Undergrown

 

This is a fabulous term to describe how poorly most modern landscapes are serving the natural community that they replaced. I don’t know where it started but this blog post by Nancy Lawson is where I got it. But I do see two aspects to this term.

First of all, when we devote excessive space to turf (regardless of whether it is native or not), we are probably not allowing enough room for diversity. There are so many different insects in our ecosystem that we need a diversity of plants to support a diversity of insects. So, as I said last week, let’s minimize our turfgrass to just the very little that we need for playing or satisfying our neighborhood.

Second, the way we plant our landscaped areas is too skimpy: a plant here and a plant there and then smother the rest of the space in mulch. This under-planting concept is addressed in a book from some years ago (almost 10 years now!) called Planting in a Post-Wild World where the authors advocate for dense plantings. 

The term ‘soft landings’ is a more recent approach to dense plantings and references the need for moth caterpillars to have a safe place to land once they are ready to advance to the next stage of life (cocoon).

Random internet photo to illustrate more mulch than plants

Both ideas reference a more natural planting construct where the ground layer of plants has a purpose, a purpose that is not satisfied by mulch or lawn. The purpose is to create a dense and diverse plant community that naturally suppresses the germination of stray seeds (that is, weeds), adds more native plants for insects, and provides a safe haven for insects that need to finish their life cycle in the ground (without being chopped up by power equipment).

This grouping includes Tiarella , Phlox stolonifera, and Carex

As you head out this spring with your shopping list and plans, be aware of the concept of having an undergrown landscape and strive to create full and productive gardens. Yes, you need MORE plants!

Columbine (Aquilegia) and Phacelia