Our Work

Case Study:
A Front Yard Haven for Wildlife

The owners of this suburban home wanted to create a more wildlife friendly front yard but weren’t sure how to start. They had a few overgrown evergreens and some sun-loving perennials that were languishing in this shade-dappled yard. They knew they wanted larger beds with native plants and less lawn, and they were hoping to repurpose existing plants that would work in a wildlife-friendly garden.

We decided to keep a few of the small trees like the serviceberry, move a few existing shrubs to better locations, and expand and replant the perennial beds with natives that thrive in part-shade. We chose shorter, compact plants for a neater appearance in the front yard.

One year later, the grasses and perennials are weaving together into a front yard meadow that is appreciated by people and critters alike.

The Process

1 Understanding the Goals

We begin with a site visit to learn about the homeowner's goals and to assess the conditions of the site.

2 Planning and Design

After getting a full picture of the client's goals and the unique conditions of the site, we select appropriate plants and design the layout of the planting. If we need to install a project in phases, that is also worked out during the planning stage.

3 Site Prep

The site is prepped for planting. The method of prep can vary depending on the project. This can include installing hardscaping or other elements if the design calls for it.

4 Installation

Plants are installed. We follow up one month later to check on the planting and address any issues that may arise. Clients also receive a maintenance guide and the option of ongoing maintenance services.

...but why are the plants so small?

In order for a garden to provide ecosystem services, plants need to planted much more densely than in a traditional landscape. It's the way plants create habitat for wildlife, and it’s crucial in order for plants to function as a plant community.

To achieve this plant density, we need to plant as many plants as we can, and small plants makes that feasible. It’s not only more economical, but this size also allows us to place plants closer together, achieving density and diversity sooner. In addition, small plants recover from the shock of planting faster, so they actually "catch up" with the bigger plants by their second year.