Where Do I Start?

 

Change can be intimidating. If you’ve been inspired to transform your existing landscape to one that includes more native plants, chances are you are wondering how to start. This is a question that comes in occasionally to native plant societies and I have fielded it a few times. Certainly, we recommend using a landscape designer, but that can be costly or sometimes people can only afford to replace small areas at a time (you can still get a plan and do one section at a time).

Butterflies are a good reason to add more native plants

I wrote a blog last year entitled “Easing Into Using More Native Plants” that outlined some strategies. It should be no surprise that the recommendations included Replace, Reduce, or Remove:

Replace – this requires no significant design changes; simply identify a non-native plant (like a shrub or tree) and swap it for a native one of similar size and appropriate for the spot (sun, shade, etc.)

Reduce – this focuses on reducing lawn to create more productive plantings but it might also apply to a plant that is overgrown for its space, especially a tree or shrub; replace with a smaller plant or group of perennials.

Remove – this focuses on removing invasive plants, especially those mature enough to fruit and create more in adjacent areas (like nearby neighbors or natural areas).

These shrubs are over 30 years old and sit in a prime sunny spot;
these are good candidates to replace.

Use those 3 R’s to identify manageable changes. Once you’ve figured out what you want to do, act like a pro and do two fact-finding steps. The information from these two steps will help you make the best choices for your change:

Learn – identify your light and moisture conditions in the chosen spot. On a sunny day in the spring or summer, watch how the sun moves across the landscape and count the number of hours that your intended spot(s) has direct sun. Check the moisture and determine if it is damp or dry (or in between). Full sun is 6 or more hours of direct sun or less sun but in the harsh afternoon.

Research – find what plants might be available and what your goals are. While searching for unusual native plants can be rewarding, often we are limited by what we can find at a nursery. This link on the native plant society website can help you find nurseries; just give them a call or check their online inventory listing.

Happy shrubs reward you with good blooms and dense growth;
this is Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica)

You know what you want to do and you’ve chosen your plants; now do it!

Plant – choose an optimal time (in Georgia: October and November are good months for planting trees and shrubs) for best success. I’ve have been amazed at how many people are planting things now during summer days with temps in the mid-90’s.  

Practice Care – the first year of any plant, including native ones, requires some attention. Water them if you don’t get enough rain, provide good organic mulch (not dyed!) in modest amounts, and protect them from critters.

Working small areas can make the change manageable