From Spring 2003
Native Plants in Your Landscape
If it’s true that imitation is actually a form of flattery, then designing home landscapes with indigenous plants is a wonderful way to pay tribute to nature. An attempt to replicate what "mother nature" has done over millennia can be intimidating, but it’s easier than you think. Recreating a piece of the Wasatch foothills in your front yard can actually take less effort than trying to maintain a traditional lawn suited for the East Coast.
Native landscapes are not only beautiful, they attract wildlife, making your home environment an alive and interesting respite from a hectic life. Working with native plants gives a greater understanding of natural ecosystems as one gets to see ecological interactions in progress. Planting currant shrubs with edible berries will bring fruit eating birds in the winter, and many of these birds fly off dropping seeds, resulting in dispersion for the plants. Penstemons will attract hummingbirds and bee species that perform necessary pollination for the plants while the bees get nectar for food and pollen for their offspring.
In addition to their beauty, planting native species make good economic sense! In a desert environment, with limited water resources, planting natives helps save our water for other uses, and protects our rivers and lakes. Native landscapes require fewer additional resources, such as fertilizers and gasoline powered machinery. Given that precipitation is below average once again, this spring is an excellent time to begin a native and/or xeriscape garden at home.
How do I transition from a Kentucky bluegrass lawn to native plants? Take small steps. Don’t try to convert your entire lawn in one year:
- 1. Identify a hot, difficult area in your garden, perhaps a 10’ x 10’ square.
- Remove grass or weeds currently in the area.
- Spend time observing that area. How many hours of sunlight does it receive? Is it sloped or flat?
- Become familiar with native plant species, especially those known to make excellent garden plants by visiting Red Butte Garden and taking part in the many available seminars, walks, and plant sale during Native Plant days.
- Choose four or five species and purchase three to five of each plant.
- Plant and water regularly for the first season.
In addition to native plant species, many low water-use plants from around the world can be planted, but must be done so responsibly. One should be careful not to plant species that could escape to become weeds (e.g. Dalmatian toadflax, Dyer’s woad). When in doubt, ask a horticulturalist.
Drought Tolerant Plants
With no end to the drought in sight, many of us are looking for flowers that can be grown along the Wasatch Front that are attractive but require less water. Here are a few waterwise perennials and annuals that are available at local nurseries. There are many more flowering plants that are drought tolerant and can be grown in most Utah gardens. Visit your local nursery for other suggestions.
Perennials:
- Achillea species - Yarrow (some species are invasive)
- Agastache rupestris - Agastache
- Aurinia saxatilis - Basket of Gold
- Delosperma cooperi - Ice Plant
- Gaillardia aristata - Gaillardia
- Gaura lindhemeri - Gaura
- Iris species - Iris
- Lavandula species - Lavender
- Penstemon species - Penstemon
- Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage
- Santolina chamaecyparissus - Santolina
- Sedum species (some species are invasive)
Annuals:
- Bachelor's Buttons
- Calendula (self-seeds)
- California Poppy (self-seeds)
- Cockscomb
- Coreopsis (self-seeds)
- Cosmos
- Globe Amaranth
- Marigolds
- Nasturtium
- Portulaca
- Tall Phlox
- Sweet Alyssum
- Zinnias
