Business in Front, Party in the Back - Designing a Native Landscape Your Neighbors will Appreciate

Even the most thoughtfully designed native landscape can sometimes be misunderstood or even viewed as problematic by neighbors or local municipalities. What begins as an effort to support biodiversity, conserve water, and celebrate regional ecology may unintentionally clash with community expectations or aesthetic norms.

This presentation explores practical strategies for creating front‑ and backyard native landscapes that are both ecologically rich and socially harmonious. Attendees will learn how to balance naturalistic design with neighborhood-friendly structure, discover plant selections that offer beauty without appearing “untended,” and gain techniques for communicating the value of native landscaping to even the most skeptical passerby.

Whether you’re looking to refine an existing native garden or start fresh with a design that blends ecological function and curb appeal, this session will provide inspiration, guidance, and actionable ideas to help your landscape thrive - while keeping the peace with those around you.

Speaker: David (Dave) Neu, Native Landscape Designer and owner of NatureSpace LLC.