Nativars are Cultivars of Native Plants

On our farm, being in harmony with nature is important to us. This includes feeding the native pollinators. We plant many native plants as well as “Nativars” on our property. Sometimes these plants can even be used as cut flowers so it’s a win-win!

For example: look how gorgeous is this specialty Yarrow is.

This “Nativar” was cultivated for its special colors and beauty. The word “Nativar” was coined by the Horticulturalist Allan Armitage. It is a mix between the word native and cultivar. And as you’ve guessed it-Nativars are cultivars of native plants. They’re used to achieve better traits for the landscape. Whether it be to obtain a smaller size, longer stems, stronger stems, new or better flower colors, manageable growth patterns, disease resistance, or other qualities, Nativars offer gardeners and flower farmers like myself to retain the ecological benefits of native species while making them adaptable and accessible for a modern landscape.