Benefits of Natural Landscaping

Natural landscaping has many benefits over lawns and exotic gardening.   Native plants need little to no supplemental watering since they survive on natural rainfall along, thus conserving water (also known as Xeriscape or Green Gardening) [COAWPD].  Native plants have few major pests or diseases, eliminating the need for landscape chemicals and thus preserving water quality and reducing health risks [Wasowski 2000].  Wildlife suffers less due to the preservation or recreation of habitat including water, food, and shelter [TPW].

Natural landscaping also has aesthetic benefits.  By using native plants that have grown in an area naturally, a greater connections to the place we live in is achieved [Wasowski 2000].  Standard lawn landscapes are identical around the nation and lack a sense of identity or location, whereas natural landscapes reflect the region in which they exist.

The negative myths about natural landscapes are untrue [Rappaport 1993].  Natural landscapes do not harbor vermin any more than conventional landscapes (vermin live in garbage, not in landscapes) [Wasowski 2002].  Natural landscapes are not fire hazards because they consist of green material or light material that does not burn or burns too quickly to be a fire hazard,  Natural landscapes do not harbor more mosquitoes than conventional lawns and landscapes (in fact, they attract birds and predators that eat mosquitoes).  Natural landscapes produce no more allergy producing pollen than lawns or conventional landscapes (in fact, some botanists believe exotic plants in traditional landscapes produce more pollen than natives) [Wasowski 2000].

Natural landscaping also has monetary and time benefits as well.  Less maintenance is required since the native plants do not need fertilizer or constant watering, reducing maintenance cost of the landscape [Wasowski 2002].  Retaining the natural shapes of the plants reducing the amount of pruning and edging needed.  Native short grasses such as Buffalograss grow slower and shorter than exotic lawn grasses, reducing or eliminating the need for mowing (and the noise and air pollution created by mowing).  Native plants are tougher in the proper situation than exotic plants, reducing the expense of replacing exotic plants that have died.

Native plants and natural gardening are well accepted now [Wasowski 2000].  Gardening magazines (such as Texas Gardener) and publications (such as Texas Highways) include articles about native plants, habitat gardening, and natural gardening.  Governments organizations (such as the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department and Texas Parks and Wildlife), educational institutions (such as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center), and environmental organizations (such as the National Wildlife Federation) encourage native plant use, habitat gardening, and natural gardening.