2
drops. If the drainage rate is
less than one-fourth inch per
hour, you will probably want to
improve the drainage with soil
amendments.
Check the soil pH, or acidity,
with an inexpensive soil test kit.
An acid soil can be neutralized
with lime, or you can plant acid-
tolerant plants such as pines,
holly, mountain laurel, or
blueberry.
The native plants that you
choose should be matched to
the physical conditions of your
site. For example, different
species of dogwood have
different moisture and sunlight
requirements. Flowering
dogwood grows in well-drained
places. As an understory tree,
it is shade-tolerant. By
contrast, silky dogwood is well-
suited to wet areas and full
sunlight.
However, versatile trees such
as the red maple grow in dry,
upland soils or in saturated
soils like those in wetlands. The
rule-of-thumb is to position
each plant where it will grow and
thrive.
You may need to make some
changes in your site to make it
suitable for native plants. If you
are planting native woodland
trees that require rich, organic
soils, you may need to improve
the soil by adding peat or
rotted leaves. Other changes
may include erosion control,
improving drainage, or loosening
surface soils.
Natural Plant Communities
In natural areas, plants grow
in association with other plants
that are adapted to growing
under similar conditions,
including light, temperature, soil
characteristics, and moisture.
The more you can mimic or
encourage natural plant
associations, the better your
chances of creating functional
wildlife habitat.
First, use the dominant
plants of a native plant
community as the backbone for
a planting area. You may not
have room to recreate an
entire plant community, but
you can suggest it by using
dominant plants. To suggest a
forest, plant the dominant
forest trees of your region (oak
and hickory in the East, for
example).
More diverse ecosystems –
whether woodlands, open
meadows, or wetlands –
attract a greater diversity of
animals. Therefore, by
choosing different plant
densities, heights, and
shapes, you can furnish a
variety of cover, camouflage,
and foraging opportunities
for wildlife.
Mimic woodland structural
diversity by providing three or
four layers of vegetation: upper
canopy trees; mid-level trees
and shrubs; a shrub layer; and
ground level plants. Mid-level
plants might include dogwood,
shadbush, viburnum, or
blueberry.
Note the number,
distribution, and placement
of species in the vertical
strata of natural areas near
you and duplicate this
arrangement to make the
plants in your habitat design
appear as if growing there
naturally. In larger areas, if
you have a field adjoining a
forest, encourage a gradual
progression of plants from
the edge of the field to the
forest.
Observe the way plants are
arranged together in nature.
Trees, shrubs, and grasses
that reproduce mainly by seed
grow in scattered patterns
Planning the Flora For Your Habitat
(1) Note the different combinations of soil, temperature, light intensity, and
wind exposure on your property.
(2) Identify specific areas of wet, heavy, or deep soils; shallow or rocky terrain,
full sun or shade; and existing plants.
(3) Choose appropriate native plants for each area, considering natural plant
communities of your region. From those, select plants for the canopy, mid-level tree,
shrub, and ground level layers. Consider how the textures, colors, and layers
harmonize and contrast with each other. Include plants that provide food and cover
for wildlife through all the seasons.
(4) Test your planting design by drawing sketches and diagrams. These drawings will
help you to allow enough area for plants, such as canopy trees, that will require
a large amount of space.
First draw the largest plants, such as trees, as circles on the plan. The diameter of
the circle represents the expected spread of the branches at maturity. Then add
large shrubs, smaller shrubs, grasses, and ground-level plants.
(5) Prepare the soil and plant your plants!
