Plant A Patch: Fall Glade Onion -- (Allium stellatum)
Also called the prairie onion, this late blooming native prefers full sun with some lightly dappled shade in extreme heat. It does well in sandy or rocky soils and will thrive in shallow soil. The green, grass-like leaves, which often disappear before the 12 – 18 inch flower stalks, give off a strong scent of …
Rethinking Lawns -- Part 2: Variations on a Theme
After almost two years of fighting a lost cause, we are truly ready to take the plunge. Once the heat of the summer dissipates, we are going to kill off the sorry patch of existing “lawn” we have and start over with an entirely new look. So far, I’ve had an interesting reaction …
Plant A Patch: Copper Iris (Iris fulva)
A perfect plant for use in a rain garden or as a water plant , the copper iris takes its name from its unique reddish-copper color blooms which appear in May and June.Small plants, they typically reach about 2 feet in height. They love full sun, but will tolerate part shade if planted in …
Plant A Patch - Barbara's Buttons (Marshallia caespitosa)
This diminutive native perennial features fragrant pinkish white blooms, somewhat reminiscent of pincushion flowers, on leafless, upright stems in late spring. A small plant, rarely more than 6 – 8 inches, it is perfect for rock gardens or the front of beds. Barbara’s buttons are drought tolerant, prefer full sun and dry, sandy …
Plant A Patch: Fame Flower/ Rock Pink -- ( Phemeranthus calycinus )
An incredibly tough native perennial succulent, Rock Pink or Fame Flower is an excellent choice for both rock gardens or container gardens. Being part of the purslanes family (related to portulaca or moss rose), it prefers full sun and dry, rocky soil in areas where it does not have to compete with larger, …
Plant A Patch: Hollowstem Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum)
Joe Pye Weed, long thought of as just a roadside weed, is finally coming into its own! This tall (4 – 7 feet) native thrives in moist to wet soil and full sun to partial shade. Fragrant pinkish-purple blooms which attract dozens of species of butterflies appear in July and continue …
Plant A Patch: Purple Poppy Mallow (callirhoe Involucrata)
One of a handful of plants that doesn’t just tolerate, but absolutely loves shallow, dry and rocky soil, purple poppy mallow features a low, mounded foliage and cup-shaped bright magenta flowers on upright stems. Once established, it blooms profusely in late spring and early summer (May and June) and then intermittently …
“Frenemies “ -- Bugs, Your Garden and You : Part 2: Designing for Bugs
If anyone had told me, even ten years ago, that I would be designing my yard to accommodate bugs, I would have called them crazy. Back then any and all bugs were the ENEMY and needed to be immediately eradicated — with powerful insecticides so that death would be almost instantaneous. Today the shelf that …
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