When deciding what type of landscaping to introduce to your Washington home, you may look to magazines, advertisements, or maybe your neighbors. One factor to consider as you plan out new plantings is what type of trees, shrubs, and flowers “want” to live in your yard.

All plants have a native region. Soil conditions, seasonal climate, rainfall and sun intensity are all factors that make certain vegetation feel at home in a specific place. In recent years, the goals of environmental health and ornamental beauty have merged in the upswing of naturalized landscapes made up of native vegetation.

This practice simply makes sense when you think about it. Landscaping that is native to a particular region will have an initial leg up on non-native cultivars. Naturalized landscapes are already attuned to their surroundings and require less intensive maintenance in order to thrive. Local vegetation will also attract native New England wildlife to your Washington property, which promotes a positive feedback loop of pollination and seed dispersion. By introducing naturalized landscapes, you increase your landscape’s viability while decreasing maintenance costs, all while promoting helpful native wildlife.