Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum), coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), and bee balm (Monarda didyma) Image by Debbie Roos
With a little planning and careful plant selection, you can create an attractive native plant landscape that works in harmony with the environment to provide a haven for native wildlife.
Including native plants in your landscape can help offset habitat losses from development and the spread of invasive plants.
You don’t have to replant your entire yard all at once. Start by replacing a non-native invasive plant with a native one, or by replacing a section of turf with a bed of native plants.
Getting Started
Follow the steps below to design an attractive native plant landscape that benefits both you and wildlife. Why landscape for wildlife?
Step One — Map Existing Site and Vegetation — Create a base plan and identify the plants you already have. Are they native? Do they provide food or shelter for wildlife? Should you keep them or replace them?
Step Two — Identify Environmental Factors — Create a site analysis identifying what you have to offer plants. Map sun, wind, sight, sound, and drainage patterns.
Steps Three and Four — Identify Human and Wildlife Activities and Uses. All wildlife needs food, water, and cover. Some wildlife have additional needs, including specific plant species, careful arrangement of plant types, and feeders, nest boxes, and water features.
Step Five — Design a Native Plant Landscape – Create a design with canopy, shrub, and ground-level habitat in mind. Develop a plant list.
Step Six — Installing and Maintaining a Wildlife-Friendly Landscape: This section covers where to get native plants, how to prepare the site, and how to install the plants, as well as essential maintenance strategies for sustainability.
This site is based on content prepared by Dr. Christopher Moorman and Patricia Lindsay. The initial project was funded by the NC Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, Renewable Resources Extension Act, and North Carolina State University.
Additional Information
N.C. Cooperative Extension Publications
- Managing Backyards and Other Urban Habitats for Birds,
- Butterflies in Your Backyard,
- Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants, and
- Reptiles and Amphibians in Your Backyard.
