By Ann Marie VanDerZanden,
Associate Professor of Horticulture

For Iowa State University Extension

Sustainability has become a regular buzzword in our society lately. I’ve heard the term used when referring to a number of topics including lifestyle choices, building strategies, and agricultural production, to name just a few. Sustainability is also used in discussions about landscape design, landscape installation and landscape management. Sustainable landscapes are becoming an important part of the nursery and landscape industry and industry professionals are finding new ways to meet the demand of consumers for such landscapes.

I define a sustainable landscape as one that has a minimal impact on the environment by using reduced inputs of virgin building materials, and water, fertilizers, and pesticides once the landscape is established. A sustainable landscape is both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sound. In general, it means working toward a thoughtful balance between resources used and results gained.

There are a number of ways to achieve that thoughtful balance and one of the most important is to start with a good design. Sustainable landscapes require as much, if not more, planning as a traditional landscape. During each step in the process consider how to incorporate sustainability into the design. Examples include, but are not limited to, proper plant selection including limiting plants with high fertilizer, water and or maintenance requirements, and choosing hardscape materials that have a minimal environmental impact or those that are made from recycled products whenever possible.

Plant Selection

A key to creating a sustainable landscape is to include plants that are either native to your area or well adapted to a similar growing climate. This can reduce the need for supplemental irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide applications. Additionally, include plants that are labeled as insect- and disease-resistant in order to eliminate unnecessary applications of insecticides and fungicides. Information about a plant’s resistance to these problems can be found in comprehensive reference books and online.

Plant survival with minimal maintenance is not the only issue in sustainability. Reducing the use of invasive plants that escape from managed landscapes, displace native plants and disrupt natural ecosystems is also of concern. It is important to research a plant to determine its growth rate, whether it spreads rapidly, water and fertilizer requirements, hardiness level and expected lifespan before you select it for a landscape. 

Building Materials

When selecting hardscapes consider these two key factors:

• How well does the material incorporate the principles of "reduce, reuse, recycle"?
• What is the product's impact on the environment once installed?

To achieve the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle—use fewer virgin materials in the design, reuse existing materials when possible, or select products made from recycled materials. Hardscape manufacturers are very aware of the sustainability movement in landscaping and as a result many products, in a variety of colors and textures, made from recycled materials are available. Many combine recycled plastics with wood by-products. These hardscape materials require almost no maintenance and in most cases last longer than wood. They can be used for decks, fences, benches, and planters.

Hardscape materials vary in their effect on the environment. For example, traditional concrete prevents water from soaking into the soil, thus increasing runoff, which can in turn carry contaminants into streams. Porous materials, such as permeable pavers, allow water to soak into the soil and reduce runoff. If you are planning to add a new patio or walkway to your landscape, consult with a design professional about your options for environmentally friendly hardscape materials.  Better yet, do some research on your own before meeting with the designer so you can be versed in these products.

Creating landscapes that are both environmentally sound and aesthetically pleasing is not difficult, but it does require careful attention to detail. As human populations grow, there is more pressure on our natural resources. Incorporating the principles of sustainability, however you define it, into new or existing landscapes will enhance the environment for humans, plants, and wildlife. Sustainable landscapes ultimately may be part of the solution to some of our environmental concerns.

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