Native Landcaping

Coneflower (Echinachea sp.). Photo by William A. Bascom.

Litzsinger Road Ecology Center’s mission to promote indigenous plant ecology and education is expanded to native outreach programs aimed at the urban gardener. Although yard size may limit a person from creating a prairie or savannah, a smaller, yet just-as-beautiful garden can be created using all native plants. Once established, a native garden requires less water and maintenance without the use of chemicals. Native plants support a wide variety of wildlife, bringing seldom-seen butterflies and birds to your yard.

Anyone visiting our site can view a small native shade garden with ground covers, shrubs, trees and flowers that provide bloom throughout the growing season, as well as offering lovely winter interest. We present exciting alternatives to typical ornamental plants found in yards everywhere. Currently, staff and volunteers are working on a savannah, with buffalo grass as a warm-season option to urban turf, and a rain garden as a means of exploring water run-off.

Plants sprout in the greenhouse. Photo by Eddie Jones.

Our efforts to introduce native plants into the urban landscape are supported by many volunteers and visiting educators who take their experience and knowledge back to their own communities, garden clubs, and homes.

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