Landscape developers and planners are becoming more environmentally conscious as more and more neighborhoods seek to support natural resources through sustainability and conservation. That philosophy suits most homeowners since they want their home to fit in with its surroundings and connect with the area’s colors and textures. One way to do that is by using Arizona native plants in the landscaping instead of bringing in an invasive species or even buying nursery plants. This way of doing business is popular in Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding metropolitan areas, even though desert conditions often mark the landscape.
Why is Landscaping with Arizona Native Plants Important?
Incorporating Arizona native plant life into your landscaping means using plants that grew in that space instead of being transplanted from outside the area. This concept is different from purchasing a plant from a nursery. Here are a few reasons why they are different, even between plants of the same species:
Local Plants Native to Environment
Local plants don’t have to adjust; they’re already home. Plants from a nursery that didn’t grow in local soil may take months or years to reach the same level of maturity and beauty if they survive at all. Beautiful, fully grown plants improve visual appeal, especially when you incorporate them into your design and build or remodel around them.
Plants Grown Locally
Plants grown locally retain their wild imperfections without the uniformity often found in nursery plants. Local native plants aren’t pruned and trimmed, so they don’t have a specific shape, and that lack of cultivation gives your home a lot of character and individuality.
Transplanted Plant Species
Transplanted species need more water to survive and thrive in the Phoenix area, and water is a resource that’s not always plentiful. Local plants need less watering, less care overall, and less time and money to maintain. They’ve been surviving on their own for decades, so they don’t need much help from people.
Desert Landscape Maintenance
The desert landscape doesn’t quickly recover when damaged. The more plants that developers, builders, and homeowners leave undisturbed and the more material returned to the original location, the better.
Beautiful Landscape Focal Points
A beautiful mature tree growing for decades makes for a breathtaking view as the focal point of your home. Not only does a majestic tree provide shade against the beating sun, but it adds a beautiful silhouette to the sunset horizon.
What About Existing Properties?
The concept of preserving and using Arizona native plant life and desert plants for landscaping is not just for new constructions. Owners of existing homes move away from sod lawns that require extensive irrigation and expense maintenance regiments. Instead, they’re choosing hackberries, cacti, and other trees that use less water. The City of Phoenix reports that, at one time, 70 to 90% of homes had turf lawns. That number is down to about 10%. Instead of replacing the natural plants with synthetic turf, more homeowners now welcome Mother Nature into their landscaping as she is.
What Kind of Plants to Use for Home in Phoenix, AZ?
Homeowners must plan carefully to save Arizona native plants and incorporate them into their houses’ design plan. They can’t be replaced easily with nursery plants. Many nursery plants can’t withstand the Phoenix area’s heat and dry weather because they never actually grew in it. Here are a few of the low-maintenance plants you may want to save if they are present on your property:
Desert Succulents
Succulents include the agave and aloe plants are characterized by spikes or sharp edges, so you don’t want them along your walkways, but they make lovely accent plants in less-traveled areas of your lawn. Succulents do well in poor soil, the heat of direct sunlight, and low moisture.
Shrubs and Grasses
Shrubs and grasses make excellent border plants, and some make good groundcover. Some of them bear beautiful flowers for a pop of color. Some of the most common are Texas sage, verbena, and dale.
Trees
Trees are priceless for shade, especially in the desert heat. Texas ebony, desert willow, and mesquite trees are standard in the Phoenix area. In larger spaces, the evergreen elm is a beautiful plant to preserve in your landscape design.
Flowers
Birds of paradise, evening primrose, and yellow bells are three beautiful local flowers that can give your landscaping a break in the typical coloring.
Learn About Landscaping With Arizona Native Plants Today!
Whether you’re renovating an existing property or building something new, contact Mesquite Landscaping to learn more about how you can incorporate Arizona native plant life into your desert landscape plans. We can help you identify ways to preserve the vegetation already present and other options for using native plants.
We have the expert knowledge to move native plants if necessary, but we’ll help you avoid that whenever possible. Mesquite Landscaping in Gilbert, AZ is your local expert on plants native to Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding metropolitan area. Call us at 480-238-2943 to schedule your free consultation today.
Image Credit / Kellie L. Folkerts, shutterstock