Q: What unused native plants do you like? I'm worried about us fans, we have the same problem in our garden when we plant the same thing and then use different varieties.
Answer: I myself am very angry about this. We like to use local natives (at least for most species in our garden), but at the same time we want these plants to always be diverse. If we were all stuck with the same twenty or thirty best options, that would certainly be better than the alternative, but not as environmentally friendly as ours. Some plant species may carry a disproportionate burden for sustaining large numbers of wild animals, but that doesn't mean we should ignore species we don't understand or don't yet understand in terms of species relationships.
My list of favorite native plants is quite long, but I wish some species were more widely available to gardeners because they seem to make a good addition to our garden or fill the field, at least depending on where they grow. . That said, your mileage may vary, but as long as you try to match the plants to your site conditions, especially if you notice where they grow best naturally, you'll have a better chance of success with them. Residence.
Unfortunately, native plants found in groups often do not have seeds or seedlings, and many come directly from nurseries to habitat restoration efforts. This may be one reason why species I consider valuable rarities are underutilized At a symposium I attended last summer, the speaker explained that the United States Bureau of Land Management is the largest buyer of seed in the Western Hemisphere, and when it can't get enough local seed to meet its needs, it is forced to add more. . .. with natives. The nursery industry looks for more suppliers and sustainable seeds or planting material, so I understand that creating a wish list is an uphill battle. This means that it can be more difficult to find plants underneath.
That said, here are some of my favorite races if you're inspired:
- Violet woodsorrel (Oxalis violasa): A well-characterized ground cover for shady, dry areas, the leaves often have attractive brown chevrons.
- St. Andrew's Cross (Hypericum hypericoides): Same uses as above, smaller leaves, compact habit and X-shaped yellow flowers.
- Crown (Euphorbia corollata): I think of it as a "breath of nature" - it's a great accent to mix with floral arrangements and vibrant colors, and I've seen specimens with bright red leaves.
- Azure Blue (Houstonia caerulea): Of course, you can't see them when they're not in bloom because the leaf clusters are so small, but the flowers vary by plant size.
- Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea): Imagine a miniature version of this exotic tropical flower on a pastel yellow-green, hardy (with considerable competition) vine that can sometimes be marked with silvery leaves. And you have a great candidate for partial shade climbing, a little taller than most sun-loving vines.
- Lancet Frog (Phila lanceolata): Great name and sophisticated beauty, but reminiscent of the humble lantana (they're from the same family), changing flower structure and throat color when open. Small butterflies, such as pearl moths, love nectar.
Q: I recently planted pepper seedlings outside, now it's much easier. Some are still blooming because I think I planted them indoors too early. Are there any pollinators that I can see now so I can start with them in the fall?
A: Probably yes, but we recommend removing those early blooms so that the slow-growing young pepper plants can devote their energy to flowering and fruiting in order to develop a good root system. For the next three weeks, pinch off any flowers that form and bloom normally. Also remove flower buds and open flowers just before planting or for similar reasons on tomato, eggplant, squash, cucumber and watermelon seedlings.
The University of Maryland Home and Garden Extension Information Center offers free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic . Click on "Request Extension" to submit questions and images.
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