Plant Swap!
Most of us have common non-native landscaping plants such as Yew bushes, Spirea, Hastas, Daylilies, Knockout Roses, boxwood, Russian Sage, Zebra Grass & other ornamental grasses, and possibly even invasive species like Burning bush, Barberry bush, and Japanese Honeysuckle.
If you are looking to clean up or update your landscaping, swap your existing plants for native plants instead! Try Butterfly Milkweed or Golden Alexander instead of expanding more daylilies. Thinking about a boxwood? Consider planting wild indigo, or a native shrub like dwarf bush honeysuckle or Ninebark for more color throughout the year. If shade is becoming an issue, plant unique Iowa woodland plants like Virginia bluebells, red columbine, shooting star, or others.
Native Turf
Native turf uses native short or warm season grasses to create a lawn-like appearance. These grasses have deeper roots helping to improve soil quality which helps absorb more rain than traditional turf grass. Typically a mixture of Blue Gramma, Sideoats Gramma, and Buffalo Grass is used. These grasses will green up later in spring and require full sun. Once established, native turf requires little maintenance and will thrive in hot dry summers without irrigation.
Plant in a drainage swale or in areas of standing water
It is likely that you have spots in your yard that are consistently wet. If you struggle to mow areas because of wet grass, or if you are looking for an option to better manage drainage swales, try planting natives. Strategically using native plants in these problem spots will improve the soil’s ability to soak up water and can act as a buffer to help you better manage water flowing into or out of your yard.
You may not need to dig a rain garden with rock and/or an underdrain to manage stormwater. Simply planting natives can be a great solution in the right location. Stop fighting turf grass that won’t grow and plant it with native plants that can help you solve these problems in an effective and beautiful way.
Convert your turf for multiple environmental benefits
Did you know turf grass lawns cover 40 million acres of land across the United States? Removing turf and restoring it back to native vegetation is one of the most beneficial things you can do to promote better local habitat, water quality, and even help reduce carbon emissions. Even a small 10′ x 10′ pollinator garden could be beneficial.
If you are not using the lawn space on your property, it could be a great spot for more natives! Reduce mowing costs and time by having less high-maintenance turf.
Create a natural living fence
As much as we may love our neighbors, sometimes we are looking for a bit a privacy in our yards. Iowa native plants come in a variety of heights and colors providing many opportunities to create beautiful and multifunctional landscaping. A mixture of native trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers could act as a privacy barrier while also feeding the birds and butterflies. Incorporating native plants along existing fences could be a way to soften the look of fences or retaining walls and make your backyard feel more like a natural retreat. Take a look at these tips from the National Wildlife Federation about planting a “living fence.”
Native Landscaping Examples
