Gardeners in the Chippewa Valley have a large number of choices when selecting perennial plants for their flower gardens and landscapes.
Sometimes the selection of these plants can cause the gardener strife as many are not tolerant of our winter cold or worse, they become invasive.
A solution to the agony of watching the latest and greatest perennial suffer winter kill or invade your landscape is to use native plants.
Native plants are plants that are indigenous to a particular region. For Wisconsin, native plants are defined as those present in an area prior to European settlement. Native plants will vary from county to county, state to state, and region to region. For example, even though big bluestem is native to WI and it grows in our area, it is not native to the Chippewa Valley. As is the case with dandelion, it was introduced by the European settlers because they thought it was pretty.
Native plants are a great selection for landscapes and gardens because they have stood the test of time and require very little maintenance. These plants have been exposed to harsh winters, extreme drought, occasional flooding, and consistent pestilence, and continue to survive. Once established, these plants seldom need watering, mulching, protection from frost, or continuous mowing. Native plants provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, birds, and other animals. In contrast, many introduced horticultural plants do not produce nectar and require insect and disease control to survive.
Not only do native plants require less maintenance, but they also protect the local landscape from soil erosion, increase water infiltration and slow water runoff, and improve soil structure. How do they do it? The answer is in their roots. Many native plants have root systems that go deep into the soil profile. On average, only one-third of a native plants’ biomass is above ground. This allows natives to survive drought, temperature extremes, and pests. Because of their deep root systems, these root systems store abundant food for the plant so it can survive above ground environmental extremes.
Using native plants in the local landscape is a great way to bring a natural look to anyone’s backyard. Native plants can be used for foundation plantings and area plantings, and are the best choice for rain gardens. Native plantings have an interesting uniqueness about them so there are a few planting tips to keep in mind.
Native plants, whether grasses, forbs, shrubs, or trees, all require a specific site to grow best. Make sure the soil type, sunlight requirements, and moisture needs are met for the native plants selected. For example, cupplant grows best in moist to wet conditions whereas rough blazing star prefers a dryer location. If planning a rain garden, it is best to select natives that grow in a wide range of moisture conditions in case dry weather persists.
Remember to keep your native planting looking natural. Native plantings should be irregular with rounded corners and a wide selection of plants. It is best to think random when using native plants. Natives are generally used in non-formal landscaping but can be used formally. Also, remember to plant to size. Large plants look out of place in a small area. Large, taller grasses, forbs and shrubs can be used if the planting approaches a woods or fence. This is great way to transition from an urban setting to a native landscape.
The cost of establishing native plants is generally less over time than using introduced horticultural plants. The initial cost of native plant seed or plugs is higher but since natives are hardier and are true perennials, the need for replanting or renovation is nearly non-existent. Some forbs or wildflower seed can cost as much as $80/ounce. A native planting should be looked at as a long-term investment.
Native plants usually take longer to establish and do not look great initially. Prairie plants especially take the first few years establishing a strong root system. Weeding of the native planting is needed the first two years but after that very little maintenance is required.
Native plantings can be started with seeds or with plant plugs. In either case, grass plants comprise more than half of the natural prairie groundcover so they should comprise of half the planting. Forbs should make up the other 50% of the planting. A good rule is to use 6-10 grass species, like junegrass or woolgrass, and 30-40 flowering forbs. The best time to plant natives is from May 20-June 20. Most natives are warm season plants so the soil temperature should be above 60°F at planting time.
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