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?