Infusing Natural Plantings in Urban Ecosystems
The major plant communities of Minnesota include prairies, savannas, wetlands, woodlands and urban landscapes. Native ecosystems have plant species that have been thriving for thousands of years giving us the blueprint to design spectacular, low-maintenance landscapes for our own yards and communities. Elements of Minnesota’s plant communities can be incorporated into our urban landscapes creating landscapes that are natural, aesthetically pleasing, lower-maintenance, and sustainable.
Woodland area with mature oak trees that had buckthorn removed and will be replanted the following year.
Benefits of Using Native Plants
Lower-maintenance plants
An alternative to high maintenance lawns
Increased biodiversity
Require less water and no fertilizers
Attract birds and wildlife
Less insect and disease issues
Less impact on the environment
Elements of Natural Landscaping
Embracing the elements of natural landscaping should be a major role in the design, installation and management our urban landscapes:
Embrace plant diversity
Use locally grown plants
Maximize usage of on-site water
Minimize chemical usage
Minimize soil compaction
The use of green roofs or green walls
The use of on-site composting
Re-use wood waste on site
Minimize lawn and hardscape areas
Planting Native Landscapes
Planting efforts can create new landscapes, add to existing plantings or help restore old plantings. Adding natural elements to our urban landscapes can help us connect with nature. All of the following can be used to infuse a little nature into our lives;
Butterfly gardens
Rain gardens
Natural privacy borders and hedges
Lakescaping or shoreline plantings
Natural hillside and erosion control plantings
Woodland restoration
Restoration of Native Landscapes
Non-native, invasive plants have been posing a threat to many of our plant communities for years. The most common of these plants include buckthorn, garlic mustard and purple loosestrife. Not all non-native plants are bad, but many are damaging our local plant communities. These invasive plants out-compete native species, decrease biodiversity, diminish fish and wildlife populations and reduce economic yields of agricultural plants. Restoration many times begins with suppression of these invasive plants while correcting site conditions:
Control of invasive plants
Compacted soil alleviation
Soil amending
Plant relocation
Replanting of invaded woodlands, wetlands, or prairies
Propagation & re-entry of native plants
Wetland that will benefit from lakescaping to help with erosion, increase water quality, and to attract wildlife.
