Project Blog: Native Space Restoration
March 9th, 2023
We’ve converted 500sq ft+ of turf grass converted into native space!
This was a beautiful project of connecting two existing gardens in the front yard, and
creating a native privacy screen in the backyard!
The plants were chosen with privacy and ecological value in mind. In the front yard, we’ve
planted 3 Myrica pensylvanica (Bayberry) and 1 Prunus serotina (Black Cherry). The Black
Cherry is a host plant to over 450 species of butterflies and moths including Eastern Tiger
Swallowtails, Promethea Moth, and the Wild Cherry Sphinx Moth. The species Prunus,
Cherry, holds the second highest ecological value native to our region.
This has been planted as a succession plant to the number one plant in ecological value, oaks. Bayberries are semi evergreen shrubs that have a sweet scent to them. The white berries are favorites of Chickadees, Catbirds, Bluebirds, and many more!
The native privacy screen has been planted with 1 Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay
Magnolia), 3 Ilex Glabra (Inkberry), 2 Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Spicebush), 1 Cornus
racemosa (Grey Dogwood), and 3 Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry). The Sweetbay
Magnolia is a host plant to the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Palamedes Swallowtail, and
Sweetbay Silkmoth amongst many other species. Inkberries make great privacy plants and
are a host plant for the Henry’s elfin butterfly. The Carolina Spicebush is a great shrub for
nesting birds and hosts the Spicebush Swallowtail. Grey Dogwoods provide great value to
waterfowl, marshbirds, and shorebirds, as well as host the Spring Azure butterfly. Black
Chokeberries pollen supports the native mason bee, Coral Hairstreak butterfly, and Large
Lace-border Moth.
Both the front and backyard will have Rhododendron maximum added to them as well. 2 in
front to replace a 30+ year old Rhody that died and 1 to round out the privacy line.
Rhododendrons have a special value to our native bumblebees.
As you can see from the final pictures of the native privacy screen, the garden bed has
been freshly mulched using double ground material hardwood mulch, then topped with a
layer of leaves! This is one of our sustainable practices that we implement called,
Biomimicry.
If you’re interested in adding more native space to your home, please visit our website
SLSeco.com or call us at 484-202-0804 to book a consultation today