Natural landscaping, also called native gardening, is a way to design a garden. It uses plants that are naturally found in the area where the garden is located. These plants include trees, shrubs, groundcover, and grasses.

Benefits

Natural landscaping uses plants that are naturally found in a specific area. These plants have grown and changed to fit local conditions, such as weather, land shape, and water patterns, over thousands of years. Because of this, they usually do not need chemicals like pesticides or fertilizers, or extra watering to stay healthy. However, sometimes these materials may be needed to help protect trees and other plants from problems before they occur.

Native plants are popular for gardens that require little care. Many of these plants are strong and can survive both cold winters and hot summers. Once they are well-established, they can grow without needing extra water or fertilizers. They are also less likely to be harmed by insects or diseases.

Many cities have started using natural landscaping because it helps save money and water. This method also gives people more free time since it requires less work. Native plants create homes for animals like butterflies, birds, and pollinators. They offer more choices than non-native plants, which are often planted in gardens. Native plants have grown together with animals, fungi, and tiny living things over time, forming important connections in their ecosystems. They are the base of their natural environments.

Gardens with native plants often need fewer changes to the soil, less watering, and fewer chemicals because these plants are already adapted to local conditions, including pests, soil, and weather. However, in some areas, especially cities, the environment may have changed in ways that make it harder for native plants to grow. For example:

• Rubble from buildings used as landfill can make soil more alkaline, which may harm plants that need acidic soil.
• Buildings can create too much shade, which may not suit plants that need more sunlight.
• Soil with high levels of nutrients or organic material may not work well for some native plants, such as many Australian plants that are sensitive to phosphorus.
• Some native plants depend on wildfires, which can be mimicked in gardens through controlled burns or mowing every few years.

Weeds in an area are often the result of non-native plants that have no natural enemies to control their growth. These invasive plants can take over native habitats, harming local wildlife. Using native plants helps protect biodiversity and supports the health of ecosystems.

Many natural areas have been lost due to urban development, with homes and lawns replacing native plants. While development is hard to stop, gardeners can help by planting native species in their yards and communities.

Even in areas where development has happened, there are usually many native plants that can grow well. Using native plants in gardens helps protect ecosystems and reduces the need for care. These plants are adapted to local weather and soil, often needing less maintenance than non-native plants. They also support native wildlife, such as birds and insects, by providing food and shelter.

Plants in gardens can spread to new areas, so avoiding invasive plants helps prevent them from growing where they are not wanted. Native plants can also help other plants grow in new places.

Some non-native plants can create problems by attracting native animals to areas that are not safe for them. However, research in Britain found that some non-native plants can also support wildlife. Studies showed that invertebrates, which are common in gardens, can live in gardens with both native and non-native plants. This research supports ideas about using plants that help wildlife thrive.

In some areas, adding non-native plants may increase the amount of living material or biodiversity. For example, in disturbed areas, some non-native plants may grow better than native plants, which could help increase biodiversity and the amount of living material.

Types

Native gardens can be created in several different ways:

• Fully covered with trees and leaves on the ground, including large pieces of wood if possible;
• Designed for dry areas, using plants that love dry conditions and store water, like succulents;
• Made with grasses and many types of wildflowers, often including water features like ponds or streams;
• Created as lowland savannas, with grasses and native trees growing together; and
• Built as oceanic dunes, with tall grasses that can survive in salty environments.

In some countries, the word "wildflower" refers to the many colorful flowers found in dry regions, such as southwest Western Australia, southern Africa, and North America.

Some wildflower gardens are made to look like prairies, using native grasses and flowering plants, such as forbs. These gardens help support local wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, and small mammals. By choosing the right plants, gardeners can attract these animals to their gardens. One type of wildflower garden is especially designed to attract butterflies and is called a "butterfly garden."

The plants used in wildflower gardens often have deep roots, which help them absorb water from the surface and let it sink into the groundwater. Gardens made this way to capture and absorb water are called "rain gardens."

Rain gardens are often linked to natural landscaping because they use native plants and soil to copy how water moves in natural ecosystems. A rain garden is a shallow, landscaped area made to collect water from surfaces like roofs, driveways, and sidewalks. This water soaks into the ground instead of flowing into storm drains. Rain gardens are usually planted with native grasses, shrubs, and flowering plants that can handle both flooding and dry periods. The plants and soil in rain gardens help clean water by removing pollutants, while also providing food and shelter for birds, insects, and other animals. By reducing water runoff and supporting plant and animal life, rain gardens are a helpful addition to natural landscapes.

Advantages

• No fertilizer is needed
• No extra water is required
• More water can be used for other purposes and by others
• Very little or no maintenance is needed
• Lawns do not need to be mowed
• Erosion happens less often
• Native plants use rainwater efficiently
• During water shortages, native plants can survive, but other plants might not
• More homes are created for native plants and animals
• More helpful insects help control pests
• In areas with many trees, they provide shade for buildings, which saves energy
• Native plants rarely spread too much
• More carbon is stored

Disadvantages

• Not suitable for outdoor games that need well-kept grass surfaces.
• Wildfires or brushfires may be a major problem in some areas.
• May appear less traditionally attractive because there are fewer types of plants to choose from.
• It may be difficult to find native plants that produce enough food.

Effect of new construction

In new construction projects, builders have two main choices. They can avoid cutting down all the trees and plants on a property, which helps protect the natural environment. Alternatively, they may clear the entire area of all plants to make construction faster. After the work is done, they can replant young plants in the cleared area. However, this method costs more money because new plants must be bought and planted. Builders might also choose to plant more native trees and plants after construction to help the area look more natural.

In some planned developments, rules require natural landscaping. Builders are not allowed to cut down trees that are larger than a certain size. Also, property owners cannot cut trees without getting permission from the proper authorities.

Land reclamation

Around the world, forested areas are frequently used for raising cattle or farming. This land is often later changed to be used for homes or businesses. Restoring the land to its original condition before humans used it can help reduce a lot of energy use and more pollution. Natural landscaping is cheaper to set up than traditional landscaping. After the first few years, it needs less upkeep, helps prevent soil from washing away, and handles heavy rain and floods better.

Native plant societies

In many places around the world, there are groups, such as Bushcare or the Australian Native Plants Society in Australia, the North American Native Plant Society, Pennsylvania Native Plant Society, or the California Native Plant Society, that bring together gardeners who grow plants native to their region. In the United States, Wild Ones—Native Plants, Natural Landscapes is a national group with local chapters in many states. The Native Plant Trust and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center also share information about native plants and support landscaping that uses local plants. These groups are excellent places to learn about and find native plants. Many members have spent many years growing native plants or hiking in local areas.