Remaining at the forefront of landscape design requires ongoing education on critical shifts in our industry. At John Mini, we educate and promote the use of native plants in lieu of invasive plants. Our team hosts educational seminars that range from topics in landscape practice, nature, horticulture science, and environmental sustainability. Recently, our teammate, Chris Giovanni, discussed native plants in the landscape trade and the direct and indirect effects of the use of invasive plants in our region. Chris presented how to balance aesthetics, functionality and sustainability when selecting plants. This prompted constructive discourse on how and when to use plants from different categories such as native plants, non-native non-invasive plants, invasive plants, and annuals.

As biodiversity thrives in New York City, it is our responsibility to develop landscapes that nurture longevity and balance in the urban ecosystem. Designing native plants into the urban landscape support longevity when specifying the appropriate plant for each microenvironment. Native plants support balance by creating food and shelter for local fauna.

Our design guides educate our teammates on when to consider native varieties in specific applications. A couple examples would be to assess the conditions and suggest swapping out Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Silver Grass) for a native option such as Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass). Or to nix Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) from the plant palette and sub in the native variety Lonicera sempervirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle). These guides provide a framework for nurturing sustainability, microclimate, growing conditions and design intent in balance.  

As regional research and horticultural science evolve, we update these guides. In any industry, what may have been common practice several years ago often requires refinement based on new studies and improved data.