Everything and everyone is trying to be “green” lately, so what exactly does green design mean?
It generally means planning for and installing a landscape that keeps environmental responsibility and sustainability in mind.
There are varying degrees of this of course, but every little bit helps. Even if only a few “green” ideas get incorporated, that’s OK! Everything counts!
Some examples of green design principles might be as follows:
As shown in the pictures above, installing permeable (draining) paving surfaces as another way to percolate rainwater through, instead of letting it just run off into the street, is green design.
So is installing plants that require little-to-no irrigation after establishment.
Planting perennials that self-sow and fill in naturally, such as purple coneflower, is sustainable (and cheap).
Using plants that don’t require extensive fertilizer or pesticide use to keep looking good is green design.
As is using plants that have extensive root systems; they can sequester carbon, filter groundwater, and create channels for rainwater so it doesn’t just runoff into sewers and nearby bodies of water.
Installing raingardens, again, is a green way to perc water through and thus reduce runoff/ pollution (see our Raingardens section for more info).