A native garden contains plants which have been growing in Iowa for thousands of years, meaning they are best suited to Iowa's conditions and wildlife. Native plants are necessary to support Iowa's native insects, which form the backbone of Iowan ecosystems. Birds rely on the insects, especially caterpillars, who eat native plants. Without these plants, the entire food chain can not exist! Additionally, native plantings provide support for pollinators, which are necessary to the growth of crops humans rely on for food.

This garden contains butterfly milkweed, purple conflower, asters, black-eyed susans, golden alexanders, lanceleaf coreopsis, and columbine. Each of these plants supports several specialized insects species, who can only eat these specific plants. A wide variety of plants is necessary to make sure every species has access to a plant it can safely eat.