Novel Landscapes: using natives in traditional landscapes
Gail Hansen, PhD Environmental Horticulture Dept. UF
Urban Residential Landscapes • Residential yards- most under-studied ecosystem in the world
• Small, but high impact on humans
• 35% of total landscapes in cities
Novel Landscapes aka Novel plant communities
• Positive disturbance
• Responsive to climate change, catastrophic disturbance
• New species combinations
• Ecosystem function
• Adapted exotic plants can be compatible with an ecological approach
High functioning wetland
Science in the landscape
• Plant species• Growing
requirements• Ecosystem services • Biodiversity• Site conditions
Art in the landscape
• Beauty
• Engage the Senses
• Create Emotions
• Memorable
• Inspires
Adapted Plants
• Not native
• Not invasive
• Thrive inlocalconditions
• Add to biodiversity
Biodiversity- trait based or functional
• Functionaltraits of eachplant
• Ecologicalrole
• Ability tosupportother species
Turf vs Natural Landscapes
• Visual Preferences
• Perceptions
• Maintenance
• Landscape values
• Social norms
• Codes
Barriers to native plant novel landscapes
• Wild, messy look
• Different from neighbors
• Difficult to maintain- lack of knowledge
• Attract unwanted wildlife (snakes, rats)
Perceived characteristics of native plants
• Look like weeds
• Only look good when in bloom
• Not colorful-small flowers
• Look the same
Art and beauty- native plants in contemporary landscapes
• White flowers • Clearly distinguished form• Evergreen• Dense foliage
Aesthetics of Preferred Plants
Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
Summer Sweet (Clethra alnifolia)
• Colorful flowers • Full form• Large leaves • Coarse texture• Dense foliage
Aesthetics of Preferred Plants
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
• Palm fronds • Clearly distinguished form• Florida/tropical look• Coarse texture• ‘tropical’ flower
Aesthetics of Preferred Plants
Sabal minor
Coontie (Zamia floridana)
• Few, tiny flowers • Sprawling• Uncontrolled • Irregular form• Small leaves
Aesthetics of non-preferred Plants
Lantana involcrate
Sensitive Plant (Mimosa strigillosa)
• Small flowers • Spreading ‘thin’ form• Small leaves• Bare patches
Aesthetics of non-preferred Plants
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Dune Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
• Unpredictable flowering • Spreading ‘thin’ form• Scraggly when not in
bloom• Brown grass blades
Aesthetics of non-preferred Plants
Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Preferred characteristics - Drought Tolerant
Plant Characteristics:Can see-Small LeavesDivided leavesWaxy leaves- resin, oilsHairy leavesThick TrunkSilver/grey color leavesCreeping growth habitCan’t see-Extensive root systemsDeep roots
Preferred characteristics-Low Maintenance
Nice natural formClumping formStrong branches/twigsNo large fruits/nutsNon-sheddingSlow growingSmall leavesEvergreen
Preferred characteristics-Pest resistant
Waxy leavesChemicalsHairy leavesSpines/thorns
Preferred characteristics-Wildlife Habitat
Food source- berries, nutsColor- pollinatorsHost and nectar plantsShelter- dense foliageDifferent heights
Design for Maintenance• Easy to maintain • Type of maintenance
• Color, form and interest• Fit aesthetics of neighborhood• Naturally neat = looks better
Design for Environment
• Pest resistant, Less water• Fewer inputs
Plant Selection
Design for Aesthetics
Before
After
Converting turf to natives
Steve Turnipseed yard
Tips for Fitting In• Use turf or low ground cover
strip in the front yard
• Replicate the style of yards in your neighborhood
• Use large evergreen plants to provide structure and take up space
Tips for Fitting In
• Incorporate other materials-gravel, mulch, boulders
• Use pathways to break up plant beds
• Natives in traditional arrangement
• Architectural features/details on house
• Use bird feeders and bird baths
• Use garden walls and low fences to unify plants
Tips for Fitting In
Important Concepts
Turf is a catalyst for difference of opinion/discussion
Weeds catalyst for maintenance disputes-represent lack of responsibility
Important Concepts
Concern about being outside of norms is about maintenance not about native vs. non-native
Aesthetics not about how ‘pretty’- about plant selection, location, maintenance
Books
Questions?