Front Yard Landscaping with Native Plants

Front yard landscaping is your canvas to make a strong first impression, not just for your guests but also for the environment. More homeowners are realizing the benefits of using native plants in their landscaping, not only for their aesthetic appeal but for their positive impact on local ecosystems. In this article, we’ll explore the idea of front yard landscaping with native plants, revealing the unique charm and ecological advantages of this sustainable approach.

The Beauty of Native Plants

Native plants are flora that have evolved naturally in a specific region over thousands of years. By incorporating native plants into your front yard landscaping, you’re essentially showcasing the beauty that has been crafted by nature itself. These plants have adapted to local soil conditions, weather patterns, and pests, which often makes them easier to maintain and more resilient. The variety of colors, shapes, and sizes offered by native plants can rival any exotic species, creating a stunning and unique landscape for your home.

Sustainability and Biodiversity

One of the key advantages of using native plants in your front yard landscaping is their environmental friendliness. Native plants require minimal water and chemical inputs, as they have already adapted to the local environment. This reduces your water usage and eliminates the need for harmful pesticides, fostering a more sustainable landscape.

Moreover, native plants support local wildlife. These plants offer food and habitat for native insects, birds, and small mammals. By planting them in your front yard, you contribute to the local ecosystem’s biodiversity. In turn, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature right outside your door.

BASIC DESCRIPTION

This plant is easy to grow and grows fast to give a bright show of color, but is rather short-lived. Will self-seed after blooming, to give another display later in the year. Flowers mid-spring through summer. Large yellow flowers with dark brown centers.

ESTABLISHMENT AND CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Grows in almost any soil type except wet areas. Self seeds in open ground abundantly. Spent flower heads can be removed to encourage more flowers later in the season. Short-lived perennial.

Yellow dye can be made from the plant. Tea made from leaves used in folk medicines for colds.

Landscape designs using native plants

• Simple landscape designs using native plants can reduce the amount of lawn to maintain and produce climate-resilient, diverse landscapes in townhome and single-family home communities. They support pollinators and native wildlife as well.
• These plant recommendations and design plans are suggestions based on an average townhouse plot and an average single-family home. Some plants may not be appropriate for all situations. Local garden centers or nurseries can recommend similar plants to suit your site’s conditions. Always ask for alternatives that are native plants.
• Most of the plants are native to Maryland or the southeastern U.S. Aim to have at least 70% native plants to help support native beneficial insects and birds.
• The designs can be implemented over time. Begin by removing or relocating existing plants that are showing signs of stress or have outgrown the space. The area closest to structures should be planted in the first phase. This reduces the trampling of smaller plants and compacting the soil.
• If you have concerns about landscaping rules imposed by your HOA, check out this by the Maryland General Assembly. It prohibits property managers from putting unreasonable limitations on low-impact landscaping such as habitat, pollinator, rain gardens, and xeriscaping.

Light requirements

Full sun = six or more hours of direct, unobstructed, sunlight per day during the active growing season
Full shade = three or fewer hours of sunlight a day

• Partial sun, partial shade, and similar terms aren’t strictly defined by a specific amount of unobstructed sunlight. The relative amount of sunlight for partial shade is less than for partial sun.
• Heat and light reflecting off of hard surfaces can increase the perceived amount of sun.
• All plants need some light to survive. Plants labeled for full sun or full shade are less tolerant of the middle range of available sunlight.
• Gardening is not an exact science, especially in a changing climate. Accept that some plants may need to be replaced over time with a plant that prefers that location’s conditions.

Creating a Native Plant Landscape

To get started with front yard landscaping using native plants, follow these steps:

1. Research: Identify native plant species in your region. Consider factors like sunlight, soil type, and moisture levels to determine which plants are suitable for your front yard.
2. Design: Create a landscaping plan that incorporates various native plants in a visually appealing way. Think about the size, shape, and color of the plants to achieve a harmonious look.
3. Plant Selection: Visit local nurseries specializing in native plants to source your selections. You can also consult with local gardening experts for advice.
4. Care and Maintenance: Although native plants are low-maintenance, they still require some care, especially in the early stages. Water them until they establish themselves, and mulch to control weeds and retain moisture.
5. Enjoy: Sit back and admire your beautiful, eco-friendly front yard, knowing that you’re doing your part to support local wildlife and reduce your environmental footprint.

How To Use Native Plants In All Landscape Styles

Landscapes that lack in size don’t have to lack in display! Any space can be transformed into a garden with a few native plants here and there.

A sidewalk strip, front porch, corner, and mailbox are prime locations for native plants. We recommend using informal edges for low maintenance and organizing swaths instead of mixing.

When planning your layout, be sure to start with tall plants in the back and work your way to short as you approach the front. Unfortunately, plants can’t stand on their tippy toes to be seen so you’ll have to do the work for them!

Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon gerardii) are both ideal candidates for standing tall in the back. They enjoy filling small garden spaces with their silvery blue foliage.

Medium natives are the center of the show and love all the attention they can get. This is why they bloom the brightest and prettiest flowers for all to see.

Sky Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense) and the Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) always want to show off their colors, but not take away from the tall natives either.

With light blue and golden yellow blooms, these native perennials make your small garden dance with joy!

Short natives live close to the ground most of the time and bring a small garden all together when planted. The Little Goldstar Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Little Goldstar’) has no problem with being short.

What it lacks in height, it makes up for in the volume of star-shaped yellow flowers with a deep contrasted center. This improved native plant stays compact and appreciates when butterflies visit!

By organizing a small native garden with tall, medium, and short plants, you’re saving space while making a big impact at the same time.

Large
On the opposite hand, you can create large, beautiful landscape displays when you have a vast amount of space to work with. This is where there are hardly any boundaries holding your inner gardener back.

Front yards, meadows, and prairies each exhibit large native landscapes that can be created with several varieties.

It is almost easier to plant natives in large landscapes rather than small ones. Feel free to choose specific plants and map out your large landscape using the multiple options we provided for you below.

They are sure to provide you with wonderful color and diversity!

Before planting, you will need to eliminate weeds as you do not want your pretty plants to be overgrown with invasive and unwanted weeds. Your native plants will appreciate this very much.

In the early stages of growth, you will want to keep the soil moist. This will ensure that the plant has all the right nutrients to grow well.

From then on, enjoy the view of vibrant shades of color and watch the visiting of several species of wildlife from the comfort of your home.