About Heyoka Natural Designs
Our Philosophy
What is Heyoka?
Most indigenous tribes in North America had a type of Heyoka.
Definition:
- The Heyoka is a kind of sacred clown in the culture of the Sioux (Lakota and Dakota people) of the Great Plains of North America. The heyoka is a contrarian, jester, and satirist, who speaks, moves, and reacts oppositely to the people around them... His satire presents important questions by fooling around. They ask difficult questions and say things others are too afraid to say. Their behavior poses questions, as do Zen koans. By reading between the lines, the audience can think about things not usually thought about things different , or to look at things differently. Principally, the heyókȟa functions both as a mirror and teacher at the same time, using extreme behaviors to mirror others, and forcing them to examine their own doubts, fears, hatreds, and weaknesses. .... Unbound by societal constraints, heyókȟa are able to violate cultural taboos freely and thus critique established customs. (Wikipedia.com)
How does this apply to us?
We take pride being a boutique design firm. We use the term "boutique" because we specialize in ONLY native plants. In today's climate, the traditional "lawn" does not make sense. The American landscape needs an over haul. We take pride in our non-cookie cutter style that is low maintenance and ecologically friendly.
Like the Heyoka, we install landscapes that make people question the "norm". We install change, with the hope of a better ecological future. Our landscape designs are functional and sustainable WITHOUT draining our natural resources, including our precious water supply.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
EDUCATE, CREATE, RESTORE, PRESERVE/MAINTAIN
WE EDUCATE ourselves and our clients on the importance of using native plants. Including each plant's function in our ecoregion and the life it supports.
WE CREATE landscapes that are low maintenance , functional and beautiful. Each of our designs is meticulously planned to balance uncommon native plants and common species while having seasonal interest and flow. We create a personal connection with nature by bringing your landscape to life.
WE RESTORE landscapes by using species from your sites personal historic plant climate community. Our designs include at least 90% of native species from your ecoregion and 100% of our plants are native to your state.
WE PRESERVE your investment by providing a maintenance plan after your installation is complete. You can choose to follow a maintenance "prescription" on your own, OR we can provide you with full service maintenance of your choosing. If you like to think outside the box. we offer less conventional maintenance plans, such as goat grazing. We work with local goat farmers to provide a service that benefits your landscape, the goats AND the Earth!
To Heyoka Designs, your landscape isn't just just another quote or job, your landscape our artistic passion.
What and Why Native Plants
What is a Native Plant?
A native plant has evolved naturally in a region/ ecosystem over a period of time without human introduction.
An ecosystem is the makeup of the sum of all living organisms in the area , including the makeup of all the native plants.
Native Plants:
- Improve soil health and quality
- Roots control erosion by stabilizing and increasing soil
- Capture rainwater runoff
- Purify toxins out of the rainwater
- Do not need fertilizer
- Are Pest and disease-fre
I am sure you have heard people saying to plant more Milkweed to save the monarchs. That is because milkweed is a host plant and a host plant provides food for when that monarch is in its caterpillar cycle of its life. It will then lay its eggs on the plant. Every pollinator and moth species has a native host plant that they need to continue their life cycle. When you pull that weed more than likely we are taking away from some sort of life support to a species.
When we purchase the plants for your landscape we use local growers and nurseries who specialize in native plants. We strive to restore and create diverse and lasting landscapes.