CEC Demo House Landscaping Plans
The basis for deciding what sorts of plants would be used at the Demo house was that they should be native, easy to care for, and attractive to wildlife. All the plants in this landscaping plan are in fact natives of Indiana and can be found on the native plant lists. In addition to these criteria, I also considered what types of plants students living at the house could benefit from. As a result, there are a variety of shrubs in the plan that produce berries that can be eaten by humans as well as wildlife. Placement of plants in the landscape was based on where they would best receive the type of light condition they require, as well as where they would be best in view for the residents of the demo house.
The west front entrance has a row of Showy Goldenrod leading up to the house as a pleasant color to be seen as you first arrive. Goldenrod flowers in late summer. Mapleleaf Viburnum and Mountain Laurel are two shrubs that work well in this place in the yard. There is space for large shrubs in this location and they are both tolerant of light and soil conditions, making them easy to care for. Mountain Laurel blooms in late spring and Maple leaf Viburnum in early summer.
At the south eastern entrance of the house, Wild Columbine is planted just outside the rear door. This plant tolerant of drought and flood and so should do well placed next to the drain pipe. It also is tolerant of a variety of light conditions. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to the yard and blooms in late spring. On the fence to the right Crossvine creeps up the wire. This vine prefers full sun and is in a place where it will receive a lot of sunlight. It blooms in late spring as well.
Turning around, in the south-eastern corner of the yard, two large shrubs are planted. Elderberry and HIghbrush Blueberry both bloom during the summer and require full sun. Highbrush Blueberry will provide shelter and food for a variety of wildlife. These shrubs will be a nice place for birds to perch before they fly to other places in the area. The flower garden next to the shrubs is one of these places. The garden is planted with False Sunflower, Wild Catchfly, Green and Gold, Virginia Rose, New England Asters and Trumpet Creeper, all of which prefer full sun and attract wildlife such as birds, butterflies, caterpillars and hummingbirds. The garden is placed in the yard so that residents can see the flowers and observe wildlife easily from the kitchen.
In the Northwestern corner of the yard, American Bittersweet climbs the fence. This vine is tolerant of most soil conditions and can tolerate sun or shade. It blooms in late spring. Purple Flowering Raspberry and Wild Strawberry are planted side by side. These plants, as well as the Highbrush Blueberry and Elderberry, will offer fruits for humans and wildlife. Wild Strawberry blooms in late spring and Purple Flowering Raspberry blooms over a long period.
A large amount of space in the north-western part of the yard was left clear to provide space for a vegetable garden. Having a garden inside the fence will be more convenient to the residents and will help keep out wildlife, such as deer, that will consume the produce.
In the loop created by the drive at the front of the house, there are twelve different species of natives planted. There are ferns, shrubs, ground cover, grasses and wildflowers. Unique natives such as Prairie Smoke and Rough Blazing Star display to visitors the variety that natives can offer them. Whether they are looking for a more traditional looking garden and prefer the Drawf Crested Iris and Wine Cups, or they are looking for something new such as Prairie Smoke and Swamp Milkweed, this patch will offer them examples and suggestions that suit their needs.
