Landscaping Secrets

Don't Fool With Mother Nature

The natural landscape surrounding some houses is so spectacular or unique that it makes sense to capture in it the garden. This is called the naturalistic style. Such a garden reflects the authentic look of a region without strictly adhering to a palette of native plants. Non-native plants can be included, as long as they blend in with the native flora and express seasonal colors and the casualness of the wild.

Naturalistic gardens can exist in the heart of the woods or the middle of a prairie. They emphasize the landscape, rather than the house, and generally lack foundation plantings. Maintenance is minimal because plants thrive on their own, and almost nothing is pruned or weeded. This kind of garden style looks good with vernacular architecture.