| From coast to coast the lawn is one the most | | | | gardens are low maintenance and provide your |
| ubiquitous garden features in the landscape. Though | | | | garden with a wide range of plants which add |
| all gardens require some maintenance, lawns require | | | | seasonal interest. In the dappled shade beneath |
| far more than most. Between fertilizing, weekly | | | | deciduous trees, perennials bloom profusely |
| mowing and other requirements such as aerating and | | | | throughout the spring months. In the shadier |
| thatching, lawns are among the most labor intensive | | | | conditions of the woodland garden in summer, the |
| and chemically drenched types of landscape. While | | | | spring floral display gives way to perennials and |
| some lawn space may be managed with little trouble, | | | | shrubs with rich varied foliage. Woodland gardens also |
| large vast, weed-free lawns should be rethought. | | | | provide a shady respite from the hot afternoon sun |
| Consider the alternative, introducing native plants | | | | of summer. In the fall, colorful leaves brighten up the |
| species into your garden. Reducing the size of your | | | | garden. |
| lawn and replacing it with a more low maintenance | | | | Wildflower meadows are another natural landscape |
| garden would be an environmentally friendly | | | | type. Meadows are noted for their easy |
| alternative. | | | | maintenance, wide diversity of plants, vibrant colors, |
| Natural gardens emphasize native plant species of a | | | | interesting textures and distinct seasonal changes. |
| local environment. Plants which are native to a | | | | Along with these aesthetic benefits there are |
| specific area have adapted to certain site conditions | | | | ecological benefits as well, including the reduced need |
| and are generally self sustaining. They'll need little, if | | | | for maintenance, the creation of a habitat for native |
| any, fertilizer and no more water than is provided by | | | | species of animals and the fact that wildflower |
| rain. Natural gardens introduce diversity to the | | | | meadows are very effective at trapping airborne |
| landscape and use trees, shrubs and perennials not | | | | pollutants. Meadows are relatively easy to create and |
| found in traditional gardens. They also provide a | | | | need minimal maintenance once established. The |
| garden with a sense of place. Lawns are everywhere | | | | reward is a colorful, self sustaining, low maintenance |
| and it's often difficult to distinguish a garden in New | | | | landscape. |
| York from one in Washington even though their | | | | All gardens require some sort of care and attention, |
| landscapes and climates are completely different. | | | | natural gardens, those requiring less of it, are no |
| Gardens which draw inspiration from the natural | | | | exception. As with any garden, you'll need to |
| environment are successful because they're easy to | | | | deadhead, prune and occasionally weed in order to |
| maintain and will thrive even in the most extreme | | | | encourage blooming flowers and healthy growth. |
| conditions. Planting a natural garden can help restore | | | | If you're attached to the more traditional garden |
| the landscape, attract a variety of bird species and | | | | setting you can still introduce native trees, shrubs or |
| provide the garden with a wonderful mix of under | | | | perennials to your garden. Many of them flower just |
| utilized, interesting plants. | | | | as beautifully as the ones commonly found in the |
| The woodland garden, for instance, is a landscape | | | | garden. |
| which focuses on the forest ecosystem. Woodland | | | | |