Landscape Pros Share Their Secrets to Creating a Resilient Garden
Learn how to design a beautiful space that works with nature, supports local ecosystems and can rebound from adversity
Landscapes designed to thrive in and support their local ecosystem even when faced with disruptions such as weather events, pests and diseases feel especially relevant today. And for homeowners who want an outdoor space that works with nature rather than against it, “resiliency” has become a byword. Here, landscape professionals on Houzz share their thoughts on why resilient design matters, and offer tips for creating beneficial, bountiful and adaptable outdoor spaces.
A resilient landscape also can foster resilience in other areas of life. “Landscapes are incredibly powerful,” says Isara Ongwiseth, lead designer at FormLA Landscaping in Los Angeles. “When created with a long-term mindset, they can mitigate drought, extreme heat, flood and fire risks; improve our mental and physical health; save us money and time; and save wildlife too.”
Work with a local landscape designer or landscape architect
Work with a local landscape designer or landscape architect
Considering all aspects of the landscape is important when designing for resiliency. “I like to think about a resilient landscape as an enduring space that is built with the very best methodologies, combined with materials that are both durable as well as environmentally responsible,” says Jeff True, vice president of operations at Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors just outside Chicago.
Work With Your Site
Designing for resiliency means working with your site rather than against it. That includes understanding the topography, soil variations, exposure to the elements and microclimates. “Every site has different soils, sun, drainage and plant communities,” Vogt says. “If we aren’t paying attention to those variables, the garden can’t be resilient.”
Designing for resiliency means working with your site rather than against it. That includes understanding the topography, soil variations, exposure to the elements and microclimates. “Every site has different soils, sun, drainage and plant communities,” Vogt says. “If we aren’t paying attention to those variables, the garden can’t be resilient.”
It’s important to understand the local ecology and how what’s in it it lives and breathes. “The land is always speaking. It shows us what works if we’re willing to observe,” Corea says.
Corea adds that following this approach allows you to design systems that support regeneration and self-repair, resulting in long-term sustainability. “Shifting your prospective from making something happen to revealing what already wants to grow is where true resilience begins,” he says.
Another benefit of working with your existing topography and natural features is that you’ll create a design that suits your location.
“Just last week, we convinced a homeowner not to blast out the rocky outcroppings on one side of his yard or pave over it,” says landscape architect Robert Gilmore of Arlington, Massachusetts. “Instead, we encouraged him to see it as an opportunity to embrace this quintessential reality of building in New England.”
Corea adds that following this approach allows you to design systems that support regeneration and self-repair, resulting in long-term sustainability. “Shifting your prospective from making something happen to revealing what already wants to grow is where true resilience begins,” he says.
Another benefit of working with your existing topography and natural features is that you’ll create a design that suits your location.
“Just last week, we convinced a homeowner not to blast out the rocky outcroppings on one side of his yard or pave over it,” says landscape architect Robert Gilmore of Arlington, Massachusetts. “Instead, we encouraged him to see it as an opportunity to embrace this quintessential reality of building in New England.”
Pay Attention to Your Climate
Along with understanding your area’s typical climate patterns, consider potential seasonal weather-related problems, such as floods, hurricanes, drought and wildfires. As a designer in Southern California, Ongwiseth is well aware of how weather affects any landscape. “We consider fire risk, extreme heat, drought and flooding — ‘whiplash weather,’” he says.
For True, Chicago weather is always a challenge. “We have to consider our brutal cold weather in the winter as well as heat and drought in the summer,” he says. “We also have to consider road salt if planting close to roadways or walks.” True adds that a few hours north and south, the climate is different.
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Along with understanding your area’s typical climate patterns, consider potential seasonal weather-related problems, such as floods, hurricanes, drought and wildfires. As a designer in Southern California, Ongwiseth is well aware of how weather affects any landscape. “We consider fire risk, extreme heat, drought and flooding — ‘whiplash weather,’” he says.
For True, Chicago weather is always a challenge. “We have to consider our brutal cold weather in the winter as well as heat and drought in the summer,” he says. “We also have to consider road salt if planting close to roadways or walks.” True adds that a few hours north and south, the climate is different.
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Corea also deals with a varying climate. “In Central Texas, our landscapes must endure a wide range of weather [types], with temperatures ranging from 16 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit,” he says, adding that the area is subject to periods of drought interspersed with sudden high-intensity rain. “This requires ways to retain and manage water, including installing swales, berms and irrigation,” he says.
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Farther north, in Colorado, Bloom also contends with the need to manage water. He starts with efficient irrigation that includes multiple cycles. “This allows our poor soils more time to absorb water more efficiently and reduces the amount of runoff,” he says. He also incorporates rain gardens and bioswales to capture runoff while mitigating issues with flooding and drought.
In addition to considering water management, Bloom advises homeowners to enhance soil fertility and structure by incorporating organic amendments such as compost, mulch and biochar, a carbon-dense soil amendment made by burning agricultural and forestry waste. “This practice not only enriches the soil but also improves its water retention capacity and resistance to erosion, thereby supporting robust plant growth under variable weather conditions,” he says.
In addition to considering water management, Bloom advises homeowners to enhance soil fertility and structure by incorporating organic amendments such as compost, mulch and biochar, a carbon-dense soil amendment made by burning agricultural and forestry waste. “This practice not only enriches the soil but also improves its water retention capacity and resistance to erosion, thereby supporting robust plant growth under variable weather conditions,” he says.
Be Selective With Plant Choices
Native plants and native-adjacent plants (nonnatives with similar needs) are the first choices for every pro we spoke with. “Use plants native to your region, adapted to the site and adapted to one another,” Vogt advises. He explains that this means learning how well plants work together, what he describes as their levels of sociability.
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Native plants and native-adjacent plants (nonnatives with similar needs) are the first choices for every pro we spoke with. “Use plants native to your region, adapted to the site and adapted to one another,” Vogt advises. He explains that this means learning how well plants work together, what he describes as their levels of sociability.
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Along with selecting plants that are suited to your region, consider your landscape’s microclimates — the areas within your yard that may have different growing conditions and needs. “Designing based on the different microclimates will increase the longevity and health of all your plants,” Bloom says.
Finally, follow the long-established rule of choosing the right plant for the right place. Consider “the mature sizes, maintenance requirements and best fit for your soil and weather conditions,” True advises. Then narrow down your choices to plants that will thrive as long as possible.
Ongwiseth points out that native plants that thrive in the heat and drought conditions of Southern California also can thrive during times of deluge.
Ongwiseth points out that native plants that thrive in the heat and drought conditions of Southern California also can thrive during times of deluge.
Emphasize Biodiversity
Having a robust landscape filled with a variety of plants will help ensure its resiliency. “If disease or herbivores or drought take out one plant species, others need to be able to fill in before invasive weeds take advantage,” Vogt says.
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Having a robust landscape filled with a variety of plants will help ensure its resiliency. “If disease or herbivores or drought take out one plant species, others need to be able to fill in before invasive weeds take advantage,” Vogt says.
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True says the goal is to make sure plants live their fullest life. “Let’s not plant 20 of the same thing. In the residential landscape, we want to see diversity for aesthetic reasons, but this also helps with having a healthy ecosystem.”
“We’ve seen firsthand how a more complex, layered system bounces back from drought or frost while monocultures struggle,” Corea says. “It’s another way of working with nature rather than trying to control it.” He says that a diverse plant palette doesn’t just add beauty; it creates a living system in which species support each other: “Diversity balances pollination, pest control and seasonal changes.”
“We’ve seen firsthand how a more complex, layered system bounces back from drought or frost while monocultures struggle,” Corea says. “It’s another way of working with nature rather than trying to control it.” He says that a diverse plant palette doesn’t just add beauty; it creates a living system in which species support each other: “Diversity balances pollination, pest control and seasonal changes.”
Stay Adaptable
Adapt to the different aspects and requirements of your yard, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. You may also find that solutions for one issue can help with other needs. “Many different strategies serve multiple goals,” Ongwiseth says. “An ember-resistant zone designed to help protect a home from wildfire can also help protect a home from flooding.”
Bloom also recommends implementing a flexible design strategy that can evolve as the landscape changes. “This includes the use of modular design elements and integrated pest management, which focuses on biological and habitat controls for pests and diseases, ” he says.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Adapt to the different aspects and requirements of your yard, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. You may also find that solutions for one issue can help with other needs. “Many different strategies serve multiple goals,” Ongwiseth says. “An ember-resistant zone designed to help protect a home from wildfire can also help protect a home from flooding.”
Bloom also recommends implementing a flexible design strategy that can evolve as the landscape changes. “This includes the use of modular design elements and integrated pest management, which focuses on biological and habitat controls for pests and diseases, ” he says.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Rules to Live By
The pros we spoke with have some final advice for creating a resilient landscape.
Bloom: “The land is always speaking. It shows us what works if we’re willing to observe.”
Corea: “If a plant is thriving on the side of the road or growing wild on a hike, it’s already proven its resilience. Start by asking, ‘What is already thriving here without me?’ and then lean into that.”
Gilmore: “You should work with [the landscape] rather than go to war with it.”
The pros we spoke with have some final advice for creating a resilient landscape.
Bloom: “The land is always speaking. It shows us what works if we’re willing to observe.”
Corea: “If a plant is thriving on the side of the road or growing wild on a hike, it’s already proven its resilience. Start by asking, ‘What is already thriving here without me?’ and then lean into that.”
Gilmore: “You should work with [the landscape] rather than go to war with it.”
Ongwiseth: “Plant native foliage in the right place. They will do so much of the work for you. When it comes to maintenance, stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. You’ll see more birds and butterflies. You also might be surprised at how much better you feel.”
True: “Start with the horticulture of plants. What are the mature sizes, maintenance requirements and best fit for your soil and weather conditions? Then, narrow down your choices, with the No. 1 rule being choose [something that] thrives for as long as possible.”
Vogt: “Use native plants in communities we’d find in the wild, and match them to your site conditions. Plant densely — 12 inches apart or less. Don’t use wood mulch. Use more plants in all the layers.”
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True: “Start with the horticulture of plants. What are the mature sizes, maintenance requirements and best fit for your soil and weather conditions? Then, narrow down your choices, with the No. 1 rule being choose [something that] thrives for as long as possible.”
Vogt: “Use native plants in communities we’d find in the wild, and match them to your site conditions. Plant densely — 12 inches apart or less. Don’t use wood mulch. Use more plants in all the layers.”
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Get landscape design ideas
Find a landscape designer or architect
Shop for outdoor products
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Resiliency adds an important layer to a landscape, both in the immediate future and in the long term. “It not only enhances the aesthetic and functional qualities of the design, but [the landscape] also becomes a dynamic system capable of enduring and thriving in the face of environmental variability,” says Denver-area landscape designer Joseph Bloom of Environmental Designs.
For José Roberto Corea, design principal and owner of Austin Outdoor Design in Texas, a resilient landscape not only will bounce back after disruption but will even improve over time.
Nebraska designer Benjamin Vogt, a longtime champion of native and sustainable gardens, says, “It’s a garden that self-organizes by filling in the gaps or self-healing after extreme weather or other disturbances.”