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The Master Gardener

4 min read
Landscape stock shot

By Margaret Sams, Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Washington County

In 16th-century England, wealthy landowners went to great effort to have sweeping landscapes of trees, colorful shrubs and wildflowers surrounding their estates. Grasses were considered weeds, and were picked out by laborers.

With the growing popularity of golf in the late 19th century and the advent of the lawn mower in the 20th, sculpted lawns of mown grass became the desired standard. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have promoted perfect, weed-free landscapes consisting of only a few species of grass. But, the costs of this image of perfection are the risks of water and soil polluted by pesticides and excess fertilizers, increased runoff from soil compaction by lawn equipment, the required time and cost of maintenance, and the loss of a healthy and diverse habitat for birds, pollinators and organisms that keep the soil healthy.

Many homeowners are choosing to implement more natural landscapes by planting native species of trees, shrubs and perennials, which add both visual interest and valuable habitat to a property. The inclusion of pollinator gardens, wildflower meadows, herbal gardens for the kitchen, woodland habitats and rain gardens are changing the face of the typical American lawn. Privacy screens between properties are reverting from stark fencing or a hedge of one evergreen species to layered plantings of trees, shrubs and perennials, which not only provide privacy, but add more color and texture to the landscape and increase property values. Perennial flowers and ground covers planted around standard landscaping shrubs now provide blooms and changing leaf colors from spring to fall. These types of plantings require less maintenance after establishment, almost no (if any) applications of fertilizers or pesticides, and encourage birds, pollinators and beneficial insects back into the landscape. In addition, a wider variety of plant species greatly reduces the risk of a specific plant disease causing catastrophic damage to areas where few species are present.

Incorporation of natural landscaping can be done in small steps. An existing bed of typical landscaping shrubs and mulch around a foundation can be widened and lengthened, and planted with perennial grasses and flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other important pollinators. If spreading ground covers are planted, these beds will only require occasional weeding, and the need for mulching will be reduced and possibly eliminated.

Instead of a simple circle of mulch around the base of an existing tree, plant additional trees and connect them with mulched beds planted with ferns and low shrubs, which provide winter berries for birds. Portions of these areas can gradually be transitioned into a woodland environment, with additional habitat for mammals and a wider variety of birds. In the fall, allowing leaves to accumulate and decompose over these naturally landscaped areas will feed the many soil organisms that are necessary to promote fertility, good internal drainage and healthy root growth. In addition, the eggs of many butterflies and beneficial insects overwinter on undisturbed, fallen deciduous leaves.

Some communities such as Seaside, Fla., have landscaping codes that require natural landscaping with native plants only, and grassy lawns are reserved only for playgrounds and gathering areas. Wildlife has returned in abundance, giving this community a unique character among beach destinations along the panhandle. However, many suburban communities across the country still encourage only the traditional conformity of weed-free lawns and typical landscaping. The gradual introduction of both beautiful and practical areas of natural landscaping can save money and time, provide additional and more diverse habitat, decrease the use of potentially toxic chemicals, and bring our neighborhoods “back to the future!”

Come visit the Washington County Master Gardeners at Ag Days April 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds. We will have presentations on birds, monarch butterflies and sun dye fabric in the garden. On May 11, the Master Gardener Plant Sale will take place at the Washington County Fairgrounds parking area blue building from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call Washington County Extension at 724.228.6881.

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