TOP 5 #LANDSCAPECHAT TAKEAWAYS

NOVEMBER 16, 2011

IF YOU MISSED THIS WEEKS #LANDSCAPECHAT, @VALLEYCREST HAS YOU COVERED. WE DISCUSSED THE BENEFITS OF REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPES WHEN USED IN DROUGHT PRONE COMMUNITIES OR REGIONS WITH GREGORY RAY, PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, VALLEYCREST DESIGN GROUP AND BLOGGER ON WWW.VALLEYCRESTTAKESON.COM. 1. GIVES BACK. There is a growing need for landscapes to give back to the environment by reintroducing attractive native plant palettes back into their natural habitats or region. Self-sustaining regenerative landscapes need very little help to be maintained, thus cutting long-term maintenance or replacement costs. 2. PRACTICAL DESIGN. Landscape Architects can play a huge role in protecting Mother Nature by thinking practically about design. Sometimes the most obvious solution stares you right in the face, said Greg. We only need to put back what was originally there, to help Mother Nature along. 3. SAVES WATER, PROMOTES SUSTAINABILITY. 70% of water use in large-scale developments goes toward ornamental landscapes. A swap to native plants solves this as theyre naturally aggressive and seek water sources when there is none available above ground. They also can ward off disease, weeds and pests, thus requiring little or no pesticide. 4. SOME CHALLENGES. Its important that teams understand native plants, which native plants work best together, and their application. Regenerative landscapes could take 5-8 years to establish. Pre-treated seeds expedite growth and bring a mature landscape to market faster. 5. RESOURCES. In California, S & S Seeds helped ValleyCrest develop pre-treated native plant seeds which grow in at an accelerated rate. Its important to nd local resources with a solid understanding of the best native plant material for your region.
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