“Biodiversity” has become something of a buzzword in landscaping circles. However, it’s more than just a passing trend. Biodiverse gardening is an approach to landscape design that strikes a harmonious balance between people and wildlife. By doing so, it allows homeowners to enrich and support their local ecosystems so that they may flourish for future generations. What’s more, our landscapers in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, MI, have the expertise to help you achieve your vision.
Here are some of the top methods for improving biodiversity in your own backyard.
Create an Oasis for Birds
Birds not only add color and movement to your garden, but their own unique songs. If you love and appreciate the feathery friends in your neighborhood, why not roll out the welcome mat?
To create a backyard oasis for birds, you’ll need three key ingredients:
- Food (Focus on plants that offer seeds, berries, sap, and nectar.)
- Water (Running or bubbling water is especially attractive to birds.)
- Shelter (Birdhouses, shrubs, and trees all provide shelter.)
There are plenty of ways to use . Not to mention, birds offer natural pest control and help disperse seeds to promote new growth. It’s a win-win!
Plant a Butterfly Garden
Is there anything more graceful or breathtaking than a butterfly dancing amongst the flowers? To , you’ll need to plant nectar flowers for the butterflies and vegetation for hungry caterpillars.
Many species of female butterflies are selective when it comes to where they lay their eggs. For this reason, it’s important to pick plants that are considered a rich food source for larvae as they grow and prepare for metamorphosis.
Examples of popular nectar flowers include the butterfly bush, lilacs, and purple coneflowers. However, there are a wide variety of plants to choose from to create an eye-catching landscape the butterflies will love.
We also encourage you to rely on the expertise of our top landscapers in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, MI, to create the ultimate butterfly paradise.
Attract Honeybees
Honeybees are an important pollinator—for the planet and the American economy. According to the , honeybees pollinate $15 billion worth of crops in the United States each year! Thanks to the humble and hardworking bees, we get to enjoy 130 different types of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. That’s no small feat!
Return the favor by creating a protected space for bees in your backyard. This can be as simple as planting flowers to attract bees and other pollinators. For example, growing some sunflowers is a great way to show the bees your appreciation for all they do.
Add a Pond or Other Water Feature
Did you know that birds and other wildlife often have to travel miles to find water in the winter? One of the benefits of adding ponds and other water features to your property is that you can ensure there’s open water available year round. As a waterscaping contractor, we can discuss different strategies such as including a pond aerator, deicer, or heater.
Related: How to Add Color to a Winter Landscape →
A water feature will help attract aquatic wildlife, such as frogs and dragonflies. Some homeowners may also choose to stock their ponds with koi fish to add color, movement, and vibrancy to their backyards.
Schedule a Landscaping Consultation
R&A Landscaping is proud to serve as your West Michigan landscaping contractor in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and surrounding areas. To schedule a free in-home consultation for our landscaping services, please feel free to give us a call. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.