The landscaping industry is witnessing an exciting shift toward the use of native plants as homeowners and businesses seek low-maintenance, eco-friendly landscaping. At the forefront of this movement is Confluence Habitats, a unique landscaping company that blends art, design, and ecology to reconnect people with the land in meaningful, sustainable ways.
Founded by Jennifer Wilson and Chris Olliges, Confluence Habitats is on a mission to show that landscapes can be beautiful, functional, and ecologically vital all at once. Their approach goes far beyond traditional landscaping, favoring native and edible plants that foster biodiversity and support essential pollinators. Alongside the ecological mindset that Confluence Habitats brings to its projects, the company is equally focused on listening to clients’ goals, needs, and desires for their outdoor spaces.
A new kind of yard
Confluence Habitats builds landscapes that are welcoming to humans while supporting the web of life. The company helps clients create spaces that are as beneficial as they are beautiful. Wilson, who’s a certified native landscaping professional through Grow Native!, shared more about Confluence Habitats and its services.
“Our clients are often looking for a multifunctional outdoor space, something that is beautiful to look at but also serves another purpose,” Wilson says. “We can design your space to help with water issues, feed your family, or provide a natural playscape for your kids—whatever your goals may be.”
While Wilson focuses on the in and outs of designing with and caring for native plants, Olliges brings a wealth of experience in both organic farming and construction to project implementation. His unique skillset and passion for finding the best solution for each problem allow Confluence Habitats to efficiently execute a wide range of projects.
For example, one client raved: “Confluence Habitats definitely exceeded our expectations! From the first contact through completion of the projects, communication was incredible. They solved the drainage issues in our yard surrounding our chicken coop, built landscaping stairs from the back door, and secured a retaining wall. We could not be happier!”
Your Yard As Habitat: The power of native and edible plants
Wilson encourages St. Louis residents to see their outdoor spaces in a new light.
“Many butterflies and moths can only eat the leaves of certain native plants during the caterpillar stage,” says Wilson. “About 25 percent of our native bees are specialists, who can only gather pollen from specific native plants.” Seeing your yard as habitat, rather than just another chore, creates space for pollinators to thrive.
Native plants are the foundation of Confluence Habitats’ work. They are crucial for restoring ecological health as they support local pollinators, require less water, and are naturally adapted to the region’s climate.
“In all of our gardens, we try to include what are called keystone species,” says Wilson. “Those are the species that generally support the most life.”
Incorporating native edible plants takes the idea even further, allowing landscapes to nourish people and wildlife while providing aesthetic beauty.
Serviceberry, Black Chokeberry, Pawpaw, and Spicebush are just a few examples of plants that not only thrive locally but also offer delicious, nutritious harvests. For anyone curious about incorporating native plants into their own yard, Wilson recommends starting with beginner-friendly species. Among the options:
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)
- Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)
- Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Services That Grow With You
Confluence Habitats offers a range of services designed to help clients reimagine their outdoor spaces. The company’s offerings include:
- Landscape Design
- Landscaping & Edible Garden Installation
- Rainwater Management Solutions
- Garden Coaching Services
- Garden Stewardship
“Maintenance can be just as important as the initial installation,” says Wilson.
The company offers ongoing stewardship to provide expert care and to help ensure the investment in your space will be a success through life’s busy seasons.
Whether it’s a small front-yard pollinator patch, a backyard vegetable garden, or a community green space, the company’s work is rooted in the belief that healthier ecosystems begin right outside our doors.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Confluence Habitats. Learn more at confluencehabitats.com.
