Lay Of The Land(scape)
Natural landscaping ought to be just that — natural. It shouldn’t require a staff of full-time gardeners. It probably doesn’t feature shrubberies carved into the shape of a symphony orchestra. And, it shouldn’t demand vast quantities of natural resources like fertilizer and water. It should just…be. Or at the very least, it should just give the appearance of merely being. Natural landscaping does not mean wild. It does not mean a prairie in every backyard — a prairie that needs to be burned every other year for it to remain at its best. It means skillfully using the materials at hand to create an unforced look that is both easy to care for and is easy on the environment.
Trees
Your approach to landscaping will largely be dictated by the trees in your yard. A shaded yard requires a different approach to landscaping. Not only are the plants different, but the contrasts of light and dark aremore dramatic and the opportunities are greater for sudden surprises, like a waterfall or a reflecting pool tucked into a back corner.
If you’re looking to landscape, chances are you have few trees of significant height. That doesn’t mean you should plan your landscaping as if you have no trees. Sit down with your landscaping professional and look into the future. Determine where there will be shade and where you want shade. Plan your shady areas and your sunny areas, and begin working with your landscaping professional on sculpting your landscaping accordingly.
For the trees in your yard that are keepers, enhance their health and well-being with plenty of water, particularly in stress periods of heat and drought, and a good mulch to encourage moisture penetration and discourage weed growth. Some of the rubber mulches made from recycled tires are an attractive, durable alternative to the traditional cedar bark and cocoa shells. Ask your landscape professional for recommendations.
Rocks
When you get right down to it, there are few landscaping materials more environmentally friendly than rock. It doesn’t need water or fertilizer, and if it threw carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere it would be about perfect.
Rock, with all its varied colors, sizes, and textures, is a perfect complement to the green spaces in your yard, but again, it requires a thorough review with your landscaping professional to determine the best uses of rock.
Rock is best where there is no traffic,making it a perfect border and delineator. Want to separate a barbeque area from the rest of your yard? Want to set off a perennial garden? Rock is the stuff.
However, using rock requires some forward thinking, too. Plan your yard for its future uses. Is it going to become a soccer field for impromptu games? Rock may not be the best answer. Rock and swing sets are similarly a bad combination. Your landscape professional can help you devise a plan that makes the best use of natural materials and provides your green space with room to grow as your needs change.
Natural landscaping…means skillfully using the materials at hand to create an unforced look that’s easy to care for and easy on the environment.
