If you’ve been wanting to incorporate more native plants into your garden, either for the wildlife benefit or simply for that touchpoint with your natural surroundings, it can feel like a challenge when you already have an existing garden. But the side yard, an often neglected area with tough conditions, can be an ideal place to get started with native plants.
Read more about how to design a native plant side yard at the Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens blog. I shared some photos and gave some tips from a lovely local garden I just visited.
Want to read more about native plants? Here are a few fun recent posts:
Planting native plants on balconies
4 responses to “Plant Natives in the Side Yard”
I recently planted a neglected space between two houses with natives. This space has been nothing but weeds for five years and more. I’m so excited about my infant shade/native garden. I planted CA Wax Myrtle, Red Flowering Currant, native ferns, Redwood Sorrel and Douglas Iris. I fudged a little and planted a rhody as well. I never would have thought that this space could be so transformed. Thanks for your help and suggestions.
Amanda, I am so, so happy to hear you’re making such progress on all your garden plans! You’re inspiring me! I have two side yards I have yet to take my own advice on, LOL. Soon, soon…
Well, it did take me five years. And the ivy disaster is gone!! Did I mention that? Planted more wax myrtle, huckleberry, and a purple hopseed bush. And now I have only to sit and wait for them to turn into a 8 ft hedge. *taps fingers*
YAY YAY YAY!!!! I’m clinking my class in your general direction. Ding dong the Ivy’s dead. Wow. You go, girl. This is amazing. You’re seriously inspiring me to get out and get some of my invasives outta there. I have a little patch of ivy myself, and a crazy holly that just won’t die. Just need to put in a little elbow grease.
I think your Hopseed will outrace everything else and will grow 3′ by the end of the year. That is my prediction. Will keep my fingers crossed for good growth on everything this year.