Category Archives: Sustainable Landscaping

Native Alternatives to Overused Foundation Plants, Part II

Posted on June 10, 2020 by

In Part I of this article, posted last week, we presented alternatives to some traditional foundation shrubs that are considered invasive in Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. In Part II, we consider alternatives to other overused non-native shrubs. Continue reading →

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Native Alternatives to Overused Foundation Plants, Part I

Posted on June 3, 2020 by

In walks around my neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, I repeatedly see a limited palette of plants surrounding the foundations of homes and apartment buildings. The popular selections include euonymus, privet, cherry laurel, nandina, barberry, and Asian azaleas. Other favorites are boxwood, yew, burning bush, bush honeysuckle, and mophead hydrangea. While some of these non-native plant choices are benign, others are considered invasive in Northern Virginia and beyond, escaping from cultivation through the spread of their pollen and seeds.

Our Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Region offers many attractive substitute shrubs that can add beauty and diversity to the landscape while providing nectar, pollen, and fruit for the insect and animal species with which they have evolved. Read on to learn about the ornamental qualities and wildlife support offered by native alternatives for these popular alien shrubs. Continue reading →

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