I'm interested in native plants and want to search this database for them. How do I search native plants when there isn't a category for that?

"Native Plants' is a relative term. They are the plants native to a particular region. May I suggest you go into your profile (click down arrow by the little figure upper right corner of the page and then click profile) and add your zone/location so people seeing your posts automatically see this?

Probably the best way to find out what is native in your area is to scout what is being offered in any native plant local nurseries. The nearest one to me is an hour away, but they exist. Other nurseries will tend to offer plants that do well in your area, but that may or may not be native. If you're lucky enough to have a nursery with knowledgeable people, they can advise on the natives they are familiar with. Sadly, many nursery employees know little about native plants and IMO sometimes not much about plants at all!

I would also Google "Plants native to (fill in your state)" for other possible listings. That's pretty much how I've found the natives for Central TX. That way and just chatting on Texas garden forums. :)

You can also call your local County Extension Office and ask them for native plant suggestions or information, as well as ask questions about those natives you particularly like. They are very knowledgeable on native weeds and invasives that may beset you over time.

Once you learn the name of the native you're interested in, you can call them up by name in the database here on the site for more photos and information on them.

Good ideas, it takes a bit of research. You can also create a category 'Native' in your personal plant list so you can see all the natives you currently have (or want). The nice thing about your personal list is you can customize it however you like, and can also cross-reference the same plant as many ways as you like. I categorize mine by type of plant and by various characteristics (aromatic, native, invasive, edible, etc.).

Another good resource is your state's native plant society.

Ex: When searching online:

(Your state) Native Plant Society

....and see what populates.

I know from personal experience that only a small percentage of the local native species of plants in any particular region will be available commercially in the form of seeds, plants, etc. Joining up with a local chapter of a native plant organization will help more. There may not be a chapter in your county, however. There was none in my rural county, so I joined one in a nearby city. Try to find a strictly (or mostly) native plant nursery as close to your area as possible. Again, it may not be in your county and also it may not have mail order. Some of these places are operated on shoestring budgets by those who do it because of their love for native plants. Support them by buying from them. Collect seeds yourself where you can ethically do so and share with others when you can. I used to do more of this when I was younger. I'm 76 yo now and life is not at all easy now.

Peggy8b said: "Native Plants' is a relative term.

They are the plants native to a particular region.

May I suggest you go into your profile (click down arrow by the little figure upper right corner of the page and then click profile) and add your zone/location so people seeing your posts automatically see this?

Ditto...

Until we have some idea of where in the world you are gardening... your question is pretty much unanswerable.

Unfortunately, the mail order catalog may call a plant "native" because it originates from the USA... But this doesn't mean that it will grow at your house...

While some plants will grow pretty much anywhere, other plants have pretty exacting requirements.

So... native can be a meaningless term... When seeking plants native to our area... the better term is "locally native".

I see this is an older post so I don't know if the OP is involved anymore but for others, you can also search a plant genus using bonap. Just search the genus followed by the word bonap. Click on that link, it is usually the first one. You will get a grid of maps that break the genus down into species, where it is growing, with a color key that tells you whether it is native or not.

Bonap, is fun!

I do like to go plant hunting with it!