A great way to celebrate the earth is to plant as many native plants as you can. Maybe you've already done that--your yard is full of natives of all shapes and sizes, you have brush piles for the birds, you wait to mow and to cut back your perennials, you leave the leaves... and sometimes you get in trouble for it. Or maybe you're about to embark on a pollinator garden makeover and are worried about town or HOA ordinances. Regardless, incorporating some of these tips in your yard can help identify it as a purposeful space. Let others know why it looks the way it does when it does (not just due to neglect), and consider using techniques to make it more appealing to the average homeowner (without sacrificing wildlife benefit). There are many tools for bridging the gap between sterile lawns and invasive hedges and wildlife-focused gardens--the more we encourage others to emulate rather than critique our yards, the more we can help the planet!

“Cues of Care” are landscape elements that are incorporated with the goal of showing others that your yard/gardens are intentionally managed.  This has become increasingly important for those living in cities, suburbs and HOAs, as many folks view wildlife habitats as ‘messy’ or as harboring/attracting undesirable animals and insects (rats, snakes, wasps, mosquitos).  While a balanced habitat rarely causes any pest issues (and often reduces them), and the way your yard appears should not matter to others, the reality is that there are (dated, often misinformed) ordinances in place in many neighborhoods.  And if you design a space that is beautiful as well as beneficial, and add elements that are widely considered appealing (water features, edging, garden art, pathways, etc), then you are likely to increase interest in your space and perhaps act as the catalyst for others to make similar changes to their yards.

Signage

A great way to spread the word on the importance of planting for wildlife is to qualify for and purchase one of National Wildlife Federation's Certified Wildlife Habitat signs.  They’re attractive and a great way “to communicate the impact and intent of your garden to neighbors.” We also recommend BeeCityUSA’s signs that you can download and print for free such as this Low Mow sign, or, when smothering grass/in the early, less attractive steps of a wildlife space, this Pollinator Habitat in Progress sign. The Xerces Society also offers a wide selection of lovely, informative options.

The NWF recommends that along with wildlife habitat signage, befriending neighbors and showing them the magic of your space goes a long way - a bit of personal connection, education, and beneficial exposure can quickly change perception.  Alongside that (if you’re not the chatty type, then maybe lean into these harder), there are some other cues that can make a big difference in the way your yard is viewed by others.  

Ornamental Natives & Nativars

Especially if you’re one of the only kids on the block with a native dominated space, then it definitely helps to incorporate as many ornamental natives as possible (and to design your space with some regard for color theory or texture). Including species and nativars with pretty blooms, interesting foliage and colorful berries can help with human appeal while also supporting wildlife.  You can also choose compact nativars to create a ‘tidier’ appearance -which means you have space to plant more!  (Read our blog on natives vs. nativars to learn that all native cultivars are not the same in terms of wildlife benefit, and that it is important to use wild type natives along with nativars or other ornamentals.)

Borders, Paths & Art

Other ways to help folks recognize your yard as a purposefully cultivated/curated space is to incorporate borders, fences, paths, hedges, and islands of plants.  This helps with the ‘tidy’ aesthetic - even if you let things go pretty wild within each planted/protected area, if you highlight or frame them to some extent it’s helpful.  Even better - add some stepping stones, boulders, garden art, bird baths and bird houses. And even the smallest of water features can provide critical wildlife support, bring beneficial and beautiful wildlife to your space and add a lot of charm. These all can make your space more enjoyable, easy to navigate, and more welcoming, while helping to calm any concerns or misunderstandings. 

And these updates don’t have to be pricey - simply using stones or large branches to delineate areas can be lovely! Incorporating these fences, borders and paths along the periphery of your yard is helpful also - you want to keep plants from falling over into sidewalks or neighbors’ yards to avoid complaints. 

These gardens are less than a year old and plants are still emerging in spring - yet they are very obviously curated spaces due to borders, benches and paths.

Sources: NWF, BeecityUSA & Xerces Society

Photos: Angela Esmond's lovely gardens!