Best Native Plants for Lehigh Valley Landscapes in 2026

When homeowners in the Lehigh Valley want a low-maintenance landscape, the assumption is often that it means ripping everything out and replacing it with river rock. There is a much better path: planting native species.

Since 2015, Sombra's has served properties across the Lehigh Valley. The yards that thrive year after year are the ones built around plants that actually want to live here.

Native Plants and the PA Climate

Pennsylvania's climate is erratic. Humid, 95-degree summers give way to freezing, ice-covered winters. The soil is often heavy clay, especially in newer subdivisions where topsoil was stripped away by builders.

Native plants have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in this exact environment. They have deeper root systems, which means they can break through clay and find water during July droughts. They are also naturally resistant to local pests, meaning less time (and money) spent spraying chemicals.

Top Picks for the Lehigh Valley

**1. Native Ornamental Grasses** Native ornamental grasses that deliver dramatic height and privacy. They grow quickly, require zero watering once established, and provide beautiful winter interest when covered in a light frost.

**2. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)** A hardier alternative to temperamental Japanese maples. The Eastern Redbud provides stunning pink/purple blossoms in early spring and handles the PA freeze-thaw cycle perfectly.

**3. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)** A staple for any local garden. They bloom through the hottest parts of the summer, attract pollinators, and can survive completely on local rainfall.

Designing With Natives

At Sombra's, landscapes are designed to look deliberate and structured, using native plants as the foundation. Evergreen shrubs provide year-round structure, while native perennials burst into color from May through September. The result is a vibrant, resilient garden that requires a fraction of the upkeep of a traditional lawn.