Desert Plants: Sustainable Landscaping
When beginning this topic, I quickly realized it could become a lecture on ALL of the United States regions, and their native plants. Not only each region, but also each state — and within each state, there are sometimes multiple regions. Ugh.
It’s not as simple as dividing the United States into north, south, east and west. Clearly, they all converge at some point and share characteristics of their directional cousins. The southeast for example, is an apple and oranges discussion when compared to the southwest. Florida vs. El Paso — both in the “south.” One is a swamp and hot as Hades — the other is covered in red clay and rock, with sparse vegetation — also, hot as Hades.
The Purpose of the Breakdown: On Native Plant Species
This isn’t a lesson in meteorology, zoology, botany or which all-season tires will work best on your local roadways in climate change. This breakdown is to provide you with some necessary information on what types of plants and trees you might benefit from in helping to add a slice of sustainability to your local Eco-system.
Again, in Florida, you know citrus will thrive, as will palms and several hundred other sub-tropical and tropical plant varieties. The native species in most U.S. regions flourish naturally, or they’re replaced by something that’s a little more exotic and foreign, but still able to adapt to seasonal change.
If you consider California from north to south, the state is immense. The lush pine forests you find in northern California will look nothing similar to the groomed jacaranda trees that you’ll find lining streets throughout the “So Cal Pacific” region. And even those are imports, like many other seemingly “native” plant species; in this case, the trees come from South Africa.
Why it’s Important to Plant Native Species
North American plants, or flora, including trees, all produce one thing that is lending a helping hand to our growing carbon dilemma, and that’s oxygen. Native plants are naturally occurring, yet they’re also able to thrive in a set region, regardless of season and regardless of soil.
Soil health is crucial to an environment that offers vast or specific plant life, whether it’s a towering oak tree as solid as steel, or grapevines spread across hundreds of acres. Local plant species offer back to the land what it has been offered, without robbing the ground of essential nutrients that lead to healthy, perennial blooms.
Choosing to Plant Native Species in Your Yard
Redbud Trees
There are several things to consider when planting species that are native to your region. First, examine your choices. One of the finest resources to take advantage of can be found at Plant Native where you can find detailed lists of native plant species that will thrive in your local environment.
For example, say you live in Billings, Montana, and want to know if a Ponderosa Pine might thrive in your back yard and lend a helping hand to the environment — the answer is yes. You’ll also find links and information for several local nurseries that specialize in ecological planting and native species.
The next thing you’ll need to consider is your space. If you’re hoping to fill a vast area of land that was once covered by trees, yet they were taken down for development purposes, by all means, knock yourself out.
However, if you live in a residential area in say, Nebraska, planting an Oak variety that may grow to 75+ feet in the next 20 years may not be the best option. Instead, you could consider a two or three Redbud trees that will offer beauty, and functionality to your landscape.
Take A Look Around at Native Plants in Your Area
When you consider a landscaping project or even planting one tree, you can really get an education from simply taking a drive around town or your geographical area. Throughout the Midwest, Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys and even into the great plains, there are so many plants and trees to choose from that you could create a landscape that would serve as a small botanical garden. You can say the same for nearly every region in the U.S., with the exception of the desert regions spread throughout the west and southwest.
For example, if you lived in a state such as Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, eastern Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, western Tennessee, northern Arkansas (the list could go on), there are so many deciduous and coniferous options shared by these regions. There’s also plenty of produce bearing plants, whether you want apples, walnuts or blueberries.
You’ll have to get specific to your little patch of land, as soil may vary greatly in a small stretch of land. Coming to mind are the Ozark Mountains, their red clay and rocks, while next door, Kansas enjoys soil as rich as chocolate.
When you’re serious about planting native species, contact your local conservation office. It’s great to establish a relationship with professionals who are not only experts in the field of local conservancy, but more than happy to educate you on how to give back to the land that you use.
(Images Via: Perennial Garden Plants and Front Range Landscape)
