If you have the budget to create a replica of the Alaska landscape in your backyard, why not try a native plant garden? Here are some tips and tricks to make your landscape look real. Native plants are best suited for the region’s harsh climate. Remember, you can plant native trees, shrubs, and grasses. In addition, if you’re interested in growing food, try planting local grains and legumes.
Native plants
If you’re interested in creating an Alaskan landscape in your backyard, you’ll be pleased to know that several native plants are low-maintenance and require very little care. They also need minimal water and use no fertilizer or pesticides. Listed below are some of the best choices for an Alaskan garden. They will be perfect for your backyard.
Juniper: This evergreen species grows well in most soils and prefers full sunlight and average moisture. This plant has blue flowers and lovely alternate leaves that look like a ladder. It is low maintenance and supports local wildlife. Junipers also add a splash of yellow to your landscape. It is an excellent choice for a backyard butterfly garden and will complement many of your other native plants.
Native trees
When designing a landscape in your backyard, there are a variety of native Alaskan trees to choose from. To ensure a wildlife-friendly landscape, consider planting white or Sitka spruce and quaking aspen. In addition, numerous shrubs will complement your landscape. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game offers many resources for landscaping to support local wildlife. They even provide a native plant guide online. If you decide to plant a new tree, however, you need to consider how well it will grow and look in your yard.
Japanese maples are an excellent choice for your backyard, as they have stunning flower displays that start much earlier than most other trees. Their bright pink flowers have a sweet, aromatic scent and pair well with bronze-purple leaves. Unfortunately, by the end of the season, their leaves turn red. You can choose a single-trunked tree for the available space or grow it as a small multi-stemmed tree.
Native shrubs
When considering the landscaping for wildlife in your backyard, you should focus on native shrubs and trees. Native shrubs and trees grow between two and six feet, making them great substitutes for exotics commonly used for the same purpose. Future articles will discuss trees and larger shrubs. These are some of the most common types of shrubs and trees in Southcentral Alaska. These plants may be used as focal points within your backyard, and they will attract wildlife.
For a more natural look, try native shrubs and trees. Many of these species are hardy and easy to grow. In addition to being the most adaptable plants for their particular environment, natives benefit local wildlife by providing food and habitat. The US EPA archives document on landscaping with native plants and trees outlines the various features of the ideal Alaska landscape. Native plants and trees make excellent choices for many landscaping projects.
Native grasses
If you want a lush, Alaskan landscape in your backyard, consider planting some of Alaska’s native grasses. These plants come in every color of the foliage rainbow and can range from tiny rock garden gems to tall beauties. Some of these plants can even tolerate arid climates, and you’ll want to ensure they don’t get too wet or overwatered.
Besides being native to the area, these plants are also pest and disease-resistant. You can easily find clustered field sedges at a local nursery. These grasses require less water than traditional grasses, and they are pest-resistant. Other popular varieties include Texas Hill Country sedge, Baltimore sedge, and red fescue. In addition to sedges, you can also use other native plants like ivy.
Native flowers
You can create a wilderness-like setting in your backyard by planting native flowers suitable for the region. For example, the blue yarrow is the state flower of Alaska, and it comes in many colors, including red, purple, pink, and white. It grows to 3 feet tall with lacy stems and can produce up to twenty or more tiny yellow flowers. It also tolerates drought and thrives in full sun and average soil.
Cow parsnip is one of the most common plants in Alaska, although it can cause severe burns. Its leaves are flat and resemble maples. The flower is yellow or blue, and it is the state flower. An excellent place to see it is at Denali National Park. The state flower of Alaska, this plant is a favorite of many gardeners. Its flowers are also very distinctive.
Native animals
Various native animals inhabit the Alaska landscape, including the majestic moose. These creatures range from the Arctic to the Inside Passage and are commonly seen along Alaska’s mountain ranges. Their long coats and distinctive horns make them easy to spot in the forest. They are common in the state’s interior and southcentral regions, although they can also be found in cities. This article will provide information about some of these animals, including their habits and behavior.
The Sitka Black-tailed Deer is small in southern Alaska’s coastal rainforests. It is less than five feet long and has a distinctive gray color that helps it blend in with the environment. Its antlers are shed yearly in the spring, and the male has a prominent forehead covered in fatty tissue. It is one of the smaller mammals in the region and is often seen near rivers and lakes.
