How to Greaux Native
Consider Your Motivations
First, consider your main motivations for introducing natives into your landscape. Is it to do your part to create a habitat corridor for birds and other wildlife? Is it to give haven to pollinators? Is it to manage our abundant rainfall? Is it to add beauty to your home and appreciation for plant forms? Is it to add privacy, reduce maintenance, or is it all of the above?
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Plan Your Garden
Next, decide which landscape describes your garden space. Is your garden on a flat prairie with few trees? A neglected pasture? In a bottomland hardwood? Are you along a ridge or coteau? Does your garden or yard stay wet or get a lot of sun? Use this information to choose the right plants for your land and your purpose. Be mindful of how large some woody shrubs can get. Our plant lists in this section can help! If you are gardening to attract wildlife, include sources of shelter, water, larval foods, nectars, nesting materials.
Use basic landscape design principles if aesthetics are important to you. These include height layering, clumping, scale. Plan around the permanent structures in that space you wish to feature, integrate or hide. Choose some spectacular feature plants, and remember to consider seasons!
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Maintain and Keep Growing
All gardens need maintenance, even those full of native plants. However, do not feel the need to apply traditional horticulture habits like fertilizers and pesticides to your native garden. Mulch with your own clippings to encourage a healthy microbial community that protects against pathogens. A little elbow grease, patience, and ecology is usually enough to maintain your plantings. Remember, these plants survived and flourished for millenia without our help. Continue to connect with your fellow native gardeners to learn new tips and tricks, to trade seeds, and to share your lessons learned with others!
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