Ecological gardening / Native Plants

Native plants which evolved in a particular area provide more benefits to wildlife than non-native plants. Many insects and animals have specialized relationships with specific types of plants. Monarch butterflies' caterpillars eating only leaves from milkweed plants is one example out of thousands. By planting a diverse range of native plants, and using ecological gardening/landscaping practices, you can create Habitat in your own yard or urban environment.

Places to buy native plants

Blue Stem Natives (Norwell, MA)
Native Plant Trust (Framingham, MA)
Russell's Garden Center (Wayland, MA)
The Monarch Gardener (Ipswich, MA)
Lady Fern Farm (Central MA)
Wild Seed Project / Northeast Native Seeds (Maine)
City Natives (Mattapan, MA)

How do I add native plants to my garden?

Native Plants for the Small Yard: Easy, Beautiful Home Gardens that Support the Local Ecology (Ecological Landscaping Alliance)
Balcony gardens – Natives in pots for urbanites and people on the move (Wild Seed Project)
Attracting Pollinators to the Garden (Ohio State University Extension)
Recommendations for Pollinator Gardens (Friends of Bees)
Caterpillars, Butterflies and Bees - Keystone Plants and Soft Landings (Pollinator Pathway)
What to Plant (Blue Stem Natives)
Garden Design (Blue Stem Natives)
Native Garden Design for Boston (Wild Ones)
Break up your lawn using cardboard
How to build a toad home in your garden
Belmont native plant seed library at Belmont Public

Watch or listen online

Tools

Where can I see native plants in the wild?

Garden in the Woods - Native Plant Trust (Framingham, MA)
Nasami Farm - Native Plant Trust (Whately, MA)
Mass Audubon Sanctuaries (Throughout Massachusetts)

Local organizations

Ecological Landscaping Alliance (New England)
Friends of Bees: Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment (Watertown, MA)
Mystic Charles Pollinator Pathways Facebook Group
Grow Native Massachusetts is based in Waltham and has a plant sale in the spring, usually June. Their website is also full of information

National organizations

Homegrown National Park
National Wildlife Federation
Certified Wildlife Habitat
Pollinator Pathways - Public and private pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinating insects and birds. Even the smallest green spaces, like flower boxes and curb strips, can be part of a pathway.
Wild Ones

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Seeking a Volunteer Social Media Manager

June 3, 2026

Do you enjoy storytelling, community engagement, and helping good work reach more people? WCG is looking for a volunteer Social Media Manager to help share the energy and impact of our community with a wider audience. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys creating engaging posts, building community, and supporting local environmental and community initiatives.

People gathered outdoors around a table in a park, chatting near a path and leafless trees.

“Greening the streets” one planting strip at a time, part 1

May 30, 2026

by Marilyn Salvas and Melinda Dennis

Watertown Community Gardens Welcomes Friends of Bees!

May 19, 2026

by Pam Phillips As you may know, for the last several years, Friends of Bees, a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment (WCPJE) , have been meeting and collaborating with WCG’s Pollinator Pathways Committee. Together we have held the Life-Friendly Garden Tour, maintained public pollinator gardens, led pollinator walks, and more. Together we support Watertown's Mayor's Monarch Pledge . Together, we educate about and advocate for our native bees, Monarch butterflies and other pollinators. This year, Friends of Bees are making that togetherness official by merging with the Pollinator Pathways Committee. Twelve years ago, Watertown Citizens asked “What is happening to the bees?” and formed a new working group, Friends of Bees. Friends of Bees learned about the many challenges bees face, especially pesticides and habitat loss. Today, we welcome Friends of Bees to a new home with Watertown Community Gardens. The Life-Friendly Garden Tour, with its rich history of 28 chemical-free garden tours over nearly twenty years, will also be hosted by WCG. WCPJE has always served as an incubator for community groups. Over the years, many initiatives started and fostered under WCPJE later matured into independent organizations expanding the circle of like minded activists. Watertown Community Gardens was one such group. Friends of Bees thanks WCPJE for an abundance of enthusiasm and support as we branch off, while maintaining our role in the larger Watertown community. To stay in touch with Friends of Bees and the Life-Friendly Garden Tour please visit Watertown Community Gardens at our new website . When you sign up for the WCG newsletter , make sure to indicate your interest in pollinators and eco gardening. Details of the 2026 Life-Friendly Garden Tour will be shared in the WCG newsletter this summer. Keep buzzing!