Growing Wild: Working with Native Landscapes
Mississippi is located in a unique subtropical climate zone where an interesting fusion of traditional and tropical plant palettes collide. In the South, we’re no strangers to creeping vines climbing over entire walls or “weeds” taking over our garden beds. Some folks will ask us, “Are you going to cut down that weed before our event?” Sometimes its difficult to see something as beautiful when you know it as a common nuisance in your own garden.
When you learn about the owner’s background in landscape architecture, you realize the intentionality behind our relationship with the natural elements and how biophilic design plays a crucial role in developing a unique, positive environment. At The Plant Venue, letting the exterior landscape grow wild (within reason) is a large part of our design ethos. If you can learn to embrace it, watching each tree, plant, and creeping vine grow significantly each year is an inspiring experience.
When The Plant Venue structure was originally discovered after years of abandonment, it was tangled in yards of poison ivy on where vultures had created a sort of villainous headquarters atop the historic concrete structure. While poisonous plants were obviously the first things to be stripped away from the building, we were inspired to continue embracing the theme of landscape succession with friendlier vines like Virginia creeper, English ivy, and Wisteria.
One guest favorite during peak months is our iconic wisteria, a woody vine known for its fragrant blue-purple flowers in Spring and stunning dark green leaves from summer to late autumn. Native to the State of Mississippi, the vines will continue to grow roots that develop into a hearty tree as the stems latch on to the concrete beams in The Courtyard. These whimsical vines will continue to wrap around the supportive structure and eventually cover the open-air area, creating a gorgeous overhead canopy.
Other show-offs during the spring and summer months are our towering Mimosa trees, elephant ears, banana trees, and colorful canna lilies scattered about the campus. If you’re looking to getting married in front of The Courtyard garden during peak seasons, we highly recommend looking at late spring, early summer, and autumn as prime time for a stunning natural backdrop.
Another commonly overlooked area on campus is our stormwater retention pond, a small constructed wetland and a celebration of Mississippi’s diverse native landscape. The pond is home to hundreds of common goldfish visited frequently by the industrial park’s famed white hawk, perching in the bald cypress and sycamore trees. Other plant life features include aquatic water lilies, horsetail, and an assortment of native grasses with deep roots that help capture stormwater runoff.
Preserving native landscapes and grasses offers numerous benefits, contributing to the health and resilience of local ecosystems. Native plants provide essential support for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which are crucial for the reproduction of many flowering species. Additionally, native vegetation plays a significant role in reducing water runoff, thereby improving both water and soil conservation. Healthy native habitats enhance wildlife refuges, providing essential shelter and food sources for various species. Preservation of biodiversity is critical for maintaining ecological balance, as diverse ecosystems are better equipped to withstand environmental changes.
Robert Poore, FASLA, Native Habitats, Inc. & Travis Crabtree, ASLA, Tree Design Co.
Native landscapes can also help mitigate noise pollution, creating quieter, more serene environments that benefit both wildlife and communities.The exterior landscape at The Plant Venue is a defining feature integrated into the campus that reflects our design ethos and translates into stunning seasonal backdrops for events of all kinds. To learn more about our interior plantscapes, head over to the next blog “Biophilic Design: Bringing Nature Indoors.”
