This lovingly managed native garden enriches an academic setting with beauty, habitat, and outdoor learning opportunities. Our staff worked with this existing garden to improve its aesthetic appeal and accessibility.
Even small spaces can make a positive difference in the natural world. This pocket garden which was formerly overrun by invasive vines now blooms from spring through fall, providing food for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
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Sustainable garden design
Do wish you had a green thumb? Do you need inspiration to plan your landscape or garden? Our team provides habitat for birds and butterflies through sustainable garden design -- from container plantings to backyard refuges. Native plants, adapted to local soils and climatological conditions, can be installed directly into gardens or moved from containers into the ground each fall. Sustainability is about doing what makes sense, ecologically and economically. We started this business because we wanted to provide essential habitat, reduce landscape waste, and make a positive difference in a world that needs each one of us to make thoughtful choices. Click here to contact April Dickey Anderson or call 847.289.9760, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about sustainable native gardens Why should I include native plants in my garden? 1. Native plants are ecologically sustainable -- you don't have to buy and install them year after year (this saves $$), they're adapted to local soil, sun, and climatic conditions (this reduces the need to water or apply chemical fertilizers). 2. They provide essential habitat for wildlife -- having replaced naturally occurring ecosystems with pavement and bluegrass, our predecessors did not realize that "dominion" is not equivalent to "domination." We are stewards of an earth that needs us to good choices. 3. When planned correctly, native plantings can transform a simple yard into a sanctuary for humans to enjoy respite from the cares of the world. How can a professional native garden designer help? A good designer develops plans that reflect your year-round needs and interests. What are some "next steps" when it comes to developing a suitable garden? + Start small -- It's easy to want to re-do your whole yard and if you've got the time and money to spend, why not? I suggest starting with small, highly visible areas because then a client can have immediate gratification. I can even help you plant containers! + Be practical -- If you have pets and/or (grand)/children, you need to consider how they will relate to the landscape as well as anything you plant. + Know what you want (as well as what you don't) -- If deer like to visit your yard, you may have to change your plan so you don't provide an open buffet. This being said, you may still have problems that will require a variety of creative approaches. |