Natural Landscaping, Creating Variety
by James P. Engel, © 2003
The woodland palette is quite large and this large and diverse
selection of species is what makes natural landscaping so interesting and attractive.
Not only are there the four groups of plants but there is so much diversity
within each group. Canopy trees offer a variety of leaf shapes, bark textures
and branching patterns. Actually limiting oneself to a few species can be rather
difficult, for each species offers some unique interest. Fall is the time of
year when the difference between tree species is most dramatic. Each species
displays a different hue of color.
Some of the finest native flowering trees are trees of the
forest understory. Dogwoods, cherries, redbud, serviceberry and siverbells fall
into this category. These plants are insect pollinated and the fruit of many
including the dogwoods; cherries and serviceberries are eaten and dispersed
by birds and other wildlife. Their flowers are very showy and fragrant to attract
pollinating insects and their fruits are large and nutritious to attract seed
dispersers. Most of these species are also widely used in horticulture today
so they are easily found in nurseries.
This page updated September 10, 2004
