Natives Outshine the Competition

Hello again, I've never been one to run through the sprinklers. At least at work that is.  But lately, if there is water in the air, I'm trying to get under it.  This is hot folks!  You didn't need me to tell you that though.  After the forth consecutive day above 100 degrees, I had a tough time getting the urge to go out and take pictures.  If you are outside all day like a lot of you probably are, I'm not complaining.  I have it made being able to work in an air-conditioned office.  If the weatherchannel.com report is correct, we should be back into the 80's by Sunday.  That will be a relief. 

Liatris spicata
If there were ever any reason to promote natives, times like these really market them well.  While walking through the gardens this morning, I noticed that most of the plants that looked best were native plants.  This picture has both the Liatris and the Eryngium yuccifolium otherwise known as Rattlesnake Master.  This combo borders our native area.  These were planted three years ago now, and are doing a great job turning this area into a somewhat designed native garden.

Parthenium integrifolium
I think I talk about this plant every year.  I also think that it's probably because it fills a time when not much else is looking great.  Sure the Echinacea are blooming everywhere, but you already know about those.  I have this planted in many areas now, but I like it best mixed with the Liatris and in another area with Geranium 'Bevan's Variety'.  The bold textured foliage looks great with fine textured plants like grasses as well.

Monarda Grand Marshall™

While it is very dry outside, there are some parts of our landscape that get plenty of moisture.  Water running from our Yard Shoppe display area filters into the garden that has Grand Marshall™.  This keeps this area well watered without having to put the labor into hand watering it.  When designing this garden, it was my intent on putting things there that I don't have enough water for in other gardens.  Ligularia, Carex elata 'Aurea', and various Astilbe have done well here.

Hopefully the next week we'll have some refreshing temperatures out there.  Right now it seems like a dream.  Until next time, have a great day!

Iowa Shade Tree Short Course and INLA Tradeshow

Happy New Year to all,
It has been a while since I've written a post, but have been asked to let you all know about a great educational opportunity. In Ames, Iowa, the Iowa Shade Tree Short Course and INLA Trade show will be taking place on February 22-23, 2012. Several great plants people will be on hand sharing their knowledge like Mike Yanny from Johnson's Nursery in Menomenee Falls, WI and Ed Lyons from Allen Centennial Garden in Madison, WI. Keynote speakers are Marty Grunder from Ohio and Jason Grobosky from Rutgers University. Rex Bastian from The Care of Trees and Carrie Tauscher of The Morton Arboretum from Illinois will be speaking as well as ANLA Political Guru Craig Regelbrugge. These folks as well as others will be there in a great event. Last year was my first time at this event, and I got a lot out of it. This year, I will also have the pleasure of speaking to the masses in presentations titled, "Success with Ornamental Grasses," and "Are You Ready to Talk to Your Customers About Natives?". Here is a link to the program if you are interested in attending. http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/_repository/2012/shadetree/pdf/workshops.pdf

I hope to see some of you there. Until next time, have a great day!

Natives Now!

By Christa Orum-Keller

There's never been a better time for Native Plants!

Midwest has long been a proponent of using native plants, some might say we have been so before our time, but if ever there were a time for using native plants, it is now.

A few reasons to plant natives:

• Native plants are preferred by the Sustainable Sites Initiative
• Native plants are preferred by many city, county, state and federal institutions
• They can help reduce maintenance costs, particuarly in relation to mowing and turf chemical costs
• Most species offer disease resistance
• Native plants can help reduce runoff
• Deep roots on so many species make them more drought resistant
• Native plants are a resonsible ecological landscaping alternative
• Most native plants are winter hardy, durable and long lived

The American Beauties Native Plant program offers an easy way to help the public, landscape designers and contractors use native plants - in all native plantings, or in combined plantings. They have an excellent website http://www.abnativeplants.com/ and attractive containers and labels. And the American Beauties Native Plant program partners with the National Wildlife Foundation (NWF). The American Beauties program is promoted by the NWF. By using American Beauties Native Plants, you can help your customers obtain their NWF Wildlife Habitat Certification. Learn more here: http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/certify.cfm?campaignid=

But most of all - Native Plants are BEAUTIFUL!!!

We are approaching the height of color and interest for many of our prairie species. In fact, here are just a few of our American Beauties Native Plants which are blooming in our St. Charles trial gardens right now.

Geum triflorum
Prairie Smoke
12-18"
Full sun

Small statured, under-used, graceful little plant. Beautiful in flower and a peculiar little surprise which explains its name after flowering.











Eryngium yuccifolium
Rattlesnake Master
3-4'
Full Sun

Wonderful toothed edged blue green foliage, later in summer, whiteish blue round spikey flowers - amazing!












Penstemon digitalis
Foxglove Beardtongue
4-6'
Full Sun to part shade

Clouds of striking spikes of flowers right now!













Echinacea pallida
Pale Purple Coneflower
3-4'
Full Sun

Pastel, gentle petals fall away from seedhead and float romantically with its prairie partners.












Amorpha canescens
Lead Plant
3'
Full Sun

Delicate blue green foliage will make a perfect backdrop as soon as the blue/purple flowers open.












Silphium terebinthinaceum
Prairie Dock
3' foliage with 6-8' flowers
Full Sun

King of the prairie if there ever was one - broad, rough leaves create an impressive broad texture and backdrop for delicate folaige and flowers. Wonderful when paired with the fine texture of Sporobolus.























Silphium laciniatum
Compass Plant
3' foliage with 6-8' flowers
Full Sun

If you're lost, you can easily find the foliage of Compass Plant and you'll find your way!














Heliopsis helianthoides
False Sunflower
5'
Full Sun to partial shade

The perfect happy yellow!

Tradescantia ohiensis
Spiderwort
3'

Full sun to part shade