Why Vermont Yards Thrive with Native Landscaping

Across Vermont, the usual landscaping formula of manicured lawns and non-native shrubs may look polished, but it often comes with real drawbacks. Homeowners face higher maintenance, increased chemical use, and stubborn insect issues that keep returning. These challenges are tied to a bigger problem: removing native plants while expecting native ecosystems to remain stable. Native insects rely on native plants, and those insects support the food chains that sustain birds, mammals, amphibians, and healthy soils. When native plants disappear, native insects struggle to survive, biodiversity declines, and pest pressures rise, creating a cycle of constant human intervention. Climate instability adds even more stress, since many imported plants can only persist through heavy watering, fertilizing, and pest control. Native landscaping offers a more innovative solution by working with Vermont’s real conditions. By observing sun, shade, soil moisture, drainage, and exposure, and planting native species that naturally fit those settings, landscapes become stronger, more diverse, and easier to maintain. Over time, a yard becomes more than decoration—it becomes a living part of Vermont’s ecosystem. Read Full story...

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