Upper Merion Healthy Yards Program

The following qualities are considered components of a healthy yard. See how many you have and what qualities you could add to your yard to make it even healthier.

1. ​​Native trees
2. Native flowers
3. Native shrubs, ferns, moss, and/or grasses
4. Has native plants that bloom in all three seasons – spring, summer, and fall
5. Preserve natural spaces and reduce the amount of turf grass
6. Limit the use of toxic chemical, like pesticides and herbicides
7. Avoid purchasing plants treated with Neonicotinoids
8. Reduce stormwater runoff from your yard with rain barrels, rain gardens, or other methods
9. Remove invasive plants
10. Cut turf grass on the highest level
11. Use electrical gardening equipment
12. Leave my flower stalks in place over winter and don’t remove until spring
13. Keep leaves on the ground in the fall. Removal and mulching kills overwintering pollinators
14. Compost food and yard waste
15. Have a source of water for birds and insects
16. Have trees, shrubs, or birdhouses where birds can raise their young
17. Reduce light pollution to help birds, insects, and wildlife

• Air and water quality
• Stormwater management
• Biodiversity, supporting our wild pollinators, birds, amphibians, …
• Health of people and pets
• Dark skies benefit nocturnal insects and migrating birds
• Enjoyment of outdoor spaces
• Neighborhood aesthetics

What are Native Plants?

Native species are those that occur in the region in which they evolved. Plants evolve over geologic time in response to physical and biotic processes characteristic of a region: the climate, soils, timing of rainfall, drought, and frost; and interactions with the other species inhabiting the local community. Thus native plants possess certain traits that make them uniquely adapted to local conditions, providing a practical and ecologically valuable alternative for landscaping, conservation and restoration projects, and as livestock forage. In addition, native plants can match the finest cultivated plants in beauty, while often surpassing non-natives in ruggedness and resistance to drought, insects and disease.

What are Invasive Plants?

Invasive species has a specific definition: A non-native species that causes harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Invasive plants are harmful non-native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that are spread by global trade, human and animal transport, and gardening. They invade forests and prevent native plants from growing, which can have negative impacts on how ecosystems function, on native vegetation, and native wildlife.

Many invasive plants cannot be used by wildlife for food which puts grazing pressure on the few native plants that remain. Invasive plants also pose threats to agriculture due to their ability to spread quickly, out-compete crop and forest plants, and deteriorate soil quality. Once they have taken hold, the thick spread of invasive plants makes them costly and time-consuming to remove.

Some common examples in our township are burning bush, butterfly bush, bush honeysuckle, English ivy, Chinese wisteria, and bamboo. See here for a comprehensive list.

If you have invasive species in your yard, try your best to remove then and replace with a native alternative. See some native alternative options here.

• Nature’s Best Hope – Doug Tallamy
• Plant This Native – Not That

• Homegrown National Park
• Wild Ones of Southeastern PA
• Landscaping in PA with Native Plants
• Where to Buy Native Plants
• Native Garden Templates

• https://homegrownnationalpark.org/videos/