Be PlantWise

Landscape Designs

Native plants are beautiful, versatile, and help maintain the ecological integrity of the landscape. Native plants are commonly used in naturalistic designs, but gardens designed with native plants don’t need to look wild.  Garden style relies on layout, hardscape, and methods of maintenance, as well as plant selection. The Landscape Design tool illustrates three different design styles that you can apply to your own landscape using native plants.

Formal Garden....download design pdf This garden demonstrates how native plants may be used to create a formal landscape. Design elements that support this style are a controlled framework of plantings and an architecturally strong hardscape. This design is based in symmetry, clean lines, sculptural plants, and geometric forms.
Traditional Garden....download design pdf The traditional garden is a cross between two styles; formal and naturalistic. It combines the elements of a somewhat formal hardscape with plants placed in a less structured arrangement. This design combines elements of naturalistic styles, using free form plants and formal styles incorporating a geometric layout and symmetrical organization.  Such gardens are popular in residential landscapes, providing a balance between control and informality.
Naturalistic Garden....download design pdf A naturalistic garden features native plants in an informal design. Four types of plant communities are represented here including a shady woodland area along the back and at the four corners, a short grass prairie/rock garden in the middle, sunny mid-grass prairies along three sides, and an aquatic habitat in the stock tank pond. High plant diversity provides necessary food, shelter and water that attracts wildlife, creating an ever-changing garden for year-round interest.