thoughts from the studio and field
The following posts reflect our process, inspiration, and lessons learned as we design and install landscapes and watch them develop each season.
Low-Maintenance Meadow Gardens for Philadelphia and main line Landscapes
If you're searching for landscape design ideas for the Main Line that are low maintenance, eco-friendly, and full of life, a native meadow-inspired garden might be the perfect fit. These plants aren’t just beautiful — they’re resilient, pollinator-approved, and sustainably suited to our climate.
We’d love to help you bring this style home — whether it’s a front yard refresh, a backyard habitat garden, or a full design build.
Right now, our native meadows are in full swing! Grassy landscapes with colorful perennials are swaying in the sun and buzzing with pollinators. These landscapes aren’t just wild and beautiful, they’re built to thrive in full sun, with minimal maintenance, even in the heat of summer.
If you’ve been looking for low-maintenance landscaping ideas that still deliver color and seasonal beauty, native perennials are the way to go. They’re not just better for the environment, they’re better for busy lives and summer travelling seasons.
One good reminder any time the word “meadow” comes up is that you don’t need a field or a large backyard to enjoy the look and feel of a native meadow. If you love that loose, colorful, pollinator-friendly aesthetic but only have a small yard or even a front border to work with, you can still create a stylized meadow garden and make it work at any scale.
A Meadow-Inspired Garden for Any Space
Whether you’re planning a full backyard makeover or just refreshing your front garden beds, you can bring the texture, movement, and seasonal beauty of a meadow into your home landscape with a smart mix of native plants for our Philadelphia and Main Line growing conditions.
Here’s a go-to list of plants that are for a pollinator-friendly, low-maintenance and native to Pennsylvania, so they thrive in our local conditions and work beautifully in full sun:
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – upright blue-green foliage with stunning fall color and a strawy effect as they stay standing upright through winter.
Shenandoah Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’) – compact, with burgundy-tinged leaves and airy plumes
Amsonia hubrichtii – fine-textured spring bloomer with bold golden fall color
Penstemon 'Husker Red' – deep red foliage and crisp white flowers in early summer
Rudbeckia fulgida – classic black-eyed Susan that blooms for months
Liatris spicata 'Kobold' – compact purple spikes that attract butterflies and bees
Pycnanthemum muticum – mountain mint that smells amazing and draws in pollinators
Aster laevis – tall, strong-stemmed aster with late-season violet blooms
Physostegia virginiana – obedient plant with pink flower spires, perfect for a more cottage-style look
Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips' – pink turtlehead for late-summer color, especially in moist spots or part shade
This list includes some of our favorite plants to balances form, texture, and bloom time to create a naturalistic feeling in the small yards or larger plantings alike.
Thinking About Your Own Native Garden?
If you're searching for landscape design ideas that are low maintenance, pollinator-friendly, and full of activity, a native meadow-inspired garden might be the perfect fit.
We’d love to help you bring a custom, low-maintenance meadow-style garden to your home. Whether it’s a front yard refresh, a new backyard habitat garden, or a full property design and installation, feel free to reach out to discuss your project.
Native All‑Stars: 9 Plants That Help Pollinators and Landscapes Thrive
If you’ve been thinking about planting for pollinators, you’re on the right track. Healthy landscapes depend on bees, butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. The best news? Supporting them doesn’t require a wild meadow…just a few smart native plant choices.
Below are three of our favorite native trees, shrubs, and perennials to add real ecological value and year‑round beauty to your yard. Doug Tallamy’s research on keystone species that support pollinators and serve as host plants for caterpillars is a massive aid in selecting plants that are not only beautiful, but provide real ecological value in supporting the food web from the ground up.
Below are some of our favorite plants and the wildlife they support.
If you’ve been thinking about planting for pollinators, you’re on the right track. Healthy landscapes depend on bees, butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. The best news? Supporting them doesn’t require a wild meadow…just a few smart native plant choices.
Below are three of our favorite native trees, shrubs, and perennials to add real ecological value and year‑round beauty to your yard. Doug Tallamy’s research on keystone species that support pollinators and serve as host plants for caterpillars is a massive aid in selecting plants that are not only beautiful, but provide real ecological value in supporting the food web from the ground up.
Below are some of our favorite plants and the wildlife they support.
Our Top 3 Native Trees for Pollinators
White Oak (Quercus alba)
Why We Love It: Majestic, long‑lived cornerstone of eastern forests.
Pollinators Supported: Oaks host 500+ species of caterpillars—critical bird food.
Extra Benefit: Excellent shade and stunning autumn color.
River Birch (Betula nigra)
Why We Love It: Peeling bark, graceful form, thrives in wet or dry soils.
Pollinators Supported: Supports 400+ Lepidoptera species.
Extra Benefit: Fast‑growing solution for tough spots.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Why We Love It: Early spring flowers and fiery red fall foliage.
Pollinators Supported: An essential early nectar source for emerging native bees.
Extra Benefit: Adaptable to a wide range of sites and helps with stormwater.
Our Three Favorite Native Shrubs for Pollinators
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Why We Love It: Delicious berries and red fall leaves.
Pollinators Supported: Bumblebees, miner bees, and specialist blueberry bees.
Extra Benefit: Attracts songbirds with summer fruit.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Why We Love It: White spring flowers, white berries, and vivid red winter stems.
Pollinators Supported: Native bees and butterflies swarm its early blooms.
Extra Benefit: Perfect for rain gardens and erosion control.
Viburnum nudum (‘Possumhaw’ or ‘Brandywine’)
Why We Love It: Fragrant flowers and pink‑to‑blue berries.
Pollinators Supported: Over 100 caterpillar species plus nectar for small bees.
Extra Benefit: Glossy leaves turn burgundy‑purple in fall.
Three Perennials to Plant for Pollinators Now
Golden Fleece Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’)
Why We Love It: Compact, non‑invasive golden burst of late‑season color.
Pollinators Supported: Late‑season bumblebees, honeybees, wasps, and beetles.
Extra Benefit: Deer‑resistant and drought‑tolerant.
Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
Why We Love It: Lavender‑blue flowers into October.
Pollinators Supported: Vital nectar for migrating monarchs and fall bees.
Extra Benefit: Provides late‑season color when most plants have finished.
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Why We Love It: Tall stems topped with pink‑purple blooms.
Pollinators Supported: Swallowtail butterflies, bees, and wasps flock to its nectar.
Extra Benefit: Thrives in moist soils and fills big spaces with drama.
Why Native Plants Matter
Ecologist Doug Tallamy reminds us that native plants are functional ecosystem parts, not just decoration. Without natives, pollinators—and the food webs they support—decline sharply. A single chickadee brood needs 6,000–9,000 caterpillars; you won’t get those from non‑native boxwoods or lawn grass.
Ready to Support Pollinators in Your Own Yard?
You don’t need to rewild everything at once. Start by mixing in a few native trees, shrubs, and perennials that provide real food and shelter for wildlife. Every plant makes a difference.
Union Landscape Design specializes in landscapes that are beautiful, low‑maintenance, and ecologically grounded. Let’s craft a yard that buzzes, flutters, and thrives—naturally.
Summer Stars: 5 Native Perennials That Shine All Season Long
Summer in the Mid-Atlantic can be hot, humid, and occasionally accented with deer and drought. But designing with the the right combination of native perennials will create a landscape that doesn’t just survive, but thrives. These five native perennials are your landscape’s best defense against summer burnout bringing bold color, beautiful texture, and serious pollinator appeal from early summer well into fall.
They’re low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and drought-tolerant, which is perfect for landscapes along the Main Line of Philadelphia and at the beach.
Here are our top picks for keeping your garden gorgeous all summer long:
Summer in the Mid-Atlantic can be hot, humid, and occasionally accented with deer and drought. But designing with the the right combination of native perennials will create a landscape that doesn’t just survive, but thrives. These five native perennials are your landscape’s best defense against summer burnout bringing bold color, beautiful texture, and serious pollinator appeal from early summer well into fall.
They’re low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and drought-tolerant, which is perfect for landscapes along the Main Line of Philadelphia and at the beach.
Here are our top picks for keeping your garden gorgeous all summer long:
1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Color: Lavender-pink petals with bold orange-brown centers
Why We Love It: A magnet for pollinators, this classic native blooms from early summer into fall with very little care.
Deer-Resistant: Yes
Drought-Tolerant: Yes
Let the seed heads stand in fall to feed goldfinches and add structure to your winter garden.
2. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’)
Color: Vivid violet-purple flower spikes
Why We Love It: Bold vertical structure, compact size, and non-stop pollinator traffic make this a summer MVP.
Deer-Resistant: Yes
Drought-Tolerant: Yes
Works beautifully in sunny borders and native pollinator plantings.
3. Switchgrass ‘Shenandoah’ (Panicum virgatum)
Color: Green blades tipped with burgundy, deepening through fall
Why We Love It: A native ornamental grass that brings year-round interest and movement to the garden.
Deer-Resistant: Yes
Drought-Tolerant: Yes
Adds vertical drama and pairs beautifully with late-summer bloomers.
4. Golden Fleece Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’)
Color: Golden sprays from August to October
Why We Love It: Compact, pollinator-friendly, and totally non-invasive. A late-summer color burst!
Deer-Resistant: Yes
Drought-Tolerant: Yes
A must-have for supporting bees and butterflies in the fall garden.
5. Amsonia ‘Grande’ (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Color: Pale blue flowers in spring; lush green foliage all summer
Why We Love It: Beautiful spring blooms, but the show continues with full, willowy foliage that stays lush through summer and glows gold in fall.
Deer-Resistant: Yes
Drought-Tolerant: Yes
A native design secret weapon: elegant, low-maintenance, and always fresh-looking.
Why Use Native Perennials?
Planting native species helps:
Reduce water and maintenance needs
Support local wildlife and pollinators
Keep your garden looking great through heat, drought, and deer pressure
These perennials are proven performers for Main Line and Beach gardens and thrive in our climate.
Ready for a Native Garden That Thrives in Summer?
At Union Landscape Design, we specialize in native-focused, sustainable landscapes that look beautiful while working with nature—not against it. Whether you’re creating a pollinator paradise, a family-friendly backyard, or a front yard refresh, we’ll design a garden that shines through the seasons.
Let’s design something wild, beautiful, and built to last. Contact us today to get started.
Summer in the Native Landscape Along the Main Line
If you live along the Main Line of Philadelphia, you know the challenges: deer, hot summers, unpredictable rain, and a desire for beauty without endless upkeep. The good news? A thoughtfully designed native landscape can be both low-maintenance and visually stunning—while standing up to our region’s conditions.
Why Choose Native Plants?
Native plants are uniquely adapted to our local soils and climate. Once established, they require less water, fewer inputs, and minimal fuss. Better yet, many native species are unpalatable to deer, tolerant of heat and drought, and provide vital food and shelter for pollinators and birds.
If you live along the Main Line of Philadelphia, you know the challenges we face in the landscape: deer, hot summers, unpredictable rain, and a desire to have a landscape that maintains its beauty year-round, without endless upkeep.
In summer, the idea of keeping a landscape in top shape amidst hot temperatures rain, and travel schedules can seem like a daunting task. There is good news: A thoughtfully designed native landscape can be both low-maintenance and attractive while standing up to our region’s conditions.
Why Choose Native Plants?
Native plants are uniquely adapted to our local soils and climate. Once established, they require less water, fewer inputs like fertilizer and pest control, and less maintenance to keep them looking great. Many native species are unpalatable to deer, tolerant of heat and drought, and provide vital food and shelter for pollinators and birds.
Top Native Plants for Resilient, Deer-Resistant Gardens
These dependable natives are selected specifically for their ability to thrive in the Main Line’s variable growing conditions—from shady backyards to sun-drenched slopes.
🌞 Perennials for Sunny, Tough Conditions
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed)
Vibrant orange blooms, beloved by monarchs and serving as the host plant for generations of eggs and caterpillars. Butterfly Milkweed absolutely thrives in hot, dry soils and is typically avoided by deer.Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
Long-lasting flowers and easy to grow, deer tend to leave these attractive perennials along because of their hairy stems.Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ (Rough Goldenrod)
Late-summer blooms of bright yellow flowers make the landscape pop with dramatic form. Fireworks Goldenrod handles drought and poor soils well.
🌿 Groundcovers & Edging Plants
Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)
Low-growing spring bloomer that hugs sunny slopes and stone edges.Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’
A more compact goldenrod with brilliant yellow flowers in fall. Deer-resistant and great for borders or massing.Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge)
A graceful, lawn-like groundcover for dry shade. Minimal care and deer generally ignore it.
Shrubs That Provide Structure
Viburnum nudum (Possumhaw Viburnum)
Glossy foliage, spring blooms, and fall berries that support birds. Tolerant of wet or dry soils and deer-resistant once established.Cornus sericea (Red Twig Dogwood)
Beautiful red stems in winter, adaptable to sun or part shade. Works well in moist or shady spots.Leucothoe axillaris (Coastal Leucothoe)
A low-growing evergreen shrub ideal for shade. Deer-resistant and offers year-round structure with arching, glossy foliage.
Match Plants to Your Site—Not the Other Way Around
No two properties are the same. Some have dry, sloped front yards; others back onto shady woodlands. Success starts by choosing the right plants for the conditions you already have. When plants are well-matched to their environment, they thrive with less water, resist pests and look great year after year.
A Garden That Works with Nature
At its best, a native landscape isn’t just lower maintenance, it’s more resilient to the dynamics that impact a landscape in all 4 seasons. It grows better as it matures. It recovers from droughts, supports pollinators, and maintains its beauty even when you're not out there every weekend.
Ready to Reimagine Your Yard?
If you’ve been feeling less than satisfied with your landscape this season, or throughout the year, let’s design a garden that reflects your style and the natural beauty that exists along the Main Line. Feel free to reach out to begin creating your dream landscape, filled with low-maintenance plants and without adding extra work.
Designing with Native Plants: Creating Elegant Landscapes along the Main Line
There's a common misconception that using native plants means your garden will look wild, overgrown and stick out rather than blend into a more traditionally landscaped neighborhood.
The truth is, native plants can be used just as effectively and beautifully in thoughtfully designed landscapes that complement and enhance homes and neighborhoods along the Main Line and at the Beach.
Native plants are not just for meadows, wetlands and forests. When selected and arranged in the landscape with intention, native plants can bring structure, color, and year-round appeal to your home in any garden style. Whether your home leans classic or contemporary, you can use native species to create a landscape that looks polished, inviting, and perfectly suited to your neighborhood.
There's a common misconception that using native plants means your garden will look wild, overgrown and stick out rather than blend into a more traditionally landscaped neighborhood.
It’s understandable-often landscapes that have been created with native plants have emphasized the wildlife value or native roots of the included plants more than the aesthetic qualities of the landscape. The result is often a landscape that feels out of control with bulky plants right up to the edge of the property and flopping onto the sidewalk or overwhelming the surrounding space with plants that are too big and don’t maintain interest year-round.
The truth is, native plants can be used just as effectively and beautifully in thoughtfully designed landscapes that complement and enhance homes and neighborhoods along the Main Line and at the Beach.
Native plants are not just for meadows, wetlands and forests. When selected and arranged in the landscape with intention, native plants can bring structure, color, and year-round appeal to your home in any garden style. Whether your home leans classic or contemporary, you can use native species to create a landscape that looks polished, inviting, and perfectly suited to your neighborhood.
Design Principles Still Apply
The key is in the design. Using the same principles that guide any successful garden—layering, repetition, scale, contrast, and seasonal interest—you can achieve a native garden that is just as refined as one filled with non-native ornamentals.
Layering: Combine groundcovers, mid-height perennials, taller perennials, grasses, and taller shrubs or small trees to create depth and dimension. For example, Creeping Phlox beneath a grouping Prairie Dropseed, in front of Baptisia blue false indigo and serviceberry can create a lush, dynamic look.
Repetition: Echoing key plants or colors throughout your beds brings cohesion and intentionality throughout the entire landscape. Grouping plants like phlox or rudbeckia in drifts helps avoid a “random” feel.
Scale: Choose plants that match the size of your space. There’s a native plant for every scale—from compact woodland phlox for smaller beds to statuesque Amsonia 'Grande' for more expansive sunny settings.
Form & Color: Mix leaf textures and plant shapes for visual interest, just as you would in a traditional garden. Contrasting the soft, fine-texture grasses like Shenandoah Switchgrass with the bold color of Echinacea Purple Coneflower and summer blooming Liatris Blazing Star creates a dynamic combination of forms that look great in bloom and as the seed heads develop.
Seasonal Interest: By planning for bloom times throughout spring, summer, and fall—and including evergreens or plants with striking seed heads, you ensure your landscape looks alive and engaging all year. Combining berry-producing plants, shrubs with attractive stem color, grasses that persist in winter, and perennials like Husker Red Beardtongue that feature attractive seedheads and semi-evergreen basal foliage sets your landscape up to look great year round.
A Natural Fit for the Neighborhood
Using native plants doesn't mean sacrificing curb appeal. In fact, native landscapes can often blend more harmoniously with the surrounding environment. They provide a sense of place, reflecting the natural beauty of our region, while supporting local pollinators and wildlife. They also tend to require less maintenance, once established, and are more resilient to our climate.
Homeowners along the Main Line are increasingly embracing low-maintenance and sustainable practices and a well-designed native landscape can make your property stand out for all the right reasons. From tidy front yards with neatly edged native plantings to lush backyard sanctuaries filled with color and the buzzing of pollinators and other wildlife, native landscapes can be as elegant, beautiful and intentional as any formal landscape.
With native species and design in mind, your garden can be both ecologically rich and aesthetically pleasing.
A native landscape and the surrounding neighborhood don’t have to be at odds. From the Main Line to the Shore, native landscapes and beautiful homes can—and should—grow together beautifully.
Garden Goals: Low-Maintenance Native Perennials That Steal the Show
If your dream for the garden includes enjoying color and texture with less time weeding, this season is packed with powerhouse perennials that are native, gorgeous, and low-maintenance.
Bluestar Amsonia, Baptisia Blue False Indigo, Penstemon Eastern Beardtongue, and Blue-Eyed grass are a few of our favorite colorful, low-maintenance native perennials to look our for this season as spring stretches into summer.
If your dream for the garden includes enjoying color and texture with less time weeding, this season is packed with powerhouse perennials that are native, gorgeous, and low-maintenance.
Here are a few of our favorite colorful, low-maintenance native perennials to look our for this season as spring stretches into summer.
Amsonia – Bluestar
Amsonia is a genus known for airy blue flowers in spring, low-maintenance foliage that persists all season and turns a brilliant golden fall color. Plants are tough, drought-tolerant once established, and deer usually avoid them due to their sap.
Amsonia hubrichtii – With its thread-like foliage and soft texture, this species turns into a glowing golden cloud in fall. The foliage has a beautiful texture that compliments grasses, asters, and goldenrods in the late season landscape.
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Grande' – My favorite Amsonia. This variety has bigger blooms that last for weeks in spring. The bold foliage lasts all season and the broad leaves look awesome next to perennials in bloom.
Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' – Eastern Beardtongue
With deep burgundy foliage and tall spires of white flowers, ‘Husker Red’ adds a dramatic flair to borders and pollinator beds. It's a magnet for bees and the flowers shimmer in the spring garden. The foliage is semi-evergreen and maintains interest throughout the winter.
Baptisia australis – Blue False Indigo
This native perennial is a true low-maintenance legend. Once it’s in the ground, it takes off—with tall spires of indigo-blue flowers in spring and a shrub-like presence the rest of the year. The beautiful mint-green foliage stays throughout the season as the flowers turn into seed pods that provide a nice accent in the garden.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium - Blue-eyed Grass
Despite the name, blue-eyed grass isn’t a grass at all. This tiny iris cousin forms tidy clumps of narrow foliage with petite starry blue flowers that pop in spring and early summer. It’s perfect for edging paths, tucking into sunny rock gardens, or naturalizing in open spaces. Low-maintenance and high charm, this is a great perennials to add in a variety of landscape settings.
These native perennials aren’t just easy to grow, but look great in the Main Line landscape in May and support local ecosystems.
Whether you're refreshing a bed or building a pollinator paradise, these all-star natives deserve a spot in the landscape this season.
Warm Weather and Rain……Spring is HERE!
Spring is hands-down the best time to begin a landscape project. The ground is workable, nurseries are stocked with healthy native plants, and there’s enough growing season ahead for your new landscape to establish and show off by summer.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of transforming your landscape, even if you’re not sure exactly what you want yet, this is your gentle nudge.
Now’s a wonderful time to start. We can walk your property together, talk about how you use your outdoor space, dream up and develop something that feels right for you and your home.
Spring is here. Warm weather, cool weather, days and weeks of rain…..it is spring.
While the weather can be a challenge, I enjoy the dynamics of time on site installing plants, visits to nurseries, and rainy days moving designs forward.
Along the Main Line, spring is a powerful season as new and established landscapes emerge and come into bloom. Flowering Dogwoods, Serviceberries and Redbuds light up the understory tree layer.
Amsonia, Baptisia, Penstemon and Blue-eyed Grass fill in the native flowering perennials layer as the summer perennials are developing.
Spring is the busiest season in the world of landscape design anD installation-for good reason. After a long winter, spring has this way of reminding us what’s possible.
The energy in the clear mornings that follow rainy nights and the sense of plants actively growing carries such a strong presence.
When considering renovating your landscape, the rush of spring can be energizing….but also overwhelming. If you aren’t familiar with plants, the options for colors and textures and bloom times can feel endless. Like any other home renovation project, its nice to work through it in layers. Any project, especially one tied to your home, is personal and you want your landscape to be beautiful, functional, and a good fit for how you actually live.
Using native plants is a helpful framework for designing landscapes. Native plants are adapted to our climate, they support local pollinators, and they have a reliable natural beauty that’s hard to beat. Whether you’re looking to add a quiet woodland garden, a sunny meadow garden, or replace a section of underused lawn with something more sustainable, there’s a native plant palette that can bring that vision to life.
Spring is hands-down the best time to begin a project like this. The ground is workable, nurseries are stocked with healthy plants, and there’s enough growing season ahead for your new landscape to establish and show off by summer.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of transforming your landscape, even if you’re not sure exactly what you want yet, this is your gentle nudge. Now’s a wonderful time to start. We can walk your property together, talk about how you use your outdoor space, dream up and develop something that feels right for you and your home.
So here’s your reminder, in the midst of a busy-dynamic-sunny-rainy growing season: growth is possible and a simple conversation can often be the catalyst for getting your landscape started this season.
Spring Has Sprung: Time to Reimagine Outdoor Spaces
The key to any landscape looking attractive is thoughtful design. Strategic plant placement, defined edges, and seasonal maintenance can keep a native garden looking cohesive and attractive year-round.
One simple way to create a tidy appearance is by using lower-growing plants along the front edges of garden beds.Want to do something truly beneficial for the environment? Consider planting species that support our native butterflies and moths.
There's a huge sense of relief that comes with the first warm breezes of spring. Winter along the Main Line of Philadelphia can be long, but the days are starting to stretch a bit longer, the air feels softer, and the urge to spend time outdoors is irresistible.
Spring is a season of fresh beginnings and renewed energy. It’s a great season to enjoy your outdoor living spaces and make the most of the warmer weather.
After a long winter, Spring is an ideal time to consider how you landscape can provide not just beautiful retreat spaces from the day to day busyness, but also welcoming habitats for wildlife.
Seeing hummingbirds visiting Coral Honeysuckle outside your window while making coffee in the morning is an awesome way to start your day.
Monarchs, Swallowtails and Fritillary butterflies stopping by to feed on Milkweed, Monarda and Phlox brings a burst of activity to the perennial garden.
Imagine stepping outside to a vibrant, living landscape where the buzz of bees and the flutter of wings add life to your outdoor gatherings. Landscaping with native plants can combine aesthetic appeal with designed spaces where nature and people can flourish.
Now is the time to embrace the season and reimagine what your outdoor spaces can be. With a little planning and the right plant choices, you can enjoy a thriving garden that welcomes both guests and wildlife alike.
If you’ve been looking at your landscape and thinking it could do more, let this spring be the start of something beautiful. Your future self will thank you.
Native Landscapes: Beautiful, Not Messy
The key to any landscape looking attractive is thoughtful design. Strategic plant placement, defined edges, and seasonal maintenance can keep a native garden looking cohesive and attractive year-round.
One simple way to create a tidy appearance is by using lower-growing plants along the front edges of garden beds.Want to do something truly beneficial for the environment? Consider planting species that support our native butterflies and moths.
Many homeowners hesitate to consider native landscaping because they worry it will look messy or unkempt. It’s a common concern and understandable. We’ve all seen landscapes that have been left to “return to nature” which doesn’t always lead to the most attractive space.
The truth is, a well-planned native landscape can be just as polished and intentional as any traditional garden you see along the Main Line, while also offering incredible benefits for local wildlife and biodiversity.
The key to any landscape looking attractive is thoughtful design. Strategic plant placement, defined edges, and seasonal maintenance can keep a native garden looking cohesive and attractive year-round.
One simple way to create a tidy appearance is by using lower-growing plants along the front edges of garden beds. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata), Golden Fleece Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’), Homestead Purple Verbena (Verbena canadensis ‘Homestead Purple’), and Wood’s Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum ‘Wood’s Blue’) all add structured edges to the designed landscape, while providing vibrant color and ecological benefits.
By working with the natural beauty of native plants rather than against it, you can achieve a landscape that is both ecologically beneficial and aesthetically pleasing.
A native landscape doesn’t have to mean messy or overgrown but can be vibrant, structured, beautiful and uniquely yours.
Beat the Winter Blues: Plan Your Spring Landscape Now!
Well, here we are—another snow day. Winter can be exhausting!
But here’s the good news: spring is coming. And while the world outside might be frozen this week, now is actually the perfect time to use those indoor days to start planning your dream landscape.
By designing your landscape now, you’ll be ready to welcome warmer days by planting a yard full of vibrant native trees shrubs and perennials that attract birds and butterflies.
Want to do something truly beneficial for the environment? Consider planting species that support our native butterflies and moths.
Well, here we are—another snow day. Winter can be exhausting!
But here’s the good news: spring is coming. And while the world outside might be frozen this week, now is actually the perfect time to use those indoor days to start planning your dream landscape.
By designing your landscape now, you’ll be ready to welcome warmer days by planting a yard full of vibrant native trees shrubs and perennials that attract birds and butterflies.
Want to do something truly beneficial for the environment? Consider planting species that support our native butterflies and moths. According to the research of entomologist Doug Tallamy, these plant groups are among the best at sustaining caterpillars—the foundation of the food web.
Our 3 Favorite Genera for Supporting Lepidoptera:
Oaks (Quercus) – The ultimate butterfly and moth host, supporting over 500 species of caterpillars! White Oaks are one of our favorite canopy trees.
Cherries & Plums (Prunus) – Prunus serotina is an awesome Black Cherry that a supports for over 400 species of Lepidoptera.
Birches (Betula) – Beautiful and ecologically valuable, hosting 300+ species. Betula nigra River Birch is an awesome species in the landscape
Our 3 Favorite Shrub Genera for Supporting Lepidoptera:
Blueberries (Vaccinium) – Not just delicious for us—these support over 290 species of butterflies and moths and have vibrant fall color as the leaves turn orange and red.
Dogwoods (Cornus) – A stunning addition to any landscape, benefiting over 115 species.
Spicebush (Lindera) – The preferred host for the beautiful spicebush swallowtail butterfly and 9 species of native moths and butterflies.
Our 5 Perennial Genera for Supporting Lepidoptera…Too many perennials to limit it to 3.
Goldenrods (Solidago) – The gold standard for pollinators, supporting 125+ species of caterpillars. Our favorite selections inclued Solidago spacelata 'Golden Fleece' which is a beautiful groundcover variety.
Asters (Symphyotrichum) – Late-season nectar sources that host over 100 species. Beautiful light blue flowers cover ‘Bluebird’ Smooth Aster, as well as the shorter ‘Wood’s Light Blue’ varieties
Sunflowers (Helianthus) – Not just for seeds—these support 75+ species. Woodland sunflowers are a gorgeous option for the forest edge where they have room to spread.
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium) – A favorite of butterflies and essential for 40+ species. E. coelestinum has bright light blue flowers that light up the late-season landscape.
Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) – A bright and beautiful host for 20+ species. These perennials do well during the heat and dry conditions of summer.
So, while we’re all still bundled up and battling snow piles, let’s take a break and dream about sunshine, fresh blooms, and a landscape filled with butterflies and birds. Planning now means your yard will be ready to welcome spring in full bloom—and full of life!
Let’s create something amazing together!
Dreaming of Spring: A Landscape Designer’s Perspective
It can be hard to believe that in just a few weeks, the forest floor will awaken with the soft, dreamy blue of Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica).
These native perennials are one of the first signs that winter’s grip is loosening and the colors of spring are back and heading toward summer.
Though we’re still bundling up, spending most of our time indoors, now is the perfect time to start envisioning your spring landscape. Winter may seem endless, but before you know it, the ground will thaw, the days will stretch longer, and the first green shoots will emerge.
As we spend the last few weeks of winter indoors, sipping coffee and gazing out at snowy landscapes, take a moment to remember-and-imagine the transformation that is to come in the landscape. Picture the gentle nodding blooms of bluebells and the hum of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds returning to the garden.
Now is the time to sketch out ideas, research native plants, make tons of lists, and get a plan in place for the growing season ahead.
Snow is melting today, and spring will be here before we know it.
It can be hard to believe that in just a few weeks, the forest floor will awaken with the soft, dreamy blue of Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica).
These native perennials are one of the first signs that winter’s grip is loosening and the colors of spring are back and heading toward summer.
Though we’re still bundling up, spending most of our time indoors, now is the perfect time to start envisioning your spring landscape. Winter may seem endless, but before you know it, the ground will thaw, the days will stretch longer, and the first green shoots will emerge.
While winter can be a challenge for gardeners and designers, it offers a beautiful opportunity to plan, dream, and design spaces that will burst to life when warmer days arrive. If you’ve ever wandered through a healthy, established forest in early spring, you know the magic of native wildflowers like Mertensia bluebells, trilliums, tiarella, columbine and bloodroot. These plants don’t just bring beauty; they also play a crucial role in supporting pollinators, stabilize the soil, and create a balanced ecosystem.
While these native ephemeral perennials are signs of a healthy forest, they can also give a jumpstart to the designed native landscape. Bursting with foliage, flowers and seeds early in the season, they typically fade back as the warmer summer-blooming perennials fill in. The reds of Eastern Columbine, yellows of Senecio, light blues and purples of woodland and creeping Phlox are all beautiful additions to the spring landscape and combine well with Bluebells.
As we spend the last few weeks of winter indoors, sipping coffee and gazing out at snowy landscapes, take a moment to remember-and-imagine the transformation that is to come in the landscape. Picture the gentle nodding blooms of bluebells and the hum of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds returning to the garden.
Now is the time to sketch out ideas, research native plants, make tons of lists, and get a plan in place for the growing season ahead.
Snow is melting today, and spring will be here before we know it.
I Want a Native Landscape... But Not So Messy
When many people think of native plant landscapes, often untamed and chaotic spaces come to mind.
But here’s the secret: a thoughtfully designed native landscape can be just as elegant, structured, and refined as a conventional garden.
For homeowners along the Main Line, blending native plants with a classic aesthetic is not only achievable but highly rewarding.
When many people think of native plant landscapes, often untamed and chaotic spaces come to mind.
But here’s the secret: a thoughtfully designed native landscape can be just as elegant, structured, and refined as a conventional garden.
For homeowners along the Main Line, blending native plants with a classic aesthetic is not only achievable but highly rewarding.
Using principles of landscape design such as repetition, unity, variety, line, form, texture, color, and scale, you can create a space that feels polished while supporting local ecosystems. Native plants bring a natural rhythm to your garden as they flower in different seasons, but that doesn’t mean they have to look unruly.
When combined intentionally in a structured design, native plants can complement the architecture of your home and surrounding neighborhood, while being attractive and supporting wildlife.
Design Tips for a Classy Native Landscape
Repetition for Elegance
Use clusters of native plants like black-eyed Susans or Amsonia in repeating patterns to create a cohesive and harmonious flow. Repetition creates order, even in a more naturalistic setting.Variety for Interest
Incorporate a mix of native shrubs, perennials, and grasses to add depth and visual intrigue. Plants like winterberry holly and butterfly weed offer unique forms and seasonal color, ensuring year-round interest.Line and Form for Structure
Define pathways, garden beds, or focal points with clean edges and architectural native plants like inkbery or sweetbay magnolia. Their natural forms provide balance and structure.Texture and Color for Aesthetics
Pair fine-textured plants like prairie dropseed with bold-leaved species like heuchera. Add pops of seasonal color with blooming natives such as liatris or wild columbine to keep your garden vibrant and eye-catching.Scale for Proportion
Match plant sizes to the scale of your home and property. Taller natives, such as red-twig dogwood, can anchor a space, while low-growing plants like creeping phlox soften the edges.
Designed native landscapes can be beautiful, structured, and have a classic feel while supporting pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Whether you live in Bryn Mawr, Wayne, or Ardmore, a native landscape can enhance your home and align with architecture and timeless charm of the Main Line.
Welcome Spring with Native Flowering Trees
As the chill of winter begins to give way to warmer days, nothing signals spring’s arrival quite like the blossoms of native flowering trees.
Stepping outside and seeing the delicate white blooms of flowering dogwood, the vibrant pink of redbud flower, or the charming early blossoms of serviceberry trees are a welcome experience after winter.
Adding native flowering trees to your yard is an investment in year-round beauty and biodiversity. In spring, their blooms provide an essential food source for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects just emerging from winter dormancy. Birds are drawn to these trees, using their branches for nesting and later enjoying the fruits and seeds that follow flowering.
Beyond supporting wildlife, these trees are a natural fit for your garden being aligned with our region’s climate and conditions and match beautifully with the architecture in Philadelphia and along the Main Line.
As the chill of winter begins to give way to warmer days, nothing signals spring’s arrival quite like the blossoms of native flowering trees.
Stepping outside and seeing the delicate white blooms of flowering dogwood, the vibrant pink of redbud flower, or the charming early blossoms of serviceberry trees are a welcome experience after winter.
Adding native flowering trees to your yard is an investment in year-round beauty and biodiversity. In spring, their blooms provide an essential food source for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects just emerging from winter dormancy. Birds are drawn to these trees, using their branches for nesting and later enjoying the fruits and seeds that follow flowering.
Beyond supporting wildlife, these trees are a natural fit for your garden being aligned with our region’s climate and conditions and match beautifully with the architecture in Philadelphia and along the Main Line.
The seasonal interest of spring-flowering trees is one layer of their year-round beauty in the landscape: Spring flowers give way to lush summer foliage and fruit, followed by brilliant fall colors, and winter forms.
So, why not plant a piece of spring’s magic in your yard? By adding native trees like flowering dogwood, redbud, and serviceberry, you’ll create a landscape that’s as welcoming to wildlife as it is beautiful.
Let’s celebrate spring’s arrival by adding some native, flowering trees in the landscape.
Top 10 Native Plants to Brighten Your Main Line Landscape This Spring
Spring is just around the corner and there's no better way to celebrate the season than by enhancing your garden with beautiful, low-maintenance native plants.
Not only do these plants thrive in our area and blend in with the architecture of the Main Line of Philadelphia, but they also support pollinators and wildlife, making your landscape both vibrant and supportive of the local environment.
Here’s our list of the top 10 native plants to install and enjoy this spring:
Spring is just around the corner and there's no better way to celebrate the season than by enhancing your garden with beautiful, low-maintenance native plants.
Not only do these plants thrive in our area and blend in with the architecture of the Main Line of Philadelphia, but they also support pollinators and wildlife, making your landscape both vibrant and supportive of the local environment.
Here’s our list of the top 10 native plants to install and enjoy this spring:
1. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
This small tree bursts with pink-purple flowers in early spring, creating a stunning focal point in your garden. The flower buds hug the tree branches and absolutely glow in spring.
2. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Add a pop of delicate blue with these shade-loving perennials that bloom in mid-spring and naturalize beautifully. The mint-green foliage emerges and is followed by beautiful stems of blue-pink-purple flowers that shimmer in the forested garde.
3. Trillium (Trillium erectum)
Known for its elegant three-petaled blooms, this deep red trillium thrives in shaded woodland settings and adds a touch of grace to any spring garden.
4. Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Its red and yellow flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds, adding charm to any sunny or partly shaded area. Held atop delicate stems, these flowers bloom and gently seed in, enhancing the native landscape.
5. Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
This groundcover thrives in shade, producing sprays of white, foamy flowers in spring and lush, textured foliage year-round. A beautiful alternative to ivy, with gently rambling foliage and beautiful upright flowers.
6. Amsonia (Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Grande')
This versatile perennial features pale blue, star-shaped flowers in spring and feathery foliage that turns golden in the fall, adding seasonal interest. Getting multi-season interest from one perennials in yoru landscape is an awesome way to maximize your space.
7. Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
With deep blue flowers that resemble lupines, this hardy perennial is perfect for sunny spots and adds a sculptural element to your garden. The early season flowers are a great forerunner to summer blooming perennials.
8. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
This low-growing groundcover blankets your garden in vibrant pink, purple, or white flowers in early spring, ideal for rock gardens and borders.
9. Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
A charming native with delicate lavender-blue flowers, this shade-loving perennial is perfect for woodland gardens and attracts butterflies.
10. Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
A multi-season star, this small tree offers white spring blossoms, summer berries for birds, and vibrant fall foliage.
By planting these native species, you’ll create a garden that’s not only stunning but also sustainable. These plants are adapted to our region’s conditions, making them easier to care for and more resilient to pests and diseases. Planning your design and scheduling your installation will allow you to enjoy a landscape that comes alive with beauty and wildlife
Phased Installation: A Smart Approach for Main Line Homes
As a landscape designer along the Main Line, one of my favorite challenges is creating cohesive, beautiful native landscapes that enhance curb appeal, support local wildlife and matches client goals and budgets.
When thoughtfully designed, a landscape incorporating native plants can be stunning in bloom, have lower maintenance needs and be a budget friendly improvement to your home.
A major consideration for any project is the budget and deciding what is feasible for homeowners who are trying to move forward with projects while also planning and leaving a cushion for the unexpected.
Drafting a cohesive landscape design for your entire property and then phasing the installation for prioritized areas is an awesome option for beginning the process of transforming your landscape without feeling overwhelmed.
As a landscape designer along the Main Line, one of my favorite challenges is creating a cohesive, beautiful native landscapes that enhance the curb appeal of homes and match client goals and budgets.
When thoughtfully designed, a landscape incorporating native plants can be stunning in bloom, have lower maintenance needs and be a budget friendly improvement to your home.
A major consideration for any project is the budget and deciding what is feasible for homeowners who are trying to move forward with projects while also planning and leaving a cushion for the unexpected.
Drafting a cohesive landscape design for your entire property and then phasing the installation for prioritized areas is an awesome option for beginning the process of transforming your landscape without feeling overwhelmed.
Why Native Landscaping?
A native landscape does more than just look works in harmony with nature. By incorporating native plants, you’ll attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, improve soil health, and reduce water usage since these plants thrive without excessive irrigation. A thoughtfully designed native landscape also complements the timeless beauty of Main Line homes, blending classic architecture with the natural charm of landscapes in our region.
The Value of Phased Installation
While it’s exciting to imagine a fully transformed property, installing your new landscape in phases is a smart way to manage budgets while still achieving and enjoying immediate results. Here’s how we prioritize:
Start with the Most Visible Areas: We begin by focusing on the spaces that create a first impression, such as the front yard, main entrances, views from primary windows, and areas that are visible in the everyday coming and going from your home. These are the “wow” zones that boost curb appeal and create a welcoming entrance for guests.
Install Secondary Areas: Once the most visible areas are thriving, we move to side yards, backyard gathering spaces, and other less visible areas. By this point, you’ll already be enjoying the benefits of your new landscape, making it easier to envision how the next phases will take shape.
Flexibility and Customization: A phased approach also gives you the flexibility to adjust the plan as needed. Whether you want to add new features, prioritize specific plants, or tweak the design to reflect changes in site conditions from things like increased sunlight due to removed trees, it’s easy to adapt a plan that is already developed without feeling overwhelmed.
See the Benefits Right Away
One of the best parts of phased installation is that you don’t have to wait to see results. Imagine walking out your front door and being greeted by vibrant native flowers in bloom from spring through fall, swaying grasses, and the flurry of activity as pollinators visit your space. It’s an immediate payoff that improves every season and sets the tone for the rest of your home’s transformation.
If you’re ready to enhance your home with a native landscape, let’s design something that is uniquely yours. Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your vision, budget, and timeline one phase at a time.
Main LIne Landscape Design
When you think about designing your dream home, you likely focus on interior spaces. Kitchens, living rooms, and living rooms that reflect your style and bring you joy.
But what about your outdoor spaces? How do the outdoor areas serve to welcome guests to your home?
The landscape surrounding your home is a powerful first impression and can be just as important in creating a beautiful, cohesive environment and is worth considering along with the interior spaces.
Designing a low-maintenance landscape with native plants offers the perfect opportunity to elevate your home’s exterior appeal. In addition to inviting and supporting the local ecosystem, landscapes that require less maintenance can lead to major savings of time and effort.
The Main Line is a beautiful area.
When you think about designing your dream home, you likely focus on interior spaces. Kitchens, living rooms, and living rooms that reflect your style and bring you joy.
But what about your outdoor spaces? How do the outdoor areas serve to welcome guests to your home?
The landscape surrounding your home is a powerful first impression and can be just as important in creating a beautiful, cohesive environment and is worth considering along with the interior spaces.
Designing a low-maintenance landscape with native plants offers the perfect opportunity to elevate your home’s exterior appeal. In addition to inviting and supporting the local ecosystem, landscapes that require less maintenance can lead to major savings of time and effort.
Along the Main Line with historic homes and charming neighborhoods, designing a thoughtful and classic landscape with low-maintenance native plants is not only practical but also stunningly effective in connecting your property with the natural surroundings.
The Benefits of Native, Low-Maintenance Landscaping
Beauty: Native plants thrive in our local climate and soil conditions, which means they require less water, fertilizer, and general upkeep. Developing a landscape that looks lush and vibrant year-round is achievable when working with plants that “belong” here.
Environmental Appeal: Incorporating native plants not only connects your home to the surrounding landscape, but supports local wildlife, including birds, bees, and butterflies. These species rely on native flora for food and shelter, so your landscape becomes a haven for biodiversity. Whatever space you can provide becomes a small but impactful step toward environmental stewardship and gives you the benefit of seeing wildlife surrounding your home.
Cost-Effective: Lower maintenance demands means lower costs in the long run. Native plants typically require less water, no chemical fertilizers, and minimal pest control, making them a smart financial investment as well as an aesthetic one. Eliminating the need for monthly or weekly maintenance allows your landscape to develop sustainably over time.
Seasonal Charm: Native plants offer a stunning array of textures, colors, and blooms throughout the year. From the fresh push of growth in spring, through the lush flowers of summer, to the bold foliage and textures of fall and winter, your landscape can reflect the natural rhythms of the region.
A Holistic Approach to Home Design
Your home’s landscape is its first impression and the backdrop for outdoor gatherings A view from every window can look out to a beautiful natural scene. The spaces surrounding your home can serve as a outdoor retreat at the end of a busy day. By giving your outdoor spaces the same care and intention as your interiors, you create a seamless flow between indoors and out, enhancing your overall living experience.
Consider designing your landscape with:
Low-Maintenance Native Plants: Think of beautiful bluestar Amsonia in spring, yellow black-eyed Susans blooming in summer, bright orange Butterfly Milkweed serving as a habitat for Monarch butterflies, and Little Bluestem grass standing tall through winter. All of these native plants can be incorporated into any type of landscape design and will thrive along the Main Line.
Sustainable Features: Incorporate elements like natural, local stone for hardscaping and stormwater management areas on site to reduce energy use in construction and maximize the positive environmental impact of your space for the surrounding ecology
Outdoor Living Spaces: Create patios, garden seating areas, or fire pits surrounded by native greenery to encourage time spent outdoors. Extending your living spaces outdoors creates a beautiful atmosphere for day to day living and hosting special events. Seamless transitions from indoor to outdoor living spaces creates an elegant home experisnce.
Transforming your landscape doesn’t have to be overwhelming and you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re dreaming of a pollinator-friendly garden, a serene outdoor sanctuary, or colorful, show-stopping curb appeal, a low-maintenance landscape designed specifically for your vision and dream is possible this season.
Whether you are a planning a new home, remodeling before moving in, or preparing for long-awaited renovations, landscapes have the potential to inspire joy and create beauty as timeless and inviting as the homes they surround. Make this spring the season for wrapping your home in a beautiful and welcoming landscape
Top Native Plants for Supporting Pollinators along the Main Line
Installing landscapes with native plants can create outdoor spaces that are not only beautiful, but support wildlife and enhance connections to broader natural areas,
Designing with plants that are not only beautiful, but provide food and habitat to support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds is an extremely rewarding aspect of working with native plants.
As a landscape designer and gardener, I love the overlap between beauty and function.
Along the Main Line, we have the benefit of beautiful homes and established neighborhoods. Installing landscapes with native plants can create outdoor spaces that are not only beautiful, but support wildlife and enhance connections to broader natural areas,
Designing with plants that are not only beautiful, but provide food and habitat to support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds is an extremely rewarding aspect of working with native plants.
Here are some of my top recommendations for trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, and grasses to consider adding to your landsape. The number following the the plant name is the number of native lepidoptera species Doug Tallamy has recorded as being supported by similar plants in that genus
Trees:
White Oak (Quercus alba). 518. These gorgeous canopy trees are the iconic spreading oaks you imagine standing proud in an old field. Their spreading form and gently-lobed leaves are beautiful.
Hickory (Carya spp.) 233. A classic forest species with Shagbark being one of the most striking bark textures. Bitternut and Butternut are also beautiful species for.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) 119. Typically grown as a larger multi=stem shrub, Serviceberry provides a beautiful early spring flowers, nectar and berries loved by birds.
Shrubs:
Smooth Viburnum (Viburnum nudum). 97. Beautiful foliage, white flowers and late season fruit support wildlife throughout the groiwng season.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) 34. White flowers early in the season give way to bright berries in fall and winter that attract birds.
St John’s Wort (Hypericum prolificum) 20. Beautiful green foliage is covered with yellow blooms in summer. Bees love the abundant flowers and flock to it when in bloom.
Flowering Perennials:
‘Golden Fleece’ Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’) 112. Robust groundcover foliage carpets the ground all season. In late summer, spikes of bright yellow blooms emerge adding an awesome color and texture to the late season landscape.
‘Bluebird’ Aster (Aster laevis' ‘Bluebird’) 105. Beautiful smooth leaves on upright stalks lead to a flush of light blue flowers late in the season that are a magnet for pollinators.
Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) 15. Beautiful, silver-mint-green foliage emerges in spring followed by rich blue flowers. The sweet-pea shaped flower clusters are stunning.
Grasses:
Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) 36. For a shady location, these sedge provide a beautiful texture. As a nice contrast to broad-leaved perennials, sedge can help diversify a shady planting.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) 24. This soft textured grass begins to emerge in late-spring and summer as the temperatures rise. The airy seedheads provide a late season food source for birds.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) 6. Provides habitat and seeds for wildlife and beautiful tan stems that stay up all winter.
If you’ve been curious about how to make your home’s landscape have a positive impact for wildlife, adding any of these species will help your landscape become a haven for pollinators.
Right of Way
Gardening along train tracks might not be the most traditional setting , but it’s one of the most impactful projects I’ve undertaken. It’s proof that beauty and biodiversity can thrive in unexpected places. Even a narrow strip of land that would otherwise be ignored can become a landscape that wildlife and people passing by can enjoy.
Next time you’re riding the train through the Main Line, look out the window on the southwest side of Merion Station and you might see our plantings. Hydrangeas, Butterfly Milkweed, Baptisia, and Black Eyed Susans are some of the colorful plants that bloom and support visiting butterflies, bees and birds.
It’s a fun space and opportunity to reintroduce native plants and wildlife, giving them space and a shared “right of way.”
One of the defining features of the Main Line is the train. The sound and sight of the R5 Paoli-Thorndale train is a familiar backdrop, running behind houses, over and under major roads, and moving people between Philadelphia and the surrounding towns.
When I look out my windows and the train tacks are across the street.
Having access to the space between the curb and the tracks presents an awesome opportunity to try existing and new varieties of plants seeing how they perform in low-maintenance conditions.
The area beside the tracks is totally exposed to sun, wind and competition from roots making the most of the shallow soil. It’s also a right of way and used occasionally by workers to access the tracks for maintenance.
I’m constantly working to build up the layer of organic matter that exists above a bed of crushed concrete and stones. In that challenge is where the beauty of a well planned design with native plants emerges.
Native species, when paired correctly with site conditions and potential disturbance factors, will thrive and require little maintenance and minimal watering. This resilience makes them perfect for low-maintenance gardening.
The goal for the space is to create a landscape that’s beautiful, functional, and sustainable (meaning I can maintain it in the brief window of time I get on Saturdays while my children are napping). Some of the factors I have used in selecting plants to add to this area include: learning more about species that are recent introductions to the trade or are new to me; seeing the differences in drought-tolerance and how that can be applied in landscapes for clients: and providing long-season beauty and wildlife value. It’s always important that landscapes look attractive while providing nectar, seeds, berries, and habitat for wildlife in all seasons.
Some of the species that have done well planted and naturally occuring beside the tracks include:
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): This beautiful and tough perennial wildflower not only adds a pop of tangerine-orange color but also serves as a critical nesting and food source for monarch butterflies. It is one of the most drought-tolerant perennials and is incredibly durable once established.
False Indigo (Baptisia australis): Every spring, the beautiful mint-green leaves of Baptisia emerge, followed by clusters of blue-purple pea-shaped flowers. As a legume, this solid perennial is able to bring nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil, improving the growing conditions. Established plants feature a solid central mass of roots that can be divided and replanted in spring to increase quantity. Following their bloom, the foliage persists all season while the flowers turn into striking pods with seeds inside.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): The striking blue-green stems that turn reddish-orange in the fall are visible all along the train tracks, seeding in and growing out of the gravel base. They sway in the breeze and are perfect for adding texture and movement in the landscape and adding beauty that persists through winter.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): A cheerful, hardy flower that’s a favorite for pollinators and provides seeds for birds in the winter. Their gently spreading habit is awesome for dividing and filling in as needed, while their drought-tolerance and long bloom time makes them an awesome staple of the summer landscape.
‘Bluebird’ Smooth Aster (Aster laevis): Clouds of light-blue flowers extend from these upright asters in late-summer and fall. These durable perennials have a beautiful smooth leaf and their flower color combines perfectly with Goldenrods. The abundant flowers are a magnet for bees.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea): A small, multi-stemmed tree that offers spring blossoms, summer berries for birds, and gorgeous fall foliage. These were installed prior to my involvement with the space. The clouds of bright white flowers are an awesome sight in spring, followed by attractive fruit that is consumed by birds. While I typically think of Serviceberries as mor of a forest edge plant, they are a beautiful addition. here.
Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens): Its hard to beat the beauty of a hydrangea that blooms for months in summer. Annabelles are drought tolerant with their fuzzy leaves and their airy white flowers that last for months have made them a standout plant.
Once established, these plants have required minimal watering and chemical inputs like fertilizer and insecticide. Seasonal maintenance involves little more than cutting back grasses and perennials in late winter, mulching to keep the ground covered as plants fill in, and removing invasive weeds that would seed in and encroach on the space.
Gardening along train tracks might not be the most traditional setting , but it’s one of the most impactful projects I’ve undertaken. It’s proof that beauty and biodiversity can thrive in unexpected places. Even a narrow strip of land that would otherwise be ignored can become a landscape that wildlife and people passing by can enjoy.
Next time you’re riding the train through the Main Line, look out the window on the southwest side of Merion Station and you might see our plantings. Hydrangeas, Butterfly Milkweed, Baptisia, and Black Eyed Susans are some of the colorful plants that bloom and support visiting butterflies, bees and birds.
It’s a fun space and opportunity to reintroduce native plants and wildlife, giving them space and a shared “right of way.”
Landscape Design…DIY?
Is there a process for designing a landscape? Is it possible for someone to DIY their own landscape design and achieve good results?
Our answer to both questions is Yes.
Whether designing a courtyard in the Philadelphia, a small front yard in Narberth, or a full residential landscape plan for a home in Malvern, there is a process we use that helps us develop a cohesive landscape design.
Is there a process for designing a landscape? Is it possible for someone to DIY their own landscape design and achieve good results?
Our answer to both questions is Yes.
Whether designing a courtyard in the Philadelphia, a small front yard in Narberth, or a full residential landscape plan for a home in Malvern, there is a process we use that helps us develop a cohesive landscape design.
Create goals. We work to match a client’s ideal vision for their home and the way they use it regularly. Walking the space and listening to client goals is the start of any design.
Understand site conditions. While on site, we take notes of existing conditions like sun and shade, wet and dry areas, existing vegetation, existing and ideal circulation patterns. Assessing what is on site and should be preserved versus what can be removed sets the stage for the landscape design.
Develop a plan. Working through layers, the landscape design is created to be function, low-maintenance, and beautiful in all season. First we develop an evergreen layer of trees and shrubs to maintain “structure” year-round. After that, we work to develop winter interest with grasses, berry-producing plants, and those that have interesting stem color or structure in winter. The finals step is to fill in the herbaceous layer with grasses and flowering perennials.
By starting with client goals at the forefront, we work to make any design meet those dreams.
Whether your space is large or small, sunny or shady, open or private, creating a design for an outdoor space that fulfills your vision is possible.
If you feel comfortable following these steps, you are well on your way to a successful DIY landscape that you can be proud of.
If this seems like too much work or is way too complicated, we are always here to help!
Designing for Impact
It’s powerful to think that a beautiful landscape with native plants can have significant impact around your home.
If you are looking forward to spring and want to make a beautiful and positive impact in your landscape, its worth taking a look at Doug Tallamy’s work and considering what native species could be incorporated at your home to support wildlife.
5 years ago we set out to bring an idea to life.
I saw a lot of opportunity along the Main Line, Philadelphia area, and at the beach for landscapes that could be reimagined. It seemed like there was so much potential to see landscapes that are beautiful, feel connected to our region, designed to complement the architecture on site, and incorporate native plants to support wildlife.
As we get ready for a new planting season, I was reminded of the benefits for wildlife that can exist within in a native landscape design. Doug Tallamy’s work documenting the Lepidoptera species (including butterflies and moths) supported by plants has always had an impact on our designs. Choosing plants not just for their beauty but also their wildlife value can add significant impact to any landscape design.
It’s powerful to think that a beautiful landscape with native plants requiring minimal maintenance can lead to that level of impact around your home. If you are looking forward to spring and want to make a beautiful and positive impact in your landscape, its worth taking a look at Doug Tallamy’s work and consider what native species could be incorporated at your home.