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Native Plants

Use native plants to beautify your property, lower your yard maintenance, and help the natural environment!

Native plants are those that historically and naturally occur in an area and tolerate the climate of the local environment. They also have important evolutionary relationships with the wildlife in that area. This page provides resources on planting with native plants in any type of landscape. Native plants have a multitude of environmental benefits including the following:

provide food, shelter, and nesting resources for pollinators, of which many species are in decline, as well as birds, small mammals, and a variety of wildlife species
have extensive root systems that absorb polluted stormwater, especially when used in rain gardens
have the ability to take in carbon dioxide and other air pollutants
have low maintenance requirements
do not need fertilizer since they are adapted to our local soils
should not need irrigation once established

2023 Native Plant Residential Rebate Program

In partnership with the Long Island Native Plant Initiative and the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District (NCSWCD) and with funding from the NCSWCD, the Town is offering up to $350 rebates to residents (1 per household) for installing native plants in their home landscape. To apply please read the Terms and Conditions document, which provides all details on the program, and complete the application below.

Terms and Conditions- Please read this document carefully before applying.

Application- use the Resource Documents below to prepare your application. Your application must be approved before purchasing plants.

Reimbursement Documents Checklist- lists documents that must be submitted when garden is complete and applicant is ready for reimbursement.

Resource Documents

Preparing, Designing and Maintaining Your Native Plant Garden - learn what is required to plant native plants in your yard including how to assess your planting site, choose the right plants in your design, and maintain them after planting

Native Plant List - a sortable list and description of appropriate native plant species from New York to plant in your landscape

Native and Invasive Plant Resources for Conservation, Restoration and Landscape Plantings - this resource created by the Long Island Native Plant Initiative contains information on native plants and various local nurseries to purchase them

Native Plants around the Town- describes the many native plant gardens the Town has created on its properties with photos of each garden and information on plant species. Get inspiration for your own garden!

Sample Basic Garden Designs- The following sample designs can be recreated, but you can also use a mix of shrubs, trees, grasses, and flowering plants together in one garden.

Full Sun Flowering Plants

Part-shade/shade Flowering Plants

Part-shade/Shade Shrubs

Full Sun Shrubs

Rain Gardens- This site provides information on how to prepare your site and install a rain garden: Rain Gardens a Design Guide by UConn

Native Plant and Rain Garden Workshop Recordings- these workshops provide great information on creating and maintaining native plant and rain gardens. For information on taking future workshops visit northhempsteadny.gov/workshops

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