Such natural landscaping is the forte of independent landscape architect Margarete Harvey of Bayside. It takes at least three years to establish a garden with native plants. Quite a lot of effort and knowledge are required. Many times, the outside of the property is more important than the inside. For instance, she has designed gardens in which elderly and disabled people have a broader sensory experience.
Fragrances are important.
Bigger, more-robust flowers produce stronger scents. German by birth, and trained in Wisconsin, Harvey's selection of flowers lean away from hybrids and toward more natural strains. They are also more fragrant because most of the energy in hybrids goes into creating the beauty of the flower. These features are paths and channels filled with pebbles that enable ground water to disperse naturally. They are perfect environments for such plants as bonefet, irises and joe-pye weed.