You need to think about native plant garden design if you want to create a beautiful, and yet natural, garden with native elements in your backyard. Despite the belief that native gardens will only end up as a messy and chaotic setting, there are good reasons to have one. Not only the plants are easily cared for and grown, but they can also provide shelter and also food for wildlife. In the end, you can contribute to help restore nature and the ecosystem.

Native Plant Concept

Before we dig deeper into native plant landscape design, let’s discuss the concept of native plant concept first. A native plant is the one found (or considered endemic) within a certain area. The plant usually has been there long before the humans inhabited the area. It usually evolves and adapts to the local growing conditions and climates. As a result, the plant has become an integral part of that local ecosystem.

Native plants are crucial because the local wildlife depends on them. Birds, butterflies, or bees need those plants not only for shelter, but also as a food source. Moreover, native plants are considered ‘easier’ for the environment because you don’t need pesticides or even fertilizers to ensure their growth. Moreover, these plants often need very little water too. If you want to help, you can create a landscape that can restore the ecosystem balance. Such a landscape can be easy to maintain and care for. And this is why the native plant garden design is crucial.

Helpful Tips

Before you choose a particular plant or its variety, you need to think these factors through:

  • Go with the varieties that are naturally native to your area. Native plants in southern California may not grow well in Missouri. So, check your local listings.
  • You need to start slowly and small. Start from one patch of soil. Replace it with a small wildflower garden.
  • You don’t always need land or soil to grow the native plants. You can still grow them in pots or containers, and place them in your balcony, patio, or even small compact yard.

native garden landscape

Things to Consider

When you want to plan out the native plant garden design, you should take these elements into consideration. For a starter, you need to match the plant options to your location. Take a look at the landscape. What kind of soil do you have, is it sandy or clay? Is your landscape in the shade or in a sunny location? These elements are important because they can affect the outcome of your native plant garden. Some plants are shade-loving, while others are sun-loving. If you go with the latter, it means that your location should ensure enough direct exposure to the sunlight – 6 hours should be the minimum.

Here’s the key to a successful native garden: You shouldn’t work too hard to ensure successful results. If you have tried too hard, it means that the plants aren’t the best ones for that location. You may need to find other alternative options.

  • Bloom Succession
    It would be impossible for one plant to continuously grow all through the year, in all seasons. That’s why you need to carefully (and smartly) choose plants that will bloom and grow properly in summer, spring, and fall. If it’s possible, find the ones that can bloom naturally in winter. You can take examples of the local prairie. See how the different wildflowers are blooming at different times of the year. You can take this example to design your own native garden.

  • Plants Grouping
    You should gather similar plants together in a group. Imagine how interesting it is to have Virginia Bluebells in springs, close to Blue Lobelia in summers. Not far from them, there is Sneeze Weeds or Coneflower. Grasses can be used as a backdrop or as the garden’s frame.

  • Space Definition
    To avoid messy or chaotic effects, you need to create different space definitions. Bordering each space can be done with brick, limestone, or other (natural) materials. They will improve the overall look of your garden, making it somewhat intentional, attractive, visually pleasing, and clean.

Final Words

You may have to do extra work when you want to plan out your native garden. After all, you need to do research and learn more about the varieties of the plants. But if you are dedicated enough, you should be able to plan out your own native plant garden design and enjoy the satisfying outcome – provided that you do everything correctly and properly.