Native Plants Can Still Feel Designed

One of the things I like about using native plants is that you can create a landscape that has real ecological value without making your property look wild or overgrown.

I think that's a common concern. People hear “native plants” and sometimes picture a garden where everything is growing in every direction, plants are flopping onto the sidewalk, and there isn't much structure. If that's not what you want around your house, I completely understand.

Native plants don't have to be used that way

We can organize them just like we would any other landscape. We'll think about height, form, texture, color, and how everything relates to the house. We'll group plants together, repeat certain plants to create some rhythm, and use contrast so the garden doesn't feel flat or repetitive.

The goal isn't for everything to be the same. We don't want the same height, the same texture, or the same color everywhere. We want enough variation to make the garden interesting, but enough repetition and organization that it still feels intentional.

The best of both worlds

You can have a landscape that feels full and layered, with trees and shrubs, grasses, and flowering perennials all doing something at different times of the year, while still keeping the edges clean and the overall landscape looking connected to the house.

What the plants are doing for the property

The other part that you don't necessarily see right away is what those plants are doing for the property.

Native plants can provide food and habitat for insects, butterflies, and caterpillars that are part of our local ecosystem. Once the garden gets established, you may actually start noticing some of that activity. And I think that's one of the fun parts, especially if you have kids. The garden becomes something you can watch and discover as the seasons change.

And you don't need a huge property to make a difference. Even a smaller garden, if it's thoughtfully planted, can provide habitat while making the house look better.

So if you like the idea of native plants but you're worried about the landscape looking messy, I wouldn't let that stop you. We can use native plants within a landscape that still feels clean, organized, beautiful, and very much designed for your home.

At Union Landscape Design, we use native and adapted plants to create thoughtfully designed landscapes for homeowners throughout the Main Line and Philadelphia suburbs. If you're considering a landscape renovation, this is a good time to begin planning your landscape.