It’s no secret that nature in Alaska is nothing but breathtakingly impressive. Home to rugged mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, diverse species of Alaska wildlife, abundant marine life, and jaw-dropping scenery in Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park, Alaska landscape and landscape and nature are one-of-a-kind.

So, when planning a landscape design in Alaska, you must pay undivided attention to what nature and climate say! To create your Alaskan oasis, give thought to the following:

• Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

• Study the climate and soil conditions of your area

• Choose hardy plants that can survive Alaska’s extreme conditions and harsh winters

• Create a well-planned design that strikes a balance between functionality and aesthetics

• Consider the amount of sunlight your outdoor space receives throughout the year

Just like its awe-inspiring scenery and mesmerizing landscapes, Alaska boasts some of the most exotic floral displays.

If you are looking for a native flower that masterfully portrays the unmatched beauty of Alaska, look no further than the forget-me-not flower. It’s no surprise that this is the state’s official flower— after all, the clusters of blossoms cover your backyard with breathtaking blue clouds.

However, if you fancy making a statement that celebrates your unique, eccentric personality, grow western columbine. Its yellow petal blades contrast with the flower’s blaring red color, bringing to your backyard scene a wow-worthy masterpiece. For even more inspiration, check out the following native flowers:

• Small-Flowered Paintbrush

• False Azalea

• Nagoonberry

• Monkey Flower

• Alaska Moss Heather

• Dwarf Fireweed

• Pond Lily

• Pretty Shooting Star

• Liverleaf Wintergreen

• Yellow Marsh-Marigold

It’s quite normal to feel lost when designing your Alaskan outdoor space. To ease your way into your landscape design, start by brainstorming some of the most captivating focal points.

In plain English, a focal point is this destination that gives your yard purpose and converts it into something special. As an architectural feature, focal points smoothly steal visitors’ attention once they enter your backyard.

Whether it’s a hot tub, a fireplace, or a sauna, this focal point alone can turn your now-boring outdoor space into a mesmerizing retreat!

When you grow your plants, flowers, vegetables, and fruits without the use of agricultural chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), this is for sure what is called organic gardening.

Organic gardening is your way to go whether you want to grow some vegetables and fruits to enjoy a superior taste, maintain your physical health by steering clear of chemicals, or preserve good quality soil.

When gardening the organic way in your Alaskan backyard, make sure to follow these instructions:

• Select cold-hardy plants that can tolerate Alaska’s extreme weather conditions: radish, carrots, broccoli, turnip, leaf lettuce, apples, plum, or cherries

• Add some organic soil health boosters like compost

• Encourage deep root growth by watering your plants wisely

As the name already suggests, ground covers are low-growing plants covering your yard’s ground, spreading across your outdoor space’s soil. Whether you want to replace some bare spots in your lawn, spare yourself regular, time-consuming maintenance, control soil erosion, or opt for a grass alternative for the shady spots in your yard, ground cover is the right answer.

Wondering how to choose ground covers for your Alaskan landscape design? The trick is to choose the ground covers that match your area’s climate and soil type. Ivy, ajuga, astilbes, and hardy geraniums are some of the commonly grown ground covers all over Alaska.

As you might imagine from the state’s beyond-beautiful nature, Alaska’s wildlife is simply incredible! To map out a landscape design that is specially tailored to be home to the diverse wildlife available in Alaska, you need to learn more about the birds, mammals, and amphibians that already exist in your local area.

Building a safe environment for wildlife depends on 3 main factors: food, water, and shelter.

Start by growing native flowers, shrubs, fruit-bearing trees, and bird feeders to attract local wildlife who are accustomed to feeding on these plants. Then, build a bird bath or a small pond to provide a constant source of fresh water. Finally, by getting creative with branches and twigs, you can build real-life-like shelters along with some birdhouses.

Extending the charm of Alaska’s breathtaking natural beauty to your backyard and making it just another piece of nature’s wonders call for a well-planned 3D design. No matter your style, personality, preferences, dreamscapes, or budget, there’s always a design that meets your needs.

ShrubHub offers its services throughout the USA from California to Maine and everywhere. Luckily, nowhere is off-limits for us!

Driven by our main goal of creating homey environments and exhilarating experiences right in the heart of our clients’ backyards, our brilliant designers harness their extraordinary skills and show off their talents using state-of-the-art technology. The result? Your dream yard is brought to life!