Regardless of the size of the area you have available, you can have a native planting. This garden is along the south property line of the homeowner. The family had installed some plants, but didn’t have the time to complete the project. We at Nature’s Way were able to pick up where they had left off. First, we edged the garden and cleared the area, leaving the native plants that were already installed (picture 1). Because the area is rather small we decided the best option was to install small plants, called plugs. (picture 2). Installing plugs has several advantages in a small planting. You can control where the plants will go (you don’t want a 7’ Indian Plantain growing in the front), the “showier” plants can be placed so they can easily be seen from the house or outdoor living area, and lastly, you will have a planting much quicker. In a season or two you have a beautiful prairie (picture 3)

This prairie is not large but provides food and cover for many pollinators, including bees, butterflies and birds. It also brings hours of enjoyment to the homeowners. Located not far from the patio, they are able to watch the antics of the birds and other critters, as they bounce from one plant to the next.

Several years later the planting has continued to thrive, filling in all the open space. Now, instead of intense weeding every year, just minimal maintenance is required. Because the space is filled with native plants, the weeds are unable to find a foothold in the planting.