Creating a Native Garden in the Home Landscape

BY SANDY PHELPS ‘02 rain garden. Use a natural depres- es: In recent years there has been a sion as the basis for a pond. sit positive trend towards using native Wildlife will flock to a small pond et with shallow edges and a sandy or plants in home landscape design. W For too long, housing projects have gravel “beach” where they can

for bathe or drink. Scatter rocks around

been clearing away native trees, shrubs and groundcover.This leaves as perches for frogs, insects or birds wildlife without homes or food. on Bush, to sunbathe. Be aware, however, that standing water can be a breed- The wildlife move on to other sites Native Butt or disappear altogether leaving ing place for mosquitoes.

large expanses of land open to A diversity of wildlife will call your : problems with water management backyard home if you also provide and overpopulation of certain multiple places for them to shelter wildlife and insect species. Other and raise their young. A layering of ronweed, pests and diseases find a foothold I groundcover, perennials, shrubs perennial

without the natural defenses of our ork and trees are needed for a well-

native species. Y rounded habitat. Shredded leaves The benefits of creating a more nat- are an appropriate mulch in a na- ural design with native plants are Native New tive garden as insects and other numerous. When a gardener brings wildlife overwinter in leaves. Allow back native plants, wildlife and in- perennials to remain standing through winter for food and shel-

sects return. The best natural pest , and disease control is a balanced ter. Keep a few dead trees and hol- ecosystem, and a healthy ecosystem low logs as well as vines on the

Shrub: property for nesting sites and

means an increase in pollinators, stronger plants, healthier soil and homes for insects. better absorption of rainwater Just how do you begin to create this Summersweet A successful native garden needs to Native natural garden to encourage a di- provide four elements for a variety versity of wildlife to call your back- of wildlife; ❶ a year round food yard ‘home’? One needn’t bring in source which can include seeds, an excavator and create a new or ex- nuts, fruit and insects, ❷water, pensive setting. Start with the natu-

❸shelter, and ❹nesting sites. , ral framework of your property and

Take any of these necessities away ree: build from the ground up. Don’t T and the species moves on or dies fight Mother Nature - use it. Ob- out. Do not use pesticides in the serve what wildlife already comes garden. In a balanced garden birds to your garden and where they like and beneficial insects will keep the Native Serviceberry to roost: a large outcropping of harmful insects in check. rocks, a dead tree, or densely planted areas of shrubs. Note the All life needs water to drink, bathe various microclimates and light

and in some cases, generate new conditions within your garden and life. While a bird bath is a start to

em, use them as the basic building providing drinking water, it is not a blocks of a native plant garden. Grass:

fresh supply of water for all wildlife. A natural pond or rain gar- Your native garden plan should

le Bluest emulate nature with open areas as den is a simple solution to provide t

a water supply. An area that has Native Lit well as wooded areas. Start out erosion or excessive dampness after small around the house with a rainstorms may be a perfect site to low layer of plants and move create a rock-lined streambed or a outwardtoward larger plants and trees. Creating a Native Garden in the Home Landscape pt 2

Native plants for The garden around the house can be more refined and tidy. As the garden progresses outward it can be more informal wet sites: and reflective of nature. Our eyes first see the ground layer Pickerel weed, Blue full of ground- covers, perennials and low shrubs. As the Flag Iris, Sweet Flag landscape moves further away from the residence it should Iris, Arrow Arum, have a middle layer of larger shrubs and perennials. Swamp Milkweed, Finally, emulate the natural landscape with a Cardinal Flower, Three Way Sedge, backdrop of trees and evergreens. This layering Three Square Bullrush, creates a more welcoming setting for wildlife and a Soft Rush, Shallow more private landscape for the homeowner. Sedge, Button Bush, By building your native garden slower over many Pussy Willow, Smooth seasons you will create a garden that is just the Alder right size for you to maintain. Replace turf grass, invasive non-native plants with natives over several seasons. Start with 5 or 6 basic plants and plant in Native perennials: drifts or groupings. Aster, Boneset, Joe Pye Weed, Turtlehead, Coneflower, Goldenrod, New York Ironweed, Blazing Star, Bee Balm, This layering creates a more Beard Tongue, Amso- welcoming setting for wildlife nia, Black-Eyed Susan, and Cinnamon, Ostrich and a more private landscape and Sensitive Ferns for the homeowner. Native Shrubs: Winterberry, Inkberry, Virginia Sweetspire, Dense plantings help to crowd out non-natives and weeds Chokeberry, Red Twig and require less maintenance. Don’t forget to incorporate Dogwood, Silky Dog- color, fragrance and texture to tantalize your senses. wood, Spicebush, Sum- Bringing wildlife back to your yard creates a balanced and a mersweet, Cranberrry healthy ecosystem. A native garden will reduce the need for Bush Viburnum, Oak- watering, weeding, mulching and pesticides. A healthier leaf Hydrangea garden is a healthier you. Native Trees: Black and Green Ash, Sweet Gum, Native Dogwood, Redbud, Eastern Red Cedar, Pin and Willow Oak, River Birch, Red Maple, Ser- viceberry, Sweet Bay Magnolia, Hornbeam, Beech, White Pine Native Grasses: Bluestem, Switch Grass