As spring and summer roll on, weeds seem to pop up overnight, thriving in the warm soil and mild evening temperatures. While I am a firm believer that some weeds should be tolerated, especially in wilder plots, it’s perfectly reasonable not to want nettles and docks growing alongside your peonies and roses.

As a gardener, I’ve spent hundreds, possibly thousands, of hours weeding. And while it can sometimes feel meditative, sore knees, a stiff back and the odd blister often tell a different story. Anything that can ease the weeding burden, then, even if only slightly, is always to be welcomed. Plants can help in the fight against weeds, and growing native perennials to stop weeds is a clever way to reduce your gardening chores.

So, whether you’re looking to fill in gaps in borders or simply cut down on weekend weeding maintenance, these dense clump-forming species can help. Here, one plant expert from Wisconsin recommends five native plants to stop weeds, which are both practical and beautiful.