Benefits of Native Landscaping The landscape at the Century Park
retail complex in central Oregon never needs fertilizer,
pesticides, extensive watering, or mowing, thanks to the native
landscaping installed by WinterCreek Restoration. Fifty-one
native speciesthose that have evolved and adapted to the
geography, hydrology, and climate of the regionoccupy the
33,000-square foot landscape to create a self-sustaining
ecosystem. The project is so successful, commented landscaper
Rick Martinson of WinterCreek Restoration, its almost working
too well. The success of the project is primarily due to the
native plants used throughout the landscape. The goal of native
landscaping is to create a plant community. In a natural system,
each plant occupies a specific niche. The diversity of the
native landscape preserves naturally occurring genetic material
and provides better resistance to disease. Furthermore, plants
native to a specific region tend to be more robust because they
have adapted to the local soil, conditions