Today, many garden clubs and other community groups promote landscapes that support nature. Meadowscaping, all-native plantings, low-mow lawns, vegetated "hell strips" along sidewalks, and vegetated waterside buffers are among the best known earth-friendly designs.
While it is true these plantings have great potential to improve ecological functions, many members of the public find them difficult to contemplate and hard to accept once installed. In fact, new landscape forms have brought about neighborhood disagreements, blight violations, court orders, and other legal battles in more than a few places.
Is the problem one of embattled traditions? Or differing expectations? Or are there fundamental design problems to consider on a case-by-case basis?
In this one-hour talk, we'll look at the sources of friction, how to educate the public about naturalized landscapes, and how key design steps can help achieve greater public acceptance. No guarantees, but we'll try to put this sometimes-difficult conversation in a neutral context and create a productive discussion.