No matter how nice it may sound, you can’t create a natural-looking landscape by simply “letting things go.” As appealing as that concept might be in terms of time and energy, there have been too many changes on most residential sites to make that a realistic option. This is especially true in newer developments where the original soil has either been badly compacted or removed completely, and much of the native vegetation has been removed and replaced with imported plants-and soil. The process of recreating a natural landscape involves conscious manipulation and design, often requiring the assistance of a professional horticulturist.

So, how do you go about designing a naturalistic garden? First of all, no matter how hard you try, you can’t design a landscape equal to the order, complexity, integrity and beauty of an undisturbed natural landscape. You can, however, learn about design from the processes and forms that occur in such natural landscapes. Sadly, there are few examples of undisturbed natural landscapes around anymore. The one exception would be our state and national parks, which are great examples of naturally evolved landscapes that can provide information and inspiration. The value of experiencing such places is twofold. First, there is great value in studying natural landscapes and native plants in the field, where one can hear, see, smell, touch and even taste them. Secondly, the study and enjoyment of natural landscapes is more critical than ever as more and more of our land is lost forever.

This naturalistic landscape serves as a perfect backdrop in a suburban landscape.

Lessons from Nature
An important concept to observe is the presence of plant communities or associations of plants that frequently occur together under specific environmental conditions within a particular region. A plant community may be defined as “a group of plants living at a particular place at a particular time.” Plant communities may be identified by some of the key species within them (i.e., beech-maple forest) or by their environmental characteristics (i.e., a flood plain). A plant community provides a framework within which we can approach the design of natural appearing landscapes. When these communities have not been greatly disrupted by human activity, there is an order and a visual harmony that results from the adaptation of those plants (over thousands of years) to that specific environment.

A native redbud tree is the dominant feature in a city landscape.

Designing the Naturalistic Landscape
The naturalistic landscapes we create are simplifications and a stylization of the natural landscapes they emulate. But they can and should have the essence of nature about them. The following are crucial steps for designing a naturalistic landscape, including some lessons we’ve learned from nature.

Site Analysis
An important first step is to gain an understanding of the environmental characteristic of the proposed landscape or garden site. Determine the soil type, sun/shade pattern, moisture and any existing vegetation. Regarding existing vegetation, we need to know the plants that are undesirable and, therefore, may need to be suppressed or removed. We also need to identify the desirable plants we want to keep that will contribute to a natural appearing landscape.

Space-Plan
The next step is to develop the spatial form of the landscape. There may be a pathway or series of open spaces in a garden. The form of these might well emulate a creek, river or woodland path. A river space, for example may be translated into a sidewalk or garden path or even a mulched area or lawn. Remember, we are acknowledging that the landscape or garden is a stylized form of nature.

Next, begin to map out “zones” of vegetation within various height ranges. For example, ground-layer plants are below three feet in height, middle-story shrubs and small trees are in the three to 15 feet height range and taller, and canopy trees are over 3­­­5 feet. Mapping out these zones, either on paper ahead of time or on the ground, is very useful in providing the structure of the landscape.

Sweeping curved sidewalks and sandstone boulders are crucial to this naturalistic landscape.

Plant Selection
Select the plant species for the different height zones of the plan. With an understanding of environmental conditions on the site and the needs of southwestern Pennsylvania native plant communities, you can select species from the appropriate communities for your naturalistic landscape. However, I don’t think that we have to adhere to a purist mindset and exclude exotic species (plants from other regions or provenance) in our designs. Just remember, there are precautions you must take in incorporating exotics. Avoid introducing species whose flowers will overpower the native species, and always avoid plants that are considered to be invasive (i.e., purple loosestrife, honeysuckle, barberry, privet hedge, etc.)

The massing of plants aids in the suppression of weeds and reduces watering.

Plant Placement
While it is unlikely that you can initially plant at the same density as natures does, the same principles of placement can be followed. Consider planting “drifts” of some species that appear to be flowing through the landscape. In some areas, consider placing random individual specimens here and there. If room permits, convert an area of your property to a care-free meadow using plants representative of our region. I like this idea as a means of reducing superfluous lawns (and mowing time) and the need for chemicals. At edges of the property, you may want to create irregular edges with plants emulating the edges you find in nature, particularly in the woodlands.

Drought-tolerant ornamental grasses play a key role in this courtyard garden.

Accept Change
Just as a natural landscape is ever-changing, so is a naturalistic landscape. In fact, it’s rewarding to see how plants will increase and migrate into hospitable niches. In the early years, it is important to watch for intrusions of unwanted aggressive exotic species that may take over or displace a specific planting. As conditions change (i.e., increased shade or increased sunlight), some plants may completely vanish. I view this as an opportunity to try a new plant that is suitable to this newly created environment.

Naturalistic Maintenance
The maintenance of any landscape or garden is often thought of as tedious and mindless. Fine gardening demands personal involvement not only in planting and renewal but in routine care as well. Seen in this light, garden maintenance is a creative and enjoyable process that fine-tunes the garden to the taste of its owner. The basic task of naturalistic landscape maintenance is controlling wanted and unwanted vegetation and providing for the plants’ water and nutrient needs. Often during prolonged hot, dry spells, supplemental watering may be necessary. A yearly spring feeding of any garden fertilizer in granular form will help maintain the nutrient levels. Occasional remedial pruning may be necessary in the case of trees and shrubs.

Dwarf fountain grass and viburnum species sets the tone for this naturalistic landscape.

In Summary
Naturally appearing landscapes do not just happen. But they can be designed, planted and managed so that they resemble the natural landscapes that inspired them and that are disappearing at a rapid and alarming rate.

If we all convert just a small percentage of our properties to a naturalistic garden, we will aid in preservation of not only our plant species but also many wildlife species. Additionally, we will be helping to improve the environment, reduce water usage and storm water run-off and aid in making our world a healthier place. Isn’t it our responsibility?

Richard Liberto is a landscape designer and horticulturist. Email: Libertodesign@comcast.net