Reviewing the Plant Schedule

​When we last discussed landscaping, we were slowly stepping through the process of landscape design. First, we decided how the yard would be used with a goal of minimizing the non-native lawn. Then, we divided up the property into areas for entertaining, play, transitions, lawn and garden. Next, we properly sized each of these spaces, talked about hardscapes, drew lawn lines, piled our new beds with tree chips, planted more trees, and selected combinations of shrubs and perennials based on degrees of contrast and repeat. But now, I would be remiss, if I didn’t pause to encourage you to review your plant schedule to ensure more than 60% of the total plant count is comprised of native plants.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen' (fall)

We know native plants are better suited to their natural environment and therefore better able to survive extreme conditions. This is true. However, more importantly, our bugs generally prefer native to non-native plants. Wait. What? I can hear the buzz… we’re supposed to draw bugs into our yards for the purpose of eating our plants? Yes, absolutely!

If we have native plants, we have lots of bugs, which eat the plants and push the stored energy from the sun into the food web. Bugs are the workhorses of our environment. Without them, food webs collapse and we don’t exist. So, starting today and for evermore, we are charged with creating bug-friendly landscapes, and, in doing so, I will bet we won’t even notice the damage or difference other than more birds and an increase in biodiversity. If the thought of more bugs bothers you, just think of them as bird food. After all, most of our bird species rely heavily on protein-rich insects for a good part of their diet and feed their chicks only insects, not seeds and berries.

For a more in-depth look, quick read, and easy to understand explanation of this important subject matter, go to... http://bit.ly/13ULrnV

Fothergilla (fall)

Vaccinium (fall)

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Check your design for a sufficient number of native plants. Next time, we’ll go shopping!