By Michael Hartman, Landscape Design/Sales
In the natural world, plants species are only found in places that have the proper environmental conditions to support them. These include soil type, annual rainfall, average minimum temperature, and a host of others. Typically, conditions have to be almost perfect in the wild for a plant to survive until maturity. If there is not enough exposure to light, for example, a lack of food production can be expected while too much light will lead to water loss. Similarly, if a seed becomes airborne and lands somewhere that does have proper conditions, it very well may sprout and grow but it will never flourish. The same can be true of plants that are imported to New Jersey from other parts of the country-- they may stay alive but they will never flourish like a native plant.
There are a number of benefits to using native plant specimens on your property. Since these plants have adapted to local environmental conditions, they will require less resources and less care than imported plants. Further, they will also start out more resistant to local diseases and fungus' than an imported plant. Within a few years most native plantings should not require any additional watering and little additional care. Consequently, a smaller amount of chemicals and fertilizers need to be used to keep the plant looking its best.
Often times a landscape design can become more about displaying man's mastery over nature instead of his understanding. A well planned native planting can provide you with all kinds of color, texture and seasonal interest and also complement the surrounding tree canopy. A mix of Rhododendrons, Mountain Laurels and azaleas, for example, are native plants that will thrive under the native hardwood trees that make New Jersey such a temperate and beautiful place to live.
About the Author: An outdoorsman at work and at play, Michael uses both sets of experience to bring Mother Nature's grandeur into your backyard. The steps you take with him in the design process will be collaborative, functional and educational. He feels that a fully realized landscape plan should be a marriage of design and forestry principles that protect your investment, and beautify your outdoor environment.