help for Friends House community - Ask Extension
We are a Quaker-oriented retirement community with an active environment committee interested in guiding native tree and shrub planting on various par...
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help for Friends House community #880816
Asked August 09, 2024, 10:47 AM EDT
We are a Quaker-oriented retirement community with an active environment committee interested in guiding native tree and shrub planting on various parts of the campus (in Sandy Spring, MD). Can you help us with specific recommendations of appropriate plantings and arranging them on several common areas of the campus? We have started with a strip of land termed a berm and realize we could use some expert advice. Could you come for a site visit? Thank you.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Thank you for reaching out to us. Our team does not offer on-site landscape design services. However, you are welcome to send us photos of the areas in question, and we may be able to make some recommendations for your space(s). We would need to know how the size of the space, much sun/shade the areas get, what the soil quality is like (dry? well-draining? Moist/irrigated?), and whether there is deer pressure (or do the grounds have a deer fence).
We have some basic resources to help with native tree and shrub selection (Recommended Native Plants), but in terms of design and placement, you may want to seek the services of a professional. Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals has a directory of professionals, including those who do conservation landscaping with native plants.
For support with trees (selecting & getting rebates), I recommend exploring the Tree Montgomery site and the various programs listed.
The Montgomery RainScapes program offers support for congregations planning to do conservation landscaping. The projects are intended for landscapes that help with improving stream water quality/stormwater management, but it may be a program worth looking into if you think your group could qualify. The application process for that program will open up again this fall.
Christa
We have some basic resources to help with native tree and shrub selection (Recommended Native Plants), but in terms of design and placement, you may want to seek the services of a professional. Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals has a directory of professionals, including those who do conservation landscaping with native plants.
For support with trees (selecting & getting rebates), I recommend exploring the Tree Montgomery site and the various programs listed.
The Montgomery RainScapes program offers support for congregations planning to do conservation landscaping. The projects are intended for landscapes that help with improving stream water quality/stormwater management, but it may be a program worth looking into if you think your group could qualify. The application process for that program will open up again this fall.
Christa
