In a natural ecosystem, there are a wide variety of organisms that depend on each other. It is a diversified setting where prey and predators tend to keep each other in balance. For instance, the aphids that attack honeysuckles are gobbled up by ladybug beetles, which are eaten by birds. All we have to do to reproduce these natural relationships is plant several different plants that will attract a large number of living organisms.

The important thing is not to choose just one kind of plant. For a hedge, we will have more success creating a balanced environment with different shrubs rather than a wall of one type of plant. A bed filled with a variety of shrubs, perennials and bulbs is much better than one with a specific plant, or a monoculture.

To create a diversified habitat in our home garden, we can try flowering plants that produce nectar, pollen and fruit. These types of plants are good sources of food for natural predators like insects and birds that feed on parasitic and harmful organisms.

Some examples of plants that attract beneficial insects to keep a garden in balance are:
-- plants in the carrot family such as dill and parsley
-- the mint family like lemon balm and thyme
-- the cabbage family like radishes, mustard and broccoli and also, daisies

These plants would all look great in our home garden.

For more information about ecological gardening log onto the Native Landscapes Garden Center website at www.NativeLandscaping.net.

And tune in to hear "The Living Landscape" with Pete Muroski throughout the day on LIME Radio, Sirius Satellite channel 114. Thanks for visiting "The Living Landscape".