From Bare Ground to Biodiversity: Designing Your Own Native Plant Garden

Planning Your Native Plant Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a native plant garden is a rewarding endeavor, offering numerous benefits for both you and the environment. Native plants are perfectly adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, making them easier to care for and more resilient to pests and diseases. They also provide essential food and habitat for local wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and pollinators. If you’re a new homeowner in New Jersey, or anywhere with similar conditions, and looking to transform your landscape into a thriving ecosystem, this guide will walk you through the process of planning and planting your very own native plant garden.

Step 1: Assess Your Site

Before you even think about selecting plants, take a close look at your garden space. Consider the following factors:

• Sunlight: How much sunlight does your bed receive each day? Is it full sun (6+ hours), partial sun (4-6 hours), or shade (less than 4 hours)?
• Soil: What type of soil do you have? Is it sandy, loamy, or clay-like? You can perform a simple soil test at home or have it professionally analyzed to determine its composition and pH.
• Drainage: Does water drain quickly from the area after rainfall, or does it tend to pool? Good drainage is crucial for most native plants.
• Size and Shape: In this example, we’re working with an 8ft x 13ft bed, which is approximately 104 square feet. This is a manageable size for a new garden and offers plenty of space for a diverse array of plants.
• Deer Presence: If you have deer in your area, you’ll need to choose plants that are less appealing to them. This might limit your choices somewhat, but there are still many beautiful and effective options available.

Step 2: Choose Your Plants

This is the fun part! Based on your site assessment, select native plants that thrive in your conditions. Since we’re focusing on a full-sun, drought-tolerant bed, here are some excellent choices for New Jersey and similar climates. These plants are also known to be relatively deer-resistant, although no plant is completely deer-proof:

• For the Front (Short):

  • Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): A beautiful ornamental grass that provides texture and movement. It grows to about 2-4 feet tall and turns a lovely bronze color in the fall.
  • Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa): A vibrant orange flowering plant that attracts monarch butterflies. It typically grows 1-3 feet tall.
  • Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A classic choice with large, daisy-like flowers in shades of purple. It grows 2-5 feet tall and is a favorite of pollinators.
  • Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): A fragrant plant with lavender-pink flowers that attracts bees and hummingbirds. It typically grows 2-4 feet tall.

• For the Middle (Medium):

  • New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae): A late-blooming aster with vibrant purple flowers. It grows 3-5 feet tall and provides a late-season food source for pollinators.
  • Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida): A sturdy plant with bright yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. It grows 2-5 feet tall and is another valuable late-season food source.
  • Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): A cheerful plant with yellow daisy-like flowers and a dark brown center. It grows 1-3 feet tall and blooms throughout the summer.

• For the Back (Tall):

  • Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): A tall, graceful grass that provides height and structure. It grows 3-6 feet tall and offers winter interest.
  • Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum): A stately plant with large, fluffy purple flower heads. It grows 4-7 feet tall and attracts butterflies.
  • Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii): Another tall grass that provides height and texture. It grows 4-8 feet tall and has beautiful blue-green foliage.

Step 3: Plant Spacing and Quantity

• Planting Density: For a natural, full look, aim for a planting density of about 1 plant per square foot, which means 100 plants for your 104 sq ft garden. This will give your garden a lush, established appearance more quickly. However, you can adjust the spacing based on the mature size of each plant.
• Planting Arrangement: Consider the mature height and spread of each plant when arranging them in your bed. Place the tallest plants in the back, the medium-sized plants in the middle, and the shortest plants in the front. Group plants of the same species together for a more cohesive look and to create visual interest. Think about how the plants will look throughout the seasons.
• Calculating Plant Needs:
  • Example: If you plan to include five Little Bluestem plants, three Butterfly Milkweed, ten Purple Coneflowers, and ten Black-Eyed Susans, you can calculate the number of plants needed. Then, consider adding a few more plants to fill in any gaps.

Step 4: Preparing the Bed

• Clear the Area: Remove any existing grass, weeds, rocks, and debris from the bed.
• Amend the Soil (if necessary): Native plants are often well-adapted to the existing soil conditions, so avoid amending the soil too much. If your soil is severely compacted or lacks organic matter, you can incorporate a layer of compost or other organic matter to improve its fertility and drainage.
• Outline the Bed: Use a garden hose, rope, or landscaping paint to mark the boundaries of your bed.

Step 5: Planting Your Garden

• Timing: The best time to plant native perennials is in the spring or fall. This gives the plants a chance to establish their roots before the heat of summer or the cold of winter.
• Digging Holes: Dig holes that are as deep as the root ball of each plant and twice as wide. Space the plants according to the spacing guidelines you determined earlier.
• Planting: Gently remove each plant from its container and loosen any circling roots. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill the hole with soil, gently tamping it down around the roots.
• Watering: Water the plants thoroughly after planting and regularly during the first growing season to help them establish. Once established, native plants are generally drought-tolerant and require less watering.
• Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or wood chips, around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Step 6: Maintenance and Care

• Watering: Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
• Weeding: Regularly remove any weeds that appear in the bed. Weeds compete with native plants for resources and can detract from the overall appearance of the garden.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flower heads to encourage more blooms and prevent the plants from self-seeding if you don’t want them to spread too much.
• Cutting Back: In the late fall or early spring, cut back the dead foliage to the ground. This helps to clean up the garden and encourages new growth in the spring.
• Monitoring: Keep an eye on your plants for any signs of pests or diseases. Native plants are generally resistant to problems, but occasionally, they may need attention. Contact your local extension office or a native plant expert for help with any issues.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Garden!

Once your native plant garden is established, you’ll be amazed by its beauty and the abundance of wildlife it attracts. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Your native plant garden will not only enhance your landscape but also contribute to a healthier environment for years to come.

Additional Tips for Success

• Start Small: If you’re new to native plant gardening, it’s best to start with a small area and gradually expand your garden as you gain experience.
• Research: Learn about the specific needs of the plants you choose. Different species have different preferences for sunlight, soil, and water.
• Source Plants Locally: Purchase plants from local nurseries or native plant specialists. This ensures that you’re getting plants that are well-suited to your climate and soil conditions.
• Observe: Pay attention to how your plants are growing and adjust your care practices as needed.
• Be Patient: It takes time for a native plant garden to fully establish itself. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t look perfect right away. With proper care, your garden will thrive and become a beautiful and valuable addition to your landscape.

By following these steps, you can create a thriving native plant garden that will not only enhance your property but also benefit the environment. Native plant gardening is a rewarding experience that allows you to connect with nature and contribute to the conservation of our precious ecosystems. So, get started today and enjoy the beauty and benefits of a native plant garden!