If you stumbled onto this post chances are I don't have to convince you on the value of native plants in your garden/yard/any greenspace. You most likely already know how valuable that island of native vegetation is to pollinators and other wildlife. What you may not know, or may not acknowledge, is that your neighbors might consider your native plant patch obnoxious if not ugly or a nuisance. Believe me, I'll be the first one to tell anyone that I find unkempt joe pye weed, cord grass or sneezweed spilling out of "its designated place" beautiful. I also know that to convince some neighbors to start using natives, you have to manicure your garden (at least at first). It seems to be particularly important if you live in the city and have small areas to plant natives, live in an association type setting or have neighbors who are just a pain. Remember - the goal is to provide habitat, enjoy a beautiful show of flowers AND convince your neighbors to follow suit. Here are few practical tips:
1. Start with a plan - no seriously, think it through before you go to your native plant sale. It is so easy to get over enthusiastic and wanting to buy every species.
a. Take some time, draw it, picture it and remember prairie plants grow larger in a garden setting
b. Speaking of prairie plants - perhaps your yard is shaded and you would do better with a woodland plants or at least savannah species. Also, see where you plant. If placing plants by a fence see if it is north or south of it. If the plants are to the south of the fence ( fence is to the north of the flowers) the plants will be exposed to more sun.
c. Consider moisture. Is the soil well drained (plant mesic) or perhaps you have nice muddy puddles forming after a small rainfall (wet prairie plants - maybe some sedge meadow).
2. Resist the urge to get tall plants - don't get me wrong, I love me some silphiums. I have them growing against a fence but in all reality they do not look too good unless you have a large area to work with (which I do not). They need context, in a natural type of way. If you have your heart set on them put them in a corner or against a fence. Both prairie dock and compass plants (and to some extent cup plants) have leaves that provide great textures for winter gardens. I'll try to follow with a list of short and medium height plants soon.
3. Get something easy and showy to convince the neighbors. It is hard to find someone who would not appreciate blazing stars or spiderworts. They are beautiful and can be a good conversation starter. They (especially spiderworts) produce so much seed - a nice neighborly gesture to the interested (or guerrilla native plant seeding )
4. Get a couple plants of each species. This has multiple advantages - more plants increase the chance that this particular species will survive in your garden. It will look more pleasing to have a larger clump of species of choice. Also when seeds are produced greater genetic diversity will be present. More of the same might also give more opportunities for pollinators that like that particular plant to come back and "spread the word."
5. Don't expect it to be completely hassle free. Yes, native plants need less grooming and less water. But... there is a but... at first they might need almost as much care. Especially if you want them to 'behave' in a given way. It is ok to tie plants to the fence, have rocks, mulch or other things outlining the area where they are growing.
As much as you might want a wild prairie in the backyard remember we are ambassadors for natives plants and sometimes playing nice can get more results, you know you can attract more flies (or bees) with honey than with vinegar
I promise to do more on this later....
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