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The first time I saw native landscaping, it was actually the entire yard (including lawn) of a very expensive home. I thought it looked like an overgrown roadside park complete with weeds and all types of undesirable foliage. Unfortunately, that home owner (I did not use the
term gardener) had no clue as to what native landscaping truly is otherwise they wouldn’t have allowed their yard to look so dilapidated. There really is no mystery to native landscaping, you just need the right plants in the right area in order to achieve a nature yet manicured look. Sure, you can go totally native including your lawn but why should you? Besides, it isn’t necessary to achieve that native look so many gardeners desire now.
What Native Landscaping really means is the process of using native plants, shrubs, and trees in your garden scenery. By choosing natural plants, there is no need to worry about climate zones and proper watering. These guys are indigenous to your area; they will live and thrive with very little effort on your part. Besides maintenance ease, here are a few more reasons or benefits realized for going native when landscaping:
Reduces lawn maintenance costs
Stops soil erosion
Attracts butterflies, moths and hummingbirds
Increases botanical diversity
Reduces the need or use of pesticides
Replacement plant costs are reduced since many native plants are perennial
More time spent enjoying your landscape rather than caring for it
Creating a better habitat for neighboring wildlife
To begin you need to do a little research on the internet or at your local library on indigenous plants for your geographic region. You want to pick out a cross-section or wide array of plants, shrubs, flowers and trees to give your landscape a vivid palate of colors all year. When choosing your landscape designs always create depth as well as height and color. Your yard should be balanced or proportioned according to your design and desires; if you want more trees do it. Or more flowering plants then go wild with the wildflowers. The point is you are designing a natural landscape and you are the creator, so use your imagination and fill in those dead areas with native foliage. The more you add in, the clearer your vision will become. Think about your local countryside, what do you see? Then try to recreate it in your own backyard, so the next time you want go see the country just take a walk instead.
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