Landscape Planning

By Dennis Pinkard, Master Gardener and GHHA Board Member

 

As we pass through the new year we already begin to start thinking about Spring and the warm weather.  Among the things on our list are our plans for landscape upgrades or changes.  This is the time to start solidifying your ideas and plans.  We encourage you to work with our Architecture Review Committee (ARC) for any substantial changes to your landscape.

 

If you want to plant or transplant shrubs or small trees, this is the time to do it.  Do it before it gets warm.  New plantings and transplants will need some watering between rains until established.  Always plan for the mature size of plantings and look around for potential hazards - underground utilities, irrigation pipes, closeness to the house, street or fence, blocking safety views at corners or at street signs, etc.

 

When selecting plants for your yard keep in mind that native trees, shrubs, and vines provide feed for insects, birds and other animals to a far greater extent than do alien ornamentals.  Native wildlife depends on native plant species to raise their young.  We all need to look ahead at what we can do to provide for our native wildlife.  Often it begins with each of us, one shrub or tree at a time, to look at what is in our yard with an eye toward how we can make a difference.  Choosing native plant species fortifies native birds and wildlife because our wildlife has evolved with native plants. Birds feed their young insects and insects survive on native plants.

 

Some native shrubs and small trees to consider: redbud, flowering dogwood, oakleaf hydrangea, American holly, box elder, native azaleas (usually deciduous), and doghobble.  Some native trees include: river birch, red and silver maple, white ash, oaks, tulip tree and black gum.

 

We can all help by asking our landscapers and nurseries for native plants.  Slowly they will get the message that it is important to us in the public.  It is also important to the future of our native insects, birds and other wildlife.

“If you want to plant or transplant shrubs or small trees, this is the time to do it.”