Wildflowers: Liatris Native to the Southeast
Karen Meyers Often known as gayfeathers or blazing stars, these herbaceous perennials are a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, zinnia, and lettuce. They are native to North…
Plant Profile: Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliana)
Karen Native to the Great Plains of central North America, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. With a rhizomatous…
Meadow Garden: Native Sedges
Sedges offer numerous benefits to meadows and some can be used instead of turf grass for lawns. They are aesthetically pleasing and play a significant role in in the ecological…
Meadow Garden: Native Flowering Annuals
Native annuals can be used to enhance the meadow garden in many ways. Most annuals bloom with vibrant colors over a long bloom time and are easy to grow from…
Plant Profile: Hybrid Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida)
Hybrid Japanese anemone is a herbaceous perennial often sold as A, japonica. It is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes delphinium, clamatis, and hellebore. Plants form…
Meadow Garden: Low Growing Sun Tolerant Native Flowering Perennials
Low growing flowering perennials can add a range of benefits to a meadow garden from aesthetic appeal and biodiversity to soil stabilization and weed suppression. Both flowers and foliage enhance…
Meadow Garden: Mid-Sized Native Flowering Perennials for Mesic to Wet Soil in Sun
The use of mid-sized native flowering perennials in a meadow garden adds color, texture, and biodiversity while blending well with the grasses that characterize a meadow. In addition, the plants…
Plant Profile: Perennial Flax (Linum perenne)
Native to Europe, this semi-evergreen short-lived perennial is a member of the flax family, Linaceae, that includes 250 species. It grows 1-2′ tall from a deep taproot and has thin…
Book Review: Garden Wild
Andre Baranowski’s book, Garden Wild, celebrates the aesthetic of the the new movement in contemporary landscape design that rejects manicured lawns and tightly pruned hedges and embraces the wilderness. The…
Meadow Garden: Tall Native Flowering Perennials for Mesic to Wet Soil in Full Sun
Including tall plants into a meadow garden enhances its ecological value, aesthetics, and functionality, while also supporting local biodiversity. Tall plants add visual interest and texture, create depth and dimension,…