Oligoneuron rigidum Stiff Goldenrod (F,DM,A,A) 3 – 5 ft H x 2 – 3 ft W. Flat-topped yellow flower clusters in late summer. Multi-stemmed with long basal leaves and progressively shorter lanced shaped leaves near the crown. Hairy leaves (pubescent) feel velvety to the touch and have a nice sheen. Leaves may turn red in… Continue reading Oligoneuron rigidum – Stiff goldenrod
Category: Going Native
Echinacea purpurea Purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea Eastern purple coneflower (Su,M,A,N) 2 – 3 ft H x 1 – 2ft W. Pinkish purple daisy-like blooms in mid summer on single flowering stocks. Flower center is burnt orange spikes that become dark seed heads in fall. Dark green leaves and stems have course hair. Stems remain upright throughout winter and seed… Continue reading Echinacea purpurea Purple coneflower
Helianthus Annuus
Helianthus Annuus Sunflower (Su,D,AE,N) 2 – 8 ft H x 2 – 4 ft W. Annual. Bright yellow ray flowers surround a composite (many flowered) center. Blooming mid summer to fall. Great plant to bring in wildlife. Blooms: Mid Summer to early fall (Su) Moisture: Dry (D) Soil Type: All soil types when local ecotype… Continue reading Helianthus Annuus
Fall is near, it’s time to reflect on planting
When I look about the garden I see a lot of finished projects for the first time in a long time. This year’s been very productive. Not only have I found a few plants that are beneficial to both birds and me, I have found a new sense of appreciation for maintenance, the test of… Continue reading Fall is near, it’s time to reflect on planting
Anaphalis margaritacea – Pearly everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea – Pearly Everlasting (Su,D,S,N) 24″ tall x 12 – 36″ spread, mounded with bright leaves and white summer blooms from June to October. host plant Blooms: Summer (Su) Moisture: Medium to Dry (M-D) Soil Type: Sand (S) – being tested in clay (2021) check back! Range: Native (N) Started as: Seed Deer resistant… Continue reading Anaphalis margaritacea – Pearly everlasting
It’s coming
Seed germination for native prairie 2020
Using both indoor an outdoor sowing methods a new prairie of warm season bunch grasses, and forbs. Always review seed packets for stratification requirments. Spring Sowing – Indoor Methods Indoor Medium: Peat pots Indoor growing environment: Heat mat, 2 florescent lights on 12 hours. 1 plant light, 1 plain. Boeteloua curtipendula Side-oats grama propagation Indoor… Continue reading Seed germination for native prairie 2020
How to quantify results of a backyard shift to natives
For this to be a true effort in providing habitat to native pollinators and birds we must be able to identify the species involved as well as quantify the results. What is a measure of success? How many life cycles constitute a stable population? Of course the first goal is to see species the first… Continue reading How to quantify results of a backyard shift to natives
Seeds for the new Prairie garden
Originally Posted on 4/15/2019. These can be planted this fall. Sideoats Grama Seed (Bouteloua curtipendula) Item #: 21520 Grass Seed Weight: 1 Oz $4.00 Purple Prairie Clover Seed (Dalea purpurea) Item #: 16860 Seed Weight: 1/4 Oz $6.00 Switchgrass Seed (Panicum virgatum) Item #: 27570 Grass Seed Weight: 1 Oz $4.00 Fall Planting: Purchase… Continue reading Seeds for the new Prairie garden
How changing the gardens contents can change its vitality
The Going Native journey is not a statement. It’s not political, not artistic, not religious. It’s a journey by steps towards the best habitat I can create. It’s the new age ideal, ‘we are everything, and everything is us’, brought back to the physical. It’s finding pure balance in the nature I create. But it’s… Continue reading How changing the gardens contents can change its vitality