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Native Trees are the Best
I have recently seen several articles touting trees such as Bradford Pear and European black alder as easy to grow options for your yard. They are correct. What?????? Well they do grow well, really well, too well!!!! These species are non-native and increasingly invasive in Illinois and around the great lakes region. These are not excellent options for your yard! They are not even mediocre options, they are awful as they are on the cusp of being in increasingly crowded invasive species top ten list. Several others that are up there in the top ten woody invasive list in northern...
Container & Urban Native Gardens
Question: I have a roof top deck with planters in Chicago. Do you have any native plants that will work in this urban environment? Answer: Laurie, yes I believe I have some plants that may work for you. Admittedly I have never installed natives in a roof top planter, but dry prairie species should do the trick. I have several plants in mind that may just work for you. The plants I am recommending are showier plants that are on the hardy end of the spectrum, need less water than most plants, are shorter stature that should work better...
Plant Milkweed in the Fall?
Native Plant Conosoure: Hi! I was wondering if milkweed plugs can be planted in the fall, before the first freeze. Thanks! Natural Communities: I would say yes, with one caveat. I would caution you against planting Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) super-late in the season, i.e. after say the 15th of October. It would probably be OK, but Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) seems to be the most finicky of the milkweeds around here. Really they should all be fine, but if your really wanting to hedge your best go with Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) or Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed), they seem to overwinter in the pots the...
Problems With Thistle
Sam --- Nick! Thanks for spending time with me at Green Fair on The Fox about my Thistle issue. Can you refresh my memory about what my treatment options are for this? Natural Communities --- Sam, excellent to see you again!! The weed appears to be Canadian thistle. There are several methods that can be implemented, but one should always consider the approach with the least environmental impacts first. For natural areas I will discuss several ideas from the greenest to the least environmentally friendly. Prevention: Prevention is always ground zero, having a good crop of native plants such as...
Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii (Northern Blazing Star/Savanna Blazing Star) the single best native plant in the Chicago Region for attracting butterflies
Likely the single best native plant in the Chicago Region for attracting butterflies, this plant amazes both with it's beautifully intense purple flowers and it's ability to bring in the butterflies. Learn more and watch a video by clinking here
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