Conventional home landscaping practices and products have contributed to insect loss, put our waters at risk, reduced bird populations, and allowed invasive plants to run rampant—but none of this is inevitable! There are practical, cost-effective alternatives that encourage native plants and the creatures that depend on them. For more than 50 years, Orleans Conservation Trust has preserved and managed properties in ways that emphasize native plants and create biodiverse habitats. And we are a proud partner in the Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod movement. But we only control 700 acres: most of the land in Orleans is in private hands.
Sharing what we’ve learned, OCT’s At Home with Nature initiative gives homeowners information and tools to practice nature-friendly landscaping. You’ll learn about native plants—a vital component of healthy home landscapes that provide food and nesting habitats for our beautiful local birds and critters. By cultivating native trees, shrubs, and perennials, and removing invasive, non-native species, we can avoid using pesticides and thus help pollinators thrive. Smaller lawns that can be mowed and watered less often are part of the solution, and ideally homeowners will come to appreciate the benefits of a true Cape Cod lawn. All these practices will help you save time and money and reduce the use of water—our most precious shared resource.
Invasive species did not evolve in our region, so they are not controlled by our local natural mechanisms. They pose a threat to our local ecosystems by quickly outcompeting, displacing, and killing our native species. Invasive plants can be very fast-growing, difficult to remove due to extended root systems and seed longevity, and can even self-pollenate in some cases. They are called invasive for a reason!
By removing invasive plants, you will create room for native plants to grow—they will happily take over the empty space. Invasive plants not only take up space you want for your natives to thrive, but they can also change the soil make up—certain invasive and non-native plants release chemicals that will impact the success of plants around them.
Finally, invasive plants do not feed our local food web. Our insects need native plants, and our birds need insects to live. Our birds also want to eat local seeds and berries, and native wildlife depends on diverse local flora for nesting habitat.
Having trouble identifying invasive plants? Join one of our OCT walks to learn how to identify plants in the field. Or click here for a list of invasives on Cape Cod.
Need help getting rid of invasive plants? Check out this OCT presentation that tells you how to handle your invasives.
Native plants are better suited to our local soils, are drought resistant, less susceptible to disease, and have adapted to our local insect population. Native plants are used to our climate—they grow with less work and less water.
Did you know that if you have just 70% natives on your property, you can stabilize your wildlife habitat? Natives play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance, and provide habitat and food. If you’re sick of seeing just starlings and house sparrows, a native landscape will attract a much larger variety of beautiful birds.
Speaking of beauty, native plants enhance the natural appeal of landscapes, reflecting regional identity. Native plants support a pollinator's life cycle and support insect habitat year-round, while giving us color from early spring through the fall. Their adaptation to local conditions often leads to low-maintenance gardens, reducing or eliminating the need for irrigation or fertilizers and providing a visually appealing and sustainable alternative to non-native species. And if you’re trying to create a thriving vegetable garden, native plants attract native pollinators that will cross-pollinate your plants.
Click here for a list of native plants, and check out the Pollinator Pathways Cape Cod list for native plants especially picked for attracting pollinators to your yard.
Remember fireflies? Love bluebirds? Your landscaping practices can transform your yard into a wildlife-friendly habitat. Planting native flora provides food and shelter for local wildlife, attracting birds, insects, and other species in ways that non-native plants will not. Changing your landscape to include a variety of natives will increase beauty while creating a food web—native insects eating “bad” insects and birds having many more bugs to eat.
Creating vegetation layers with plants that reach different heights, incorporating water features, and leaving some areas untamed can mimic natural ecosystems, supporting biodiversity. Native landscaping also eliminates the need for pesticides or fertilizers, fostering a healthier environment for insects crucial to the food web.
Don’t forget native trees! Not only does planting more native trees support your local wildlife, it also cools temperatures for your summer fun. Speaking of trees, when heavy rain events occur, trees help slow the effect torrents have on your property and help filtrate and regenerate the water back into our shared water table.
Check out some of our favorite local wildlife species, and become the envy of your neighborhood by becoming part of Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod.
There are a variety of lawn care practices that will help you create a more natural environment while keeping space for your kids and pets to play, enjoying sunset in your favorite Adirondack chair, or hosting that corn hole tournament. Just changing your mowing schedule from once a week to once every two or three weeks and eliminating herbicide applications (or changing to organic solutions) will attract a much greater diversity of pollinators by allowing weeds in your lawn to flower before mowing.
Did you know that yards take up 7 times the space that open natural land does? Imagine the impact homeowners like you can have by reducing the size of your lawn. Not to mention that a smaller lawn saves time, money and water, our most precious natural resource here on Cape Cod. Try removing a section of “turf” lawn and creating a wildflower picking garden. Or plant a variety of white or Dutch clover—while not a native plant, it is naturalized in New England and makes a positive addition to a traditional lawn by using less water and attracting native bees. Or create groupings of native shrubs and colorful perennials to replace patches of lawn—creating native plant "islands" around your home.
A recent OCT talk featured Dr. Susannah Lerman of the US Forest Service. Her research indicates that residential landscapes, including untreated grass lawns, can be habitat for bees and pollinators, if mown less frequently.
If you’re still looking for that landscaped yard, “neat and native” is the way to go!
You can control undesirable insects such as ticks and mosquitos without using pesticides by attracting wildlife that naturally feeds on them. Birds such as Blue Jays, American Robins, and Eastern Bluebirds eat a huge number of insects. Dragonflies eat a huge number of mosquitos and other flying insects such as gnats—you can attract dragonflies by adding a water feature, planting flowers that attract them such as Black-Eyed Susan or Joe Pye Weed, and providing a shrub layer for them to perch and hide from birds.
Contrary to popular belief, a longer lawn does not attract more ticks. You can mow less often without bringing any more ticks to your lawn.
Be sure to follow the basics when out working in the yard: wear loose clothing that covers your skin, tuck your pants into your socks, and wear light colors that make ticks more visible. Did you know that changing your diet can make you less attractive to ticks? A diet high in garlic, onions, and sources of vitamin B1 (thiamin), such as tuna, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and leafy greens, can alter your body chemistry to make you less tasty to ticks. Finally, use an all-natural tick and mosquito repellent.
The easy answer is, as much as you want to give. For example, start by digging up a small section of lawn and spreading some wildflower seed—but be sure to give it a few years to really thrive. Or replace any plants that die off in your perennial beds with beautiful natives. Over time you can convert to a helpful level (70%) of native plants. Many native plants will also self-seed and over time will expand in your garden—or you can harvest the seeds and plant them elsewhere in your yard at no cost.
You will save money on water and landscaping services by mowing less often, using native plants that take less care in our natural environment, and getting more for your money in your vegetable garden if it is helped along by more pollinators in your yard.
When it comes to managing invasives, start by managing just one area of your property that is most important to you, or managing just one type of invasive that is affecting your property badly (for example, English Ivy and Oriental Bittersweet vines that are strangling and killing valued trees).
Need help? Tell your landscaper that you want to go native and use fewer, if any chemicals on your property. Eliminating the chemical applications will save you money! Switching to an organic alternative, with fewer applications, may be less expensive. Ask if they can help you develop a native landscape plan that you adopt over time. Or perhaps you have a new home, and you can create a comprehensive native landscape that you implement all at once. There are ecological landscape designers on Cape Cod who can assist in designing and implementing a habitat-friendly landscape.
Your first step is most likely going to be doing an assessment of your current property. What are your environment types (just lawn and garden beds, a mix of shrubs and trees with lawn, etc.) and how do you want to change them based on the information you’ve read about creating natural habitats? What kinds of invasives are present on your property?
Attend an OCT walk to learn how to identify invasive plants or use one of many popular apps on your phone, like “Seek” from iNaturalist or “Picture This.” Once you have figured out what you have, you can determine how to manage them. You can get a great introduction to managing invasives by watching this presentation or get tips specific to invasive type here.
If you’re looking for lists of native plants and where to buy them, check out the links at the bottom of this page.
Set a goal. Do you want to become part of the Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod? Do you want to attract more interesting birds? Do you want to attract all sorts of wildlife? Create the natural space that is best for you. And keep checking the OCT web site for monthly tips and tricks and lists of informative walks and talks. We are here to help!
Nature-Friendly Practices You Can Adopt for Your Yard
Orleans Conservation Trust is committed to integrating At Home with Nature principles into all our public programs: guided walks, presentations by experts, educational materials, and other resources offered at no cost to year-round and seasonal residents of Orleans. And we look forward to working with local partners on more educational programs. Protecting nature in our community is up to all of us—and it starts at home. Please join us!
There are many organizations on Cape Cod that specialize in providing native plant lists. Here are some you will find useful.
Orleans Conservation Trust: We have a list of the most common native, non-native and invasive plants on Cape Cod, including pictures to help you easily identify what you have in your yard.
Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod: A comprehensive list of plants focused on pollinators, categorized by perennial plants, shrubs, and trees. This list is great for gardeners as the perennials are sorted by the time of year when they bloom.
Cape Cod Native Plants: hosted by the Association to Preserve Cape Cod: This site, complete with pictures, enables you to sort plants by type (annual, grass, shrub, etc.), sunlight, soil type, bloom month, height, and benefits.
Town of Orleans List of Native Plants: Sorted by flowers, low-growing shrubs, and shrubs. Each listing includes the name (common and scientific), habitat and bloom time.
Mass Audubon Native & Beneficial Plants: There are hundreds of native and beneficial plants found in Massachusetts; incorporate this starting list to support your outdoor space.
Agway of Cape Cod: Local to Orleans
Cape Abilities Farm: Located in Dennis
Crocker Nurseries: Located in Brewster
The Farm: Local to Orleans
Hyannis Country Garden: Located in Hyannis
Ponderosa Garden Center: Located in Eastham
Xerces Society: Online specialist in seed mixes for pollinators
January: What Are Native Plants?
Native plants are species that naturally occur in a specific region and have evolved to thrive in local environmental conditions. They play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Adapted to local climates and soils, native plants provide habitat, food, and support for native wildlife. Their deep-rooted systems contribute to soil stability and water conservation. Preserving and promoting native plant species is essential for sustaining healthy ecosystems, as they enhance resilience to environmental changes and human impact.
February: Why Consider Planting Native Plants?
Incorporating native plants in your yard offers ecological benefits by promoting biodiversity, attracting local pollinators and wildlife, and fostering a resilient ecosystem. Aesthetically, native plants enhance the natural beauty of landscapes, reflecting regional identity. Their adaptation to local conditions often leads to low-maintenance gardens, reducing or eliminating the need for irrigation or fertilizers and providing a visually appealing and sustainable alternative to non-native species.
March: How Can Landscaping Create Habitat for Native Wildlife?
Your landscaping practices can transform your yard into a wildlife-friendly habitat. Planting native flora provides food and shelter for local wildlife, attracting birds, insects, and other species in ways that non-native plants will not. Creating vegetation layers with plants that reach different heights, incorporating water features, and leaving some areas untamed can mimic natural ecosystems, supporting biodiversity. Native landscaping also eliminates the need for pesticides or fertilizers, fostering a healthier environment for insects crucial to the food chain.
April: What’s the best way to control invasives?
Invasive species pose a threat to our local ecosystems by outcompeting native flora and fauna, disrupting ecological balance, and diminishing biodiversity. Identifying invasive vegetation on your property will dictate which control methods will be most effective. Employing manual methods, such as pulling or cutting, and using herbicides can be effective. Early detection and persistence are crucial. Click here for a list of invasives in Massachusetts and information on how to control them.
May: Why should I help pollinators?
Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, play a vital role in plant reproduction and ecosystem health. To create a garden that attracts and supports them, choose a variety of native flowering plants with diverse colors and shapes. Provide a water source, and don’t use pesticides to protect pollinators. Plant in clusters to create attractive foraging areas. Incorporating blooming plants throughout the seasons ensures a continuous food supply. Click to learn more about Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod.
June: How can I restore my habitat?
If you know you need to restore your property's ecological health, you've probably already identified invasive plants and other environmental issues. In undertaking your restoration, be sure to protect local native plant species that you may not even know are there.
Eliminating invasive plants and replacing them with natives, creating diverse vegetation layers, and providing water sources enhance habitat quality. Additionally, you can leave snags (standing dead trees) or add nesting boxes to attract cavity nesting birds, and leave brush piles and other untamed areas that provide habitat for a whole host of wildlife. And regularly monitor for invasives to remove them while it's easy!
July: How do I know what native plants to plant?
Plants native to Cape Cod have adapted to the Cape’s unique coastal environment and well-drained sandy soils. Beach Plum (Prunus maritima), Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), or Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) are very hardy options for filling larger spaces, but there are many, many more of all types and sizes that will thrive in Cape conditions while providing food and habitat for local wildlife. Natives are low-maintenance and can create a sustainable and visually appealing garden. Learn more about native plants from the Native Plant Trust.
August: What is a "Biodiversity Hotspot”?
Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptionally high species diversity, and they make up less than 3% of the Earth's surface. Cape Cod falls within the North American Coastal Plain hotspot.
You can protect biodiversity in this extraordinary region through responsible landscaping—choosing native plants that support local wildlife, removing invasive species, and avoiding the use of chemicals. Click here for additional ways to preserve biodiversity and here for more information on biodiversity hotspots.
September: What is a Rain Garden?
Rain gardens play a crucial role in managing stormwater runoff by capturing and filtering rainwater, preventing it from overwhelming drainage systems. Designed with native plants that absorb and slow water flow, rain gardens reduce erosion and promote groundwater recharge. This eco-friendly approach not only mitigates flooding but also conserves water resources by encouraging natural infiltration. Read about how to build a rain garden here.
October: Growing a Cape Cod Lawn
Adopting eco-friendly practices can minimize the environmental impact of lawn care. Mow your lawn at higher settings, promoting stronger grass and reducing the need for water. Water efficiently by collecting rainwater, and reduce fertilizers to avoid harmful runoff. Consider groundcover plants as an alternative to turf; for example, clover needs little attention once it’s established, suppresses weeds, and has a deep root system that aerates the soil. And re-think the size of your lawn, perhaps adding some native garden beds instead. Read more on creating an eco-friendly lawn here.
November: What makes an organic garden?
Organic gardening uses no synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, relying on natural processes to cultivate plants. By avoiding harmful chemicals, organic gardening fosters healthier ecosystems, promotes soil health through organic matter, and encourages beneficial microbial activity. Organic gardening safeguards water sources by preventing chemical runoff and prioritizes biodiversity, supporting beneficial insects and pollinators. Learn more about starting an organic garden here.
OCT is one of nine founding partners of Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod (PPCC), a regional initiative to increase pollinator-friendly habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife across Cape Cod. PPCC encourages residents to add native plants, subtract a little lawn, avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and to leave the leaves, since many pollinators over winter in leaf matter.
Check out advice from some local experts!
Webinar and Media Recordings:
“Picking Your Battles with Invasive Plants” presentation by Karro Frost: A guide to how to handle invasive plants in your own yard. (1 hr 10 mins)
"Humanity for Habitat: Saving Nature at Home" presentation by Dr. Susannah Lerman. Learn about opportunities, challenges, and strategies for yard stewardship to facilitate biodiversity-friendly residential landscapes that benefit wildlife and people. (1 hr 9 mins)
“Let Your Garden Grow Wild” TED talk by Rebecca McMackin: An overview of the benefits of a wild garden. (12 minutes)
“Ecolandscaping Tips” from Association to Preserve Cape Cod: Tips on how to incorporate native plants into your landscaping plan. (15 minutes)
"Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod": APCC's associate director for education, Kristin Andres, and OCT's executive director, Stephen O'Grady, talk about why we need a pollinator pathway, the Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod initiative, and how OCT has created pollinator gardens and other work OCT is doing to improve habitat in the town of Orleans. (44 minutes)
"The Power of Pollinators" by Nature on PBS: Everyone has heard of honeybees, but what about the 4,000 species of wild, native bees that live alongside honey bees here in North America? (6 minutes)
"Cape Cod Lawns: Association to Preserve Cape Cod PSA" (2 minutes)
Audio Recordings:
Episode of NPR radio’s “The Point” by Mindy Todd that discusses how critical pollinators are in the production of most fruits and vegetables. Features experts from the Xerces Society and includes discussion of Orleans’ own Putnam Farm property. (49 minutes)
Books:
Creating a Pollinator Garden for Native Specialist Bees of New York and the Northeast by Cornell Botanic Gardens & Cornell University (online book)