants that were in Eastern North America pre-1492, and to give priority to those plants that help provide ecosystem services to our local habitats.
Native Plants Provide Food and Habitat for Our Native Fauna
As a keystone of our ecosystem, Native Plants are often the primary food source for our native caterpillars, which are the only source of food for songbirds and other animals all the way up the food chain
Native Plants Provide a Sense of Place
Native plants help offer you a sense of where you are in the world. Keeping your plant palette as native as possible helps you feel more connected to the local habitats and help provide a sense of grounding.