Landscape Design With Native Plants: The Ultimate Guide

When it comes to designing with native plants, many people are hesitant. They think natives cannot be used in harmony with traditional landscape plants. The way to design with natives is simple: plant in masses and sweeps. If you’re not sure where to start, you’ll definitely want to read this guide. It highlights everything you need to know about working with native plants and designing vibrant and sustainable landscapes with them.

What Are Native Plants?

Plants native to a region or habitat are those that have occurred naturally in it, without human intervention. As opposed to introduced species, which arrive in a location through migration or purposeful planting. Native plants can provide many benefits to the ecosystems where they grow, such as cleaner air and water, habitat for wildlife, reduced soil erosion, decreased Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and reduced allergies for humans. Using native plants avoids planting potential invasive species.

How to Select Native Plants?

If you want to select native plants for your landscape, the first thing you need to decide is what you’re looking for.

There are tons of different plants out there, and each has its own set of benefits.
Some are great for attracting pollinators; others are best for filtering toxins from the soil. Some are drought-tolerant; others thrive in wet conditions.

The key is to select plants that work well with your particular climate. In the U.S., there are four main climate zones: Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate, and Continental.

Tropical and Subtropical climates are characterized by year-round warm weather and average temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. These climates usually experience some freezing during the winter months. Temperate and Continental climates have cold winters and average temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Obviously, choosing plants that thrive in your climate will help them last longer and grow better.

Be sure to refer to your particular plant hardiness zone.

Decide What Type of Landscape You Want

The first step in designing with native plants is determining the type of landscape you want. This is important for a couple of reasons.

First, it will help you discover which native plants are best suited to your region and conditions.

Second, it will give you a sense of how different native plants look in the context of your garden. – Select a type of native plant appropriate to your design theme.

A native plant community in a landscape will likely have some existing plants, such as large canopy trees. You can enhance the diversity of plants with native shrubs and perennials that reflect your particular design theme. Examples of native garden styles range from prairies and meadows, to woodland and shade gardens, to rain gardens and xeriscapes. Whether you are designing a new landscape or renovating your existing landscape, there is a wide array of native plants for every location and each landscape situation.

Design with Nature in Mind

As you begin designing your landscape with native plants, you’ll want to keep in mind some design principles.

Native plants are often more adaptable to the environment than their non-native counterparts.

They often grow in groups and and look best in masses.

Plan for a succession of seasonal interest, with a variety of long lasting bloomers alongside foliage plants.

Native planting design attracts local pollinators and butterflies, and provides food and habitat for birds, and other wildlife.

Additional advice for landscape designers

Be patient. Natives look their best when fully established in the garden.

Incorporate trees, shrubs, perennials, wildflowers and grasses.

Natives can make up the entire garden, or be used to complement your existing plantings.

They are at home in the front and back yards and can enhance formal or natural styles.

Natives are more resilient and often require less maintenance than their non-native counterparts.

Native gardens capture a sense of place and display a diverse succession of blooms, colors, textures, in every season.

Conclusion

Designing with native plants can help you create an easy, beautiful home garden that suits your region and style, while supporting biodiversity and ecosystems.

Make natives a necessary part of your landscape to create a healthy and flourishing garden on your piece of earth.