What are soft landings? When I first came across this term at a native plant conference in winter of 2024, I had no idea what it was. And now, I see that I have been using soft landings most of my career, without even planning for it. Soft landings are plant filled places under key pollinator plants within the landscape. Trees are the biggest part of a landscape where pollinators live, whether they are butterflies, moths, bees, beetles, wasps, or many more. The area under those trees need to be protected for the pollinators.
Many gardeners and businesses plant trees alone within the lawn. And while this is picturesque, it is not good for the tree or the pollinators. Trees not only compete for nutrients with the grass, but fight against what the lawn wants. Overwatering of lawns and turf is one of the biggest killers of trees. Most trees (some exceptions) prefer to have regular watering, but want to dry out in between.
Soft landings begin by putting trees and shrubs in beds, not letting them grow in the death zone of grass. The purpose behind soft landings is to provide a place under trees and shrubs where pollinators of all life stages can drop, fall, or land to find a place to overwinter or pupate. Lawns are not typically such a place. They are usually monocultures, and are frequented mowed, sprayed, or trampled, making a dead zone for insects.
Where to Put Soft Landings in the Landscape
I recommend putting soft landings in wherever you have trees or shrubs. It can be as simple as putting a large tree ring with a groundcover. Or you can go all out and landscape out to the dripline of the tree, with a variety of flowering plants. These areas will not only protect the pollinators and other insects, they provide beauty to the landscape.
After learning about this concept, I realized that I had already been doing this, in my own way. I am a tree lover, and so I always strive to put my trees into landscape beds, surrounded by lower growing plants. These plants benefit the trees by not competing as much for nutrients, and some by adding them. And they protect the insect community as a whole. Also, the less lawn you have the less problems from Japanese beetles (the larvae feeds on grass roots).
Benefits
As mentioned above, soft landings provide a place for insects to shelter or complete their life cycles. Besides protecting insects, these spaces can provide additional beauty to the landscape or garden areas. If you mix in the proper diversity and number of plants, then you can also benefit from the added beauty. You can also add fruit plants, berries, or groundcovers like strawberries, creating a fruit tree guild.
By keeping turf away from the trees, there is less stress for the root zone of the trees from competition, but more importantly, from overwatering and over-fertilization. Lawns are notorious for needing regular upkeep of water, herbicide, and fertilizer to stay green and healthy-looking in a tough environment. All these things are hard on trees (most). So plant soft landings to improve tree health.
Insects that Utilize Soft Landings
In general, most insects would benefit from having cover of leaves under trees and shrubs. But some are more likely to use soft landings than others. Pollinators are the main category, and butterflies and moths mainly under that heading. Butterflies in the larval stage and most in the pupa stage spend time in leaf litter or lower down near ground level. This is because predators are less likely to find these life stages amongst the cover of leaves or brush. Moths are also in this category.
But it is also import to provide links between life stages of insects, as well as nearby nectaring locations. Soft landings provide these places. By placing flowering perennials, annuals, and grasses underneath key trees and shrubs, you can link together the life stages of a variety of insect pollinators.
Other insects which may utilize soft landings under trees and shrubs include:
- Bees
- Wasps
- Beetles
- Fireflies
- Leafhoppers
- Assassin bugs
- Bumblebees
What Components Make Up a Soft Landing?
When you begin to create spaces within the landscape for insects to land, you need to think outside the box. Besides the typical plantings, there are other components of soft landings to consider. Insects need more than just cover.
Besides plants, there is a need for leaf litter. Leaf litter includes leaf mater in various stages of decay. So it is important to leave the leaves among plants, nature will take care of the rest. Adding piles of stones can also help, by providing crevices and cracks for larger insects to hide. Brush piles and partially decaying logs are also important for a variety of pollinators.
Plants
Native plants of course, are the most important additions to soft landings. While it is alright to include some non-native plantings, be sure that they are not invasive in nature. At least, check for regionally adapted plants.
Native Plants for Soft Landings
Of course, the following list of plants are best suited for the Central Great Plains Region.
- Golden Alexanders – Zizia aurea
- Bluestars – Amsonia species
- Milkweeds – Asclepias species
- Wild ginger – Asarum canadense
- False Solomon’s Seal – Maianthemum racemosum
- Pussytoes – Antennaria species
- Elm-leafed Goldenrod – Solidago ulmifolia
- Drummond’s Aster – Symphyotrichum drummondii
- Mayapple – Podophyllum peltatum
- Virginia Waterleaf – Hydrophyllum virginiana
- Spiderwort – Tradescantia species
- Wild Geranium – Geranium species
- Mountain Mints – Pycnanthemum species
- Solomon’s Seal – Polygonatum biflorum
- Indian Pink – Spigelia marilandica
- Bloodroot – Sanguinaria canadensis
- Wood Poppy – Stylophorum diphyllum
- Wood Phlox – Phlox divaricata
- Canadian Anemone – Anemone canadensis
- Wild Columbine – Aquilegia canadensis
- Pitcher’s Clematis – Clematis pitcheri
- Wild Strawberry – Fragaria virginiana
- Wild Violets – Viola species
- Nodding Wild Onion – Allium cernuum
- Coral Bells – Heuchera species
Non-Native Plants
- Bleeding Heart – Dicentra species
- Barrenwort – Epimedium species
- Plantain Lily – Hosta species
- Daylilies – Hemerocallis species
Conclusion
Soft landings provide cover and safety for a variety of insect life stages, keeping them from danger of mowers, fertilizer, chemical sprays, and other attackers. Insects need a place within the landscape and ecosystems too. If you have trees, then you should be making soft landings under them.
Happy planting!
