Native Landscaping
Natural landscapes have a focus on native plants. Designs may entail restoring the native plant community that once lived in
your yard before the artificial looking one that currently presides, or simply placing a few natives in strategic areas to complement the
present landscape.
Naturalized landscaping incorporates ideas and materials that are contrary to the dogma of the sterile, hyper-organized, energy intensive landcapes
prevalent in our country today.
- Naturalized landscaping mimics nature and utilizes the raw materials that propel and sustain the functions of an undisturbed
woodland, wood-edge, or meadow habitat.
- Woodfall, in the form of wind pruned dead-wood or ice storm broken branches are welcomed in such a landscape. Such material provides many functions-
- Fertilizes-slow release of nutrients as wood decomposes.
- Acts as a moisture sink-absorbing water during periods of plenty, and releasing it back into the immediate area during drier times
- Provides habitat for amphibians like the Red backed salamander and Red eft, and also for insects that break down cellulose (decomposers),
and predators of potentially harmful insects.
- Food source for fungi and other microbial inhabitants-the real engine of every ecosystem.
What we once considered unsightly trash is now a valuable resource.
- Plain old leaves (at least in woodland habitats), fallen from trees in the Autumn are the preferred mulch-not the artificially colored bark mulch that is so ubiquitous and
misused.
- Non-vascular, plants and organisms like mosses, lichens and liverworts are encouraged and purposefully placed in the garden. Fungi is also
welcomed-especially the less ephemeral types like the conks, or "shelf-fungi" that can be easily seen happily decomposing dead and dying wood. All of these organisms
add intrigue and originality to the naturalized landscape, much less increased fertility and better over all health.
- Rocks and stones are found through out natural habitats-from conspicuous glacial erratics to the nearly buried moss encrusted stone just breaking the
ground surface. Rocks add texture, focal points, and habitat; when used intelligently, they can really make the whole landscape.