Naturalizing a city lot

This native landscape was installed on a small city lot. The site is shaded by a large Boxelder tree. The landscape will provide privacy from neighbors, a necessary consideration given the close proximity of the houses, a space to sit and relax and ornamental interest during all 4 seasons. Flowering shrubs and trees were selected both for their visual appeal but also for their attractiveness to birds and butterflies. With the right plants and a good design, bringing nature into, even a urban city lot is easy.

Species include Pagoda dogwood, Spice bush, Nannyberry, Winterberry, Summersweet, Red chokeberry, Oakleaf hydrangea. Perennial native flowers adapted for both sun and shade were also planted. The perennials provide colorful blooms and nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds during summer.

The yard was originially covered with several species of highly invasive groudncovers: Bishop weed and English ivy which needed to be completely removed before the new planting could be installed. The vegetable garden was left for the growing season but will be relocated and replaced with a brick patio.

this page posted February 20, 2008