Garden Design

We recommend creating sustainable native plant gardens by designing with nature, not against it. By observing how plants grow in natural communities, we can apply those lessons to the landscape to create gardens that are beautiful, ecologically valuable, and easier to care for. When plants are thoughtfully chosen and placed, they naturally protect soil, suppress weeds, hold moisture, and support one another as the garden matures.

Planning Your Garden

Research Native Plants
Learning about native plants before you begin helps set your garden up for success. Use the resources on this site to explore different species, understand their growing needs, and see how they behave in the landscape. Pay attention to what you like and what fits your site so your plant choices feel intentional and confident.

Start Small
It’s tempting to tackle your entire yard at once, but starting with a manageable area makes the process more enjoyable and less overwhelming. A well-designed small garden is often more successful than a large one taken on all at once, and it’s easy to expand over time.

Choose the Right Location
Place your garden where you’ll see and enjoy it — outside a kitchen window, near a patio, or along a frequently used path. Visible gardens tend to receive more care and attention. Areas under trees, on slopes, or where lawn struggles to grow are often excellent candidates for native plantings. Existing garden beds can also be strengthened by adding native plants to fill gaps and increase diversity.

Analyze Your Site Conditions
Before planting, observe how sun and shade move through the space, how soil holds or sheds moisture, and where water drains or collects. Work with these conditions rather than trying to change them. Choosing plants that are well suited to your site leads to healthier plantings and a garden that’s easier to maintain over time.

Choosing Your Plants

Right Plant, Right Place
Match plants to your site’s conditions, including sun exposure, soil type, and moisture. Plants suited to their location establish more easily and thrive with minimal intervention. Also, choose plants that naturally grow together within the same habitat types. Prairie species function differently than woodland plants, and grouping species by shared conditions allows them to support one another as they mature.

Avoid Aggressive Spreaders
Some native plants are too vigorous for small gardens or mixed plantings. Research how each species behaves in garden settings and select well-mannered alternatives when needed. Aggressive spreaders can quickly dominate and require ongoing management.

Embrace Diversity (But Don’t Overdo It)
Diverse plantings are more resilient, support more wildlife, and provide interest throughout the seasons. Aim for a mix of bloom times, plant heights, growth habits, and flower shapes.
If you’re just starting out, limit a small garden to 8–12 species. Too much variety can be harder to manage and may feel chaotic rather than cohesive.

Use Grasses and Sedges as Your Foundation
Grasses and sedges provide a unifying texture that holds a planting together. While flowering plants offer bursts of seasonal color, grasses and sedges contribute structure, movement, and continuity throughout the year. Weave them throughout planting beds to create cohesion and provide a natural backdrop for bolder blooms.

Fill All Layers of the Landscape
In nature, plants occupy multiple vertical layers, from groundcovers to shrubs and trees. Designing with layers increases visual interest, habitat, uses space efficiently, and helps shade the soil, reducing weeds as the garden matures.

Plant Densely
Plan to purchase enough plants to space them closer together than traditional recommendations. Dense plantings allow plants to grow into one another, forming a living canopy that shades the soil, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. Over time, plants act as living mulch, reducing the need for wood mulch and lowering maintenance — just as they do in nature.

Design Principles

Define Your Edges
Clear, well-maintained edges signal intention and care in naturalistic gardens. Defined borders using stone, metal edging, or a clean trench help the garden feel intentional and welcoming.

Create Structure with Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs are the “bones” of your garden—they define spaces, create walls and ceilings, provide year-round structure, and offer crucial wildlife habitat. Place them thoughtfully to frame views, provide privacy, or create distinct garden rooms.

Arrange by Height
Place taller species toward the back or center of beds (depending on viewing angles) and shorter plants toward the front or edges. This creates visual depth and ensures all plants can be seen and appreciated.

Arrange to Your Taste
For a formal look: Group the same species together in clusters of 3, 5, or 7. Odd numbers look more natural, and repetition creates unity and visual calm.

For a naturalistic look: Intermingle species as they would grow in nature, allowing them to weave through one another. Plant in drifts and triangular groupings rather than straight lines.

See Sustainable Design at the Demo Garden