Natural Communities - Native Plant Knowhow Q&A Blog RSS
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
Green Fair On The Fox
We hope you join us at the Green Fair On The Fox this Saturday in Batavia. An excellent opportunity for the kids and and adults alike to get out into the sun and lean from and support our local green community. Natural Communities will be selling native plants and milkweeds at the event and talking to folks about their designs and visions for their yard. We would love to help you create your backyard oasis so come by and chat for a bit.Green Fair on the Fox will take place on Saturday, August 13, 2016 from 10am to 4pm at...
Milkweeds & Monarchs
With the dramatic decline of the Monarch Butterfly, milkweeds and pollinator favorites are the name of the game in today’s native landscaping. Why? Milkweeds provide the exclusive food to the Monarch's caterpillar. Consider planting a milkweed and season long bloom times to aid in their recovery. Also because we have lost so many milkweeds in the last 20 years to genetically modified crops being sprayed over and over again with glyphosate. When we lose the host plant we lose the species. Monarchs migrate up to 3,100 miles each season to Mexico to over winter. Is that correct? YES!! It takes Monarchs...
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