by Heather McCargo Urban environments are dominated by pavement, the bane of most living things. One area ripe for community greening is the hellstrip – the narrow space between the sidewalk and street curb. Sometimes planted in grass, filled with weeds, mulch or simply bare trampled earth, this public space could be planted with tough […]
Archive | Native Plants
Landscaping with a Purpose – What’s Diversity Got To Do with It?
February 15, 2018 in Native Plants, Wildlife Habitats
by Dr. Randi Eckel In the fragmented ecosystems where we live and work, the importance of diversity in our landscapes cannot be over emphasized. Diversity of native plants, insects, mammals, birds, amphibians…. They all play a crucial role in sustaining a healthy environment. (more…)
Book Review: Native Plants for New England Gardens
February 15, 2018 in Book and DVD Reviews, Native Plants
Written by Mark Richardson and Dan Jaffe Published by Globe Pequot Press, March 1, 2018 Reviewed by Angela Tanner As a landscape designer, my clients request low-maintenance gardens more than any other site feature, and I typically recommend native plants as a solution. However daunting the site conditions, there is usually a native plant that […]
Sowing Native Seed
January 15, 2018 in Gardening Basics, Native Plants
by Heather McCargo The seeds of wild plants have a different set of needs than those of common garden and vegetable species. Most gardeners think of spring as the time to sow seeds, but for most native plants in Maine fall to early winter is the best time. Many wildflowers, trees and shrubs have seeds that […]
Parasitic Plants for Gardens and Landscapes
December 15, 2017 in Native Plants
by Ian Caton Parasitic plants for the home garden? The notion usually elicits one of two responses: “Aren’t parasites bad? Why would you want them in your garden?” or “I would love to have them in my garden, but aren’t they uncultivatable?” (more…)
Bringing Back Native Thistles
October 16, 2017 in Native Plants
by the Xerces Society Native thistles are a largely misunderstood and wrongly maligned group of wildflowers. Often confused with their prickly, invasive relatives such as Canada thistle, in reality, native thistles are benign and valuable plants that fill a variety of significant niches alongside more esteemed wildflowers such as coneflowers, prairie clovers, and blazing star. […]
“Gardens Gone Native” Garden Tour
June 15, 2017 in Native Plants
Seven years of educating the public on the intrinsic value and benefits of gardening with California native plants by Colene Rauh In its seventh year, this Northern Sacramento Valley garden tour features landscapes that demonstrate the versatility and creativity as well as the drought tolerance of most California native plants. (more…)
An Introduction to Joe-Pye
May 15, 2017 in Native Plants
by Ian Caton Joe-Pye weed is a familiar sight in wetlands and roadside ditches and is commonly used in the landscape trade. However, understanding and identifying the differences between the various species is difficult for many who aren’t botanists. Further, the information available to designers about the specific habitats for each species is often vaguely […]
High-Impact Native American Shrubs
May 15, 2017 in Gardening Basics, Native Plants
by Thomas Berger In recent years homeowners have developed a consciousness about the need to include more native plants in their gardens. But when thinking of native shrubs in particular, what often comes to mind are bulky plants that appear “out of scale” and are sparse in ornamental features. Serviceberry, Chokeberry and American Cranberry Bush […]
Prairie-Oak Ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest
May 15, 2017 in Native Plants, Trees
text and photos by Eileen Stark Plants, the primary producers on this planet, belong to irreplaceable, intricate ancient ecosystems, within which they support and depend on other species – both flora and fauna – to survive. I like to think of it as an everlasting give and take. These systems are so complex that even minor […]