Pros and Cons of Landscaping with Native Sacramento Plants

You should always love your city. No home, no landscape, and no lifestyle is going to be thoroughly enjoyable if you do not have a passion for the place you live. Luckily, for those that live in and around Sacramento, including Roseville, Elk Grove, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and more – there is a lot to love.

It’s because of that affinity for the area that many people prefer to landscape their yard with native plants. For those that love their city, native plants represent a fun way to pay “respect” to that city while also achieving beautiful landscape design. But are native plants the best option?

Benefits of Native Plants

Native plants can be a beneficial choice for your lawn. They have several advantages over non-native plants, including:

• Environmentally Sound – First and foremost, a native plant by definition will be able to withstand the environment, which ensures a longer lasting landscape design. This is especially important in and around the San Joaquin/Sacramento Valley, because the hot summers and dry winters can otherwise hurt non-native plants. Native plants are generally able to thrive in the environment they are native to, and while the drought has changed that in some ways most of these plants are still going strong.
• Blend – Most Sacramento landscapes are designed to be “outdoorsy,” and to make the homeowner feel as though every time they go in their yard they are appreciating the outdoors. Native plants by definition are going to blend better with the surroundings than other plants, given that the colors and styles will be seen all over the city. Your home will not stand out, but still have incredible curb appeal – the perfect balance.
• Easily Obtainable – Native plants can be obtained easily and you know what you’re getting. They may even be better for upkeep – if something damages your yard for any reason, you can get your hands on another native plant in no time and get your landscape back to the way you want it to look as quickly as possible.

Weaknesses of Native Plants

Of course, native plants are not perfect. Just because something is a native plant doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for your property. Weaknesses of native plants include:

• Limitations – When you only work with native plants, you’re limiting yourself in color, style, and more. Native doesn’t necessarily mean better. You may choose a native plant when a non-native plant would look better and last longer on your landscape.
• Changing Climate – Native plants are constantly changing. Many plants have been introduced to this area and became “native,” and many more native plants are struggling in the changing climate. Defining what is truly a native plant is becoming more difficult, so depending on how true you want to be to the definition of native you may want to go a different route.
• Upkeep – Some native plants may require more work than a non-native plant. Even though native plants are adapted to the environment, the drought has left many people looking for drought tolerant landscape that requires less water, mowing, etc. If you’re looking for an easier yard, you may want a different choice.

So it’s not as though native plants is the best solution for everyone. They’re an aesthetic choice, just like all others. But for those that like remaining true to the Sacramento/Roseville area and want to potentially improve the likelihood of healthy, long lasting plants, native plants may be the best choice.

Learn more about native plant landscaping, and other landscaping ideas by calling Capital Landscape today at (916) 783-5080.