Four Star Ratings for Formal Landscaping

Landscaping with native plants to benefit the myriad wildlife species that depend on them is a noble endeavor. However, neighbors might only view it as noble if they find your plants attractive. Our four-star rating system will aid in winning neighbor approval when using natives in a formal location.

• 4-Star plants have a refined shape, attractive leaves, and (typically) showy flowers. It looks good for most of the growing season. The owner would be proud to have it on the front row in the front of their home or business.
• 3-Star plants can be used on the front line facing the street. Most have attractive flowers, but the foliage doesn't last the season or doesn't look as formal as four-star plants. It is better to plant most 3-star plants behind four-star foliage.
• 2-Star plants are typically taller. They usually have attractive flowers but often have foliage with formalness issues. Most 2-Star plants will look fine in the back of a formal planting where their flowers will still make a show. There are some large species that look good all over, all season. We have given these large plants four stars.
• 1-Star plants are often desired for their wildlife or plant community value, but not for the front yard. They are usually tall. it takes serious creativity to find a place for them in a formal situation.

You can filter our plants according to their Formalness Rating here.