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crucial. Once thought to be accidental, it is now known that roughly half of the invasive species plaguing our environment were brought into this country for horticultural use.
Importing plants from other countries, many of which have no biological controls here, has led to immense habitat loss. Our native species which came into balance after millions of years, simply cannot compete with the alien rampant growers.
Modem aesthetics of gardening are totally against the patterns in the natural world. Instead of planting flower borders of species that would never lay eyes on each other in nature, we could form ecosystems of plants found together in similar habitats.
Nothing would be removed from the system. Dead leaves and stems would compost where they fall or be redistributed throughout the garden. Plants would reproduce and change their locations.
No water would run off into storm drains but be captured and soaked into the ground right there. We would have spaces of complexity, diversity and cross-pollination.
How do we get there? Look at the structure of the landscape. There is a characteristic type of vegetation to each system whether it is woodlands, pine barrens or prairie.
Supply all the vertical layers: the canopy, understoiy, saplings, shrubs and groundcovers. Plant diverse species to attract diverse animals. Plants should be present at all seasons from spring ephemerals to fall asters and winter berries. “The garden design should be grounded in the natural context.”
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