A layered landscape provides space for
wildlife all year
[March 19, 2025]
There are many ways to support pollinators and
other wildlife in home landscapes, such as providing floral resources
throughout the season, planting host plants, and planting native plants.
In addition, consider creating a space for them to live out their life
cycles by creating vertical layers in the landscape.
Natural Systems as Models
Take a look at natural systems such as forests and prairies, and layers
of vegetation will be evident. Forests consist of grasses, flowers,
shrubs, understory, and canopy layers. Prairies also have distinct
layers throughout the season, from low-growing early-season plants to
the tallest late-blooming flowering plants and native grasses.
By mimicking these natural layers, space is provided for pollinators to
complete their entire life cycle from larvae to adults. Layers also
offer sheltered spaces for other wildlife, from frogs to birds to
mammals.
Keystone Tree Species
One important thing to consider is adding keystone tree species to the
layers. Keystone species are a relatively small number of plants that
support many animal species. Oaks, willows, cherries, pines, and poplars
support many moths, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Adding keystone trees is an essential first step to support wildlife,
but creating layers of shrubs, flowers, and grasses underneath the trees
is critical to support pollinator and beneficial insect populations at
all stages of their life cycle.
Creating Space for Wildlife to Thrive
According to pollinator conservationist Heather Holm, “Soft Landings are
diverse native plantings under keystone trees (or any other regionally
appropriate native tree). These plantings provide critical shelter and
habitat for one or more life cycle stages of moths, butterflies, and
beneficial insects. In addition to plants, soft landings include leaf
litter, duff, and plant debris.”
Turf grass underneath trees can struggle to thrive in shaded areas and
is limited in its ability to support diverse animal species. Adding
plugs of various native plants underneath established trees is a way to
create soft landings without damaging the tree roots.
Adding Native Plants
Native ferns, sedges, and flowering plants are good additions underneath
a tree to create layers.
Ferns can provide shelter and a safe space for overwintering animals.
Some native ferns that can be good additions are maidenhair fern (Adiatum
pedaltum), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), and Christmas fern (Polystichum
acrositchoides).
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A layered landscape has canopy and understory trees, shrubs, flowering plants,
and shrubs. Photo by Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle, Illinois Extension.
Sedges provide a grass-like texture to shaded areas.
Some native sedges that provide soft landings are Pennsylvania sedge
(Carex pensylvanica) and rosy sedge (Carex rosea). Bottlebrush grass
(Elymus hystrix) is another addition to a shaded area that provides
structure.
A variety of flowering plants can be added to the shaded ground
layer. Many flower in the spring before the tree canopy is filled
with leaves, but others flower throughout the season. Consider
adding some of these native flowers: wild columbine (Aquilegia
canadensis), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), Virginia bluebells
(Mertensia virginica), zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis), and
common blue violet (Viola sororia) to name a few.
Adding a variety of native plants under established trees allows
pollinators, beneficial insects, and other wildlife space to thrive
in a home landscape.
For questions on natural landscaping, connect with a local
University of Illinois Extension office from the
statewide map.
[Text received from Anita Wilkinson
Communications Program Coordinator]
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