SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES

DO NATIVE PLANTS REQUIRE LESS WATER?

As a residential landscape designer practicing in New York City and surrounding areas, I speak from professional experience and studies.

A native plant is a species that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem and/or habitat and was present prior to European settlement in the United States. (Elsewhere in the world, there are different parameters.)  Native prairie, woodland and wetland plants have evolved to thrive in our natural conditions and, after the first season or two of establishment in your garden, typically require less maintenance than a conventional lawn or garden. 

They have adapted to the geography, hydrology, and climate of that region. Native plants occur in communities, that is, they have evolved together with other plants. As a result, a community of native plants provides habitat for a variety of native wildlife species such as songbirds and butterflies.

It’s important to understand that a commercial or residential landscape design may often be very different from the native conditions where a plant originated, even if they are found in the same state.  For the success of any plant, install the plant in similar conditions (light, soil, water/humidity, temperature, ph, etc) that you would find it in nature. Hence the axiom “right plant, right place”. 

Native plantings—prairie and woodland gardens, rain gardens set in a residential landscape design—are much more effective than lawn grass in slowing down stormwater and filtering out chemicals contained in it. The deep roots of many native species are able to absorb, hold, and gradually release this water—water that would otherwise rush into nearby bodies of water, eroding their banks and delivering pollution.

Some natives have incredible root systems that support the plants in times of drought. Compared with the roots of most non-native plants, warm-season grasses and flowers have a deep, extensive root system that helps absorb moisture and prevent erosion. Many species of prairie plants have roots that extend four to eight feet into the soil, while cool-season non-native grasses, such as Kentucky blue grass extend only a few inches into the soil. Deep roots allow native plants to withstand long periods of dry weather and so they require little or no watering after they are established.

According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center, a native landscape provides so much more than just water conserving features. Native landscapes provide habitats for wildlife and encourage the presence of native insects and microorganisms that benefit plants by keeping them healthy without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Even in the urban setting of a New York City garden design, my clients enjoy the entertaining value offered them when native plants attract butterflies and other pollinators.  It’s magical!

TIPS FOR VERTICAL GARDENING

Don’t overlook the gateway and your garden entrance - With a little creativity the entrance can be made into a beautiful creative vertical garden. An attractive gate or entrance adds character, and is very welcoming for visitors and can become a real showpiece.

photo: toddhaimanlandscapedesign2015

How Permanent Should your Vertical Structure be? This depends on whether or not you own the property and your future plans for it. This is also depends upon whether there are local ordinances, restrictions, codes. Generally you should choose lightweight materials that are easily removed.

photo:buildapedia

Check for shade and the availability of direct sun – Understand the direction the wall faces.  Based upon that you will have a better understanding of the amount of light the site offers. Remember a south-facing wall receives full sun, while a north facing wall mostly shade. Vertical gardens are less vulnerable to frost, but may be more vulnerable to wind. Grow shade tolerant plants long periods of shade throughout the day.

Choose your plant wisely - The best plants are those that are suitable for growing in dense clusters, that tolerate shade well and periodic drying. Many plants need to have airflow around them to mitigate fungal diseases, so keep that in mind when the vertical wall becomes a lush verdant wall. It may be time to do a bit of thinning. Vines and creepers work well but avoid species that become unmanageable and difficult to prune and control.

Make best use of vertical structures for attachment - The best way to set up a wall garden or vertical garden is to fix the pots or frames to a wall or fence. If you can’t, or don't want to drill into a wall or fence, the pots can be attached to chains dangling down the walls. You can also hang the planters from hooks or install frames to support the garden. Then design the plant.  Plants are phototropic. They grow directly to the sun, which means your vine wants to grow to the open sky. If you want the entire wall covered, try to take the first leaders and affix them horizontally.  The vine will then make a 90-degree turn and direct itself to the sun.

photo:inhabitat

Think carefully about the height and strength of the structure - Make sure that the wall and fence and the attachment points are strong and solid. They have to support the garden at all stages of its development. Remember that the vegetation will get heavier and heavier as the garden develops. Planters can get very heavy when filled with wet soil after heavy rain showers. Don't make the garden too high for easy care and maintenance.

photo:inhabitat

Be well aware of the maximum height the plants are likely to grow to when mature - This will affect the kind of structure you choose and will also affect accessibility for pruning, watering, fertilizing and various maintenance tasks. Consider how high you can comfortably reach! Also consider how you are going to trim, prune and maintain the plants as they grow.

EXAMPLES + IDEAS FOR BUILDING A VERTICAL GARDEN