HomeMy WebLinkAboutNarrative for 100_112 Washington AvenueNarrative for 100/112 Washington Avenue
My approach to nature based landscape design recognizes that we are part
of nature, which requires a deep knowledge of plants, patience and an
understanding that transforming a garden or landscape is a process.
The choices I make profoundly impact biodiversity in the garden by
encouraging sustainability, food webs, symbiotic relationships and
eliminating excessive watering, synthetic fertilizers, mulch, pruning, mowing
and blowing. Modern landscapes have upended our natural systems but it
can return with powerful force if given the opportunity.
When you plant the native plant species that wildlife depend on, you create
a habitat and begin to restore the local environment. The most reliable way
to achieve restoration is to assist the natural recovery processes and
supplement them to the extent actual recovery is possible.
Native plants are well adapted to our climate and soils and they have
established ecological relationships with native insects. Local insects provide
abundant food for birds, spiders, frogs and on up the food chain. Thus, a
native garden will be filled with song birds, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds,
and more.
The plant palette for 100/112 Washington Avenue is one hundred percent
native and has been chosen to create a functional ecosystem, working with
nature. I relied on the ecoregion (Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens) to provide
an understanding of geology, climate, water and soil conditions, and plant
and animal communities.
The layered design, also known as an ecotone, creates a gradual transition
between the different ecological communities: grassland, grassland with
perennials and tall grasses and a shrub layer. These communities create a
high functioningl riparian buffer to the wetlands.
The grassland layer is Natural Perfection produced by Lavoie Horticulture in
Granville, Massachusetts. It is a tall type fescue seed mix that is an ideal mix
for areas that need stabilization because it germinates quickly. The root
system of tall fescues can reach two to three feet deep, contributing to
drainage and superior drought resistance. Tall fescues are a bunch type
grass that grow in clumps and spread primarily through vertical shoots called
tillers. The line where the lawn blends with the Natural perfection will be
flagged to establish a proper mow line and will be observed in perpetuity.
The second layer incorporates native perennials and tall grasses with a low
rate of Natural Perfection seed mix. Providing a wildflower rich habitat is one
of the most significant actions we can make to support pollinators. The
Natural Perfection will act as “green mulch” to cover bare spaces between
perennials to help suppress weed competition; nature does not like a void
and will quickly fill it with weeds, frequently invasive weeds. Eventually, as
the perennials spread, they will outcompete the grass seed. Native
perennials and tall grasses have very deep root systems, some reaching
eight feet deep. This will contribute to stabilizing the slope. Additionally,
most of the plants are larval hosts to many moths and butterflies, including
the endangered Frosted Elfin and Early Hairstreak butterflies.
The shrub layer consists of three shrub types. Two of the shrubs, Myrica
pensylvanica and Clethra alnifolia, sucker prolifically and provide good
defense against aggressive invasive plants.
Wildlife benefits of the shrub layer:
Clethra alnifolia
-Larval host plant for several species of moths, producing food for bird
offspring
-Seed source, the seed capsules provide seeds that are eaten by birds and
small mammals during the winter months.
-Provide cover and nesting sites for birds and smaller animals
-Deer resistance
-Fragrant flowers draw pollinators
-Erosion control
-Deer resistant
Cephalanthus occidentalis
-Larval host plant for some butterflies and moths, including the endangered
Dion Skipper butterfly
-Seed source for waterfowl, shorebirds and some songbirds
-Flowers are a valuable nectar source for pollinators and hummingbirds
-Provides shelter and nesting for wood ducks and songbirds
-Stream and pond stabilizer
-Used for erosion control
Myrica pensylvanica
-Larval host for Columbia silkmoth
–Waxy, persistent berries are a key food source for birds, including bobwhite
quail, ruffed grouse, turkey, ring-necked pheasant, woodpeckers and many
songbirds
-Dense, evergreen provides cover and nesting for various wildlife
-Improves soil biology by fixing nitrogen, which benefits nearby plants
-Deer resistant
The shrubs will be planted in such a way to allow for full growth potential.
This will eliminate the need for pruning. Every cut on a plant is an open
wound for pathogens so eliminating this practice is beneficial.
A planting guide and maintenance manual will be provided to the stewards.
The perennials and grasses will be preserved through the winter to provide
food sources and habitat.
I will be on site to inspect the plant material and work with the installers to
place it strategically to minimize erosion after installation.
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT YOU PLANT. IT’S ALSO ABOUT WHAT YOU
REMOVE!
Special care should be given to remove the invasive plants prior to
installation. The Phragmites and Knotweed are rapid colonizers because they
did not evolve with indigenous plants, so they enjoy immunity from
indigenous pests and diseases and weaken natural systems. They
outcompete natives for space, light, water and nutrients. They virtually
contribute nothing to organisms in the native plant and animal community.
Ecosystems that are free of invasive plants function more efficiently and are
better able to withstand disturbances, are more productive and can repel
alien invasions. Restoration is dependent on removing invasive plants.
Please feel free to contact me with your questions and/or concerns.
Betsy Mitchell
Avant Garden Designs LLC
Ecological Focused Landscape Designer and Horticulturalist
bmitchell.ld@gmail.com
(914) 584-1681