Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards

Chaos gardening — the viral TikTok trend of scattering seeds and “letting nature decide” — is surging across the country as demand for native plants reaches new heights.

Why it matters:Native chaos gardens appeal to New England homeowners seeking lower-maintenance yards that also help local wildlife thrive.

The big picture: “Native plants offer this easy solution to make positive change,” Sara Ressing, an education coordinator with Wild Ones, tells Axios.

  • Native species support wildlife, improve ecosystems and help address climate pressures — while “connecting us to a sense of place,” she says.
  • Chaos gardening complements that philosophy. “What better plants to grow in cracks than a plant that really, truly belongs?”

Catch up quick: Chaos gardening embraces a less structured approach: Scatter seeds, observe what survives and let local soil, sunlight and water determine the outcome…

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