How To Use Natural Landscaping To Give Your Yard Life
Natural landscaping, also known as xeriscaping, is a popular trend that involves using native plants and natural materials to create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape. There are many reasons why people are considering natural landscaping. Not only can natural landscaping save you a lot of money in the long run, but native plants are perfectly suited to your local climate and soil conditions, so they require less water, fertilizer, and pest control than non-native plants. In addition, natural materials like stone and wood are often more durable and longer-lasting than man-made materials like concrete and plastic. And because natural landscaping doesn’t rely on chemicals or artificial irrigation systems, it’s much better for the environment. Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce your environmental impact, or simply create a more natural-looking landscape, natural landscaping is definitely worth considering.
Natural Landscaping 101
A couple of content gaps we’ll want to hit on in this: are there principles of natural landscaping users should be aware of, let’s see if we can add in some local Utah terms, hit on any additional benefits
Natural landscaping design is a method of gardening that seeks to create a landscape that resembles a natural ecosystem. It typically includes native plants, natural stone features, and organic materials. The goal of natural landscaping is to create an attractive and healthy environment that is also easy to maintain.
The main principles of natural landscaping are similar to general landscaping principles, like balancing color, texture, form, and scale. But some principles are unique to natural landscaping. Principles like soil improvement, water efficiency, and plant zones are considered in natural landscaping before any significant design choices are made. For example, when designing a natural landscape, you consider how the light moves through your yard throughout the day, and then you choose plants that need more light and less water in your sunniest spots so you aren’t over-watering. If you choose a natural landscape, you might also spend extra time planning your sprinkler and irrigation systems, ensuring your water usage is as efficient as possible. The extra care and thought that goes into planning a natural landscape can feel overwhelming, but the benefits of a well-planned natural landscape are worth it.
There are many benefits to all natural landscaping. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil, so they require less water and fertilizer. They also provide food and shelter for local wildlife. In addition, natural stone features can add interest and beauty to a landscape without the need for chemicals or artificial dyes. Finally, organic materials, such as mulch, help to improve soil health and prevent weeds from taking over.
LEARN: Xeriscaping Ideas For Your Utah Home
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that natural landscaping is becoming increasingly popular. If you’re interested in creating a natural landscape design, we can help! With our expertise and award-winning designs, we have what it takes to create a beautiful natural landscape that will be the envy of your neighbors.
Ways To Bring Out The Natural With Landscaping
Xeriscaping and hardscaping are two popular landscaping methods that can be used to create an attractive and functional outdoor space. Xeriscaping is a form of natural landscaping that focuses on using native plants that require much less irrigation or maintenance than a traditional lawn-centric landscape. Opting for xeriscaping in your yard not only reduces your water bill and environmental impact but it provides an environment for your local flora and fauna to flourish. By increasing the biodiversity of your yard with native plants and less lawn, you boost your yard’s positive impact on your community. This type of landscaping is an excellent choice for areas that experience drought conditions or water shortages.
DISCOVER: Our Xeriscaping Portfolio
On the other hand, hardscaping uses man-made materials such as concrete, stone, wood, and brick to create paths, patios, retaining walls, flower boxes, and other structures. Hardscaping can be used to add visual interest to a landscape and can also provide functional elements such as seating, storage, and privacy. Hardscape materials can also be used to create more outdoor living spaces, whether that’s a pergola built with wood (think trailing plants like roses or ivy growing up the poles) or more patio space created with pavers (imagine an expansive space with plenty of room for outdoor dining and a grill) or even using a fire pit as one more spot to enjoy your natural backyard landscaping. Adding hardscape features like raised garden boxes or retaining walls also offers more dimension and visual interest to your yard without requiring tons of extra water to maintain.
When used together, xeriscaping and hardscaping blend seamlessly to create more outdoor living space, dimension, seating, storage, and privacy while you enjoy a more sustainable outdoor space.
5 Reasons To Use Natural Landscaping
When most people think of landscaping, they picture manicured lawns, trimmed hedges, and neatly planted beds. Natural landscaping can also be tidy and organized while offering some of these amazing additional benefits:
1. Natural landscaping can blend in seamlessly with surrounding natural areas, providing a sense of continuity and spaciousness. Additionally, more and more homeowners are looking for the aesthetic of natural landscaping when buying a home; well designed natural landscaping adds plenty of curb appeal to your home.
2. Natural landscapes are generally easier to maintain than traditional landscapes. Once the initial work of clearing and planting is done, natural landscapes require less additional care. The relatively easy maintenance of a natural landscape adds tons of value to the property, a huge selling point for many homeowners who opt for a natural landscape.
3. Natural landscaping can help to conserve water. By using native plants that are adapted to the local climate, natural landscapes require less irrigation than traditional landscapes. As a result, natural landscaping offers a sustainable and attractive alternative to traditional landscaping. (Keep in mind, it takes two years for your “native” plant to establish itself, so you will spend the first two years nurturing your new plants.)
4. Natural landscaping and using native plants do not require fertilization.
5. Natural landscapes provide a welcoming habitat for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and more.
Transforming Your Front Yard Into A Natural Landscaping Oasis
There’s a lot to consider when you decide to transition your yard to a more natural landscape. We’ve narrowed down some of the most important considerations you should be aware of before you start your natural landscaping journey.
Design Principles
The basic design principles of landscaping a front yard are color, form, texture, line, and scale. Taking these principles and applying them to a natural landscape design, you’ll want to consider how formal you want your space (straight lines with the same plant tend to evoke more of a modern vibe, while clusters of different plants are more “natural” looking). You’ll also want to consider scale; if you have a large tree in your front yard, how can you balance the large tree with another element (maybe another tree, tall shrubs, or even climbing vines on the exterior of your home).
Find The Right Plants
For a truly natural landscape, you’ll want to use plants native to your area. Visiting your local nursery is a great way to find plants that will thrive in your area, and asking for recommendations from the employees there is always a good idea. Take pictures of your yard, note the sun patterns throughout the day, and consider where your sprinkler system is to help you as you make decisions at the nursery.
Blending Natural Elements In Your Front Yard
Finding ways to blend features that have to stay in your front yard (like a walkway to your front door, driveway, or front porch) with natural elements can be tricky. But balancing the front yard features you can’t change with design choices you can change is doable when you incorporate rock features, add layers of plants grouped in odd numbers, add plenty of texture with different plant types, and add unique hardscape. For example, if you are adding a front walkway to your home and you want a natural aesthetic, opting for natural stone pavers rather than a white square paver will help enhance the other natural elements in your yard.
Enhance Curb Appeal With Natural Elements
Curb appeal matters not only when you are trying to sell your home but while you live in it. Your curb appeal is a way of introducing your property to the world, so making a good impression matters. There are many ways to enhance your curb appeal with natural landscaping, like adding retaining walls to hold more greenery or designing your flower beds to showcase the most colorful flowers in your natural landscape. Natural landscaping can add a welcoming, calming aesthetic to your home while reducing maintenance and water usage.
Creative Ideas To Make Your Natural Front Yard Pop
Natural landscaping doesn’t mean you can’t have a modern aesthetic. You can blend your more contemporary vibe with natural elements by adding more hardscape materials, like gravel and pavers to your front yard. Planting the same plant in a row adds a modern twist to a natural front yard.
Widening your front walk using pavers and gravel and adding more drought-friendly plants to your garden beds are easy ways to create a natural landscape for your front yard.
Putting some of your less drought-tolerant plants in a planter so you can bring them in on hot days allows you to have the plants you want without worrying about how you’ll keep them hydrated throughout the summer.
Need Help? Big Rock Can Help With Your Natural Landscaping Needs
At Big Rock Landscaping, we pride ourselves on being the experts when it comes to all types of landscaping. We are committed to delivering quality service that surpasses expectations. With an emphasis on transparency in our work and with each client’s best interest at heart, we are confident you will be satisfied by what we do! Please reach out to us with any questions or if we can be of service to you in any way.
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