Native Plants: The elegance of Western North Carolina

As taken from our article in Fine Homes & Design magazine for Western North Carolina Spring edition.

For over 27 years, we have been working with our clients on developing landscapes that embrace their personal needs, as well as what is best for the property and surrounding environment. The area of
Western North Carolina offers it’s own geographical uniqueness, one of elegance and beauty. It’s those ecological characteristics of this area which led to the growth of our company, and is the backbone of who we are today.

For us, natural landscaping can also be looked at as a spectrum. Think of one end of the spectrum as a land that will grow and develop into what resembles an untouched landscape. Overtime, it will cycle through stages that can only be replicated by letting nature take its course.

The opposite side of that would be one that completely manipulates the land to show no signs of native species or geographical characteristics specific to that region.

When choosing to incorporate native plant communities into their landscape, one must have an understanding of how those species work together with the geographical features of the land. The slopes of a mountain side would have different plant characteristics than that of a flatter valley location. All are equally important to the ecosystem, as well as you as a homeowner.

Natural landscaping is way to incorporate native plants and geological features in a way that mimics the ecological characteristics of pre-settlers. It’s utilizing the plants that have thrived in this region and applying that to a functional landscape design that is environmentally conscious, low maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing.

Environmentally Conscious

Utilizing native plants on your property has multiple benefits. From an environmental perspective, they fit perfectly into the ecosystem of that area. They have been evolving with those particular insects, animals, and other geographical features for thousands of years.

Native plants allow for the success of pollinators, birds and other animals in the area who have adapted to thrive off those regional plants. Birds, for example, utilize certain shrubs and trees of native plants to stay safe from predators, while at the same time use certain plants as a nutritional supplier with either the plant berries or the insects that prefer the native plant as well. Hummingbirds are provided a significantly more amount of nectar from native plants of the region in comparison to non-native or hybrids to the area.

The roots of many plants from this region are deep and can absorb extra rain water. As a property owner, this is vital to help run off from working against your home foundation or surrounding properties. For the rivers and streams, those plants help provide a filter which can then supply clean water for our community.

Finding the optimal balance between functional areas, such as turf and places of high use, and spaces for untouched native plant growth can reduce your carbon footprint. Letting nature take it’s course means less work and resources.

Low Maintenance

Think of it this way, if a native plant is thriving and filling up the space provided, then there is less room for weeds and other plants to grow. Understanding the land and what plants can be successful there will allow for easy maintenance down the road.

For example, in shady areas that need plants that grow in low light, certain native shade plants will thrive and need less attention. Species such as the Northern Maidenhair Ferns are beautiful plants that can grow up to 2 feet with long lacy fronds, which creates less space for additional growth and therefore needs less maintenance over time.

Using a more natural landscape with native plants will require less time, money and energy in maintaining the flow of the land.

Aesthetically Pleasing

In creating an individualized landscape, it is important that it is aesthetically appealing to the people who living there. We are an advocate of utilizing your natural surrounding, so functionality and aesthetics are incredibly important. If you don’t want to spend time in your landscape, or enjoy it, than it can’t benefit you to the fullest.

Many people often think that native plants aren’t going to provide them the aesthetics they are looking for or they will be full of weeds. Nothing could be further than the truth! In fact, by using plants that thrive in this area, you can plan out a landscape that provides color and beauty all year long.

When you are taking on the journey of utilizing a more natural landscape, you are finding the perfect harmony between functionality and the natural world around you.