Native plants were already growing here when Europeans arrived and started recording what they found as they settled the country. Most of the plants listed here were naturally found in prairies and are now widely promoted as native plants for landscaping and gardens. A seperate Prairie page discusses possible local paririe locations and existing prairies around Indiana including a couple Indiana Cemetery Nature Preserves. Many woodland plants are considered ephemerals meaning they grow early in spring then die back in summer heat.
Native plants are a great addition to any lawn! Since they are acclimated to the climate, they require less maintenance. They can also help to improve water quality in your area. Plant Native! 🪻🌾
Native plants are a great addition to any lawn! Since they are acclimated to the climate, they require less maintenance. They can also help to improve water quality in your area. Plant Native!
Native Keystone Plants for Wildlife - Doug Tallamy August 13, 2021 National Wildlife on YouTube. Keystone plants are natives that are essential to our ecosystems because they support 90% of the caterpillar species that enable our terrestrial birds to reproduce, as well as all of our specialist native bee species. Join Garden for Wildlife™ collaborator, Entomologist Doug Tallamy, as he shares the importance of keystone plants and how they support healthy wildlife communities
Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware is a nonprofit botanic garden that highlights the beauty and value of native plants to inspire conservation.
About: Indiana Native Seed Communities, a project of Indiana Native Plant Society, is a Public Group devoted to the discussion of procuring, processing and propagating seeds of plants native to Indiana.
Native Seed Communities promotes networks of native plant enthusiasts working together to regionally procure, prepare, and propagate native plant seeds to increase the presence of ecologically appropriate native plants in all landscapes.
People from all walks of life and at different stages in their understanding of native plants and how to propagate them from seed are welcome to participate.
Can you recognize Indiana's most common native plants? Thanks to family walks and "Wake Up, Woods," our team member Kristen and her kids can. You can find this Hoosier book at your local bookstore or read our review: https://bit.ly/38YbTPu
Can you recognize Indiana's most common native plants? Thanks to family walks and "Wake Up, Woods," our team member Kristen and her kids can. You can find this Hoosier book at your local bookstore or read our review: Wake Up, Woods Book Review
"Wake Up, Woods" is a beautiful children's picture book about native spring plants of the woodlands of Indiana....
"Wake Up, Woods" is a beautiful children's picture book about native spring plants of the woodlands of Indiana.
Written by Michael Homoya, botanist and ecologist; Shane Gibson, poet; and Gillian Harris, Illustrator - this book will show kids and adults alike what to look for when walking thru the woods, parks, or even our yards.
Saturdays hike is all about what's waking up in our woods as we hike along our trails, looking for all the spring plants talked about in the book. (You may not find them all, but you will definitely find a bunch!)
Butterfly garden at Geist Christian Church, 12756 Promise Road, Fishers, Indiana.
The tall "sunflower" in the back is cup-plant (Silphium perfoliatum). The milkweed is swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). Lilac flowers are "beebalm" Monarda didyma. Pink flowers are Phlox paniculata aka garden phlox.
Many Americans fear that unruly yards bring in pests and lower home values. An unruly yard is also seen as lazy...
Many Americans fear that unruly yards bring in pests and lower home values. An unruly yard is also seen as lazy homeownership and as disrespect to those who invest time and money to be good citizens. If you can show that you too, care about your neighborhood, but do so in a different way, you can have a more respectful conversation. Mitigate the unruliness of your natural landscape by demonstrating it is intentional; Create clean lines and paths to show you do your 'maintenance'; Use signage and talk about your intentions. All around the country home owners associations and municipalities are adjusting their rules. Not because they are attacked for their conventional practices, but because most people do love birds and butterflies. www.healthyyards.org
Native plants and early Indiana botanical explorations posted March 22, 2014 on Archives of Hoosier History Live podcast on Saturdays, noon to 1 p.m. ET on WICR 88.7 FM. With, at long last, the arrival of spring - at least in terms of the calendar, if not the current weather - Hoosier History Live! will focus on our state's botanical heritage. And a special co-host will guide us during our look at native plants and early botanical explorations. ... So Jo Ellen [Meyers Sharp] and Michael [Homoya] will be ideal for this show, during which we will dig deep into botanical explorations across Indiana. The first known one occurred in 1795 by French explorer Andre Michaux. Some of Michaux's collections from the Indiana wilderness still exist in the national herbarium in Paris, according to Michael, who has personally seen them. Our first state forester, Charlie Deam (1865-1953), grew up on a family farm in Wells County and went on to chronicle native plants across the state, including specific locations in counties and townships. Known as the "father of Indiana botany," he collected more than 73,000 plant specimens from across Indiana, according to Michael Homoya. (His collection is now housed at the herbarium at Indiana University.)
The Naturalist's Library by Jardine, William, Sir, 1800-1874 40 volumes at the University of California Libraries, also on Archive.org shows lots of early wildlife in the 19th century, such as our common ruby-throated hummingbird, the Ruby-crested Hummingbird on page 147 in the The Naturalist's Library Ornithology Humming Birds, Part I, Vol. VI. printed in London, probably in the 1860s. Unfortunately the first 25 pages are missing.
The plant world is bursting with variations in color and form underpinned by genetic diversity. Our world would not be...
The plant world is bursting with variations in color and form underpinned by genetic diversity. Our world would not be as rich and inspiring if each organism was exactly like others of its kind. Growing plants from seed embraces the fact that there will be variation and difference in what emerges. These Canada lilies (Lilium canadense) are an excellent example of variation in flower color, in the degree and abundance of spots found on the petals. This is why Native Plant Trust strives to grow and offer for sale native plants grown from seeds that were sourced locally, an approach that welcomes plants that do not all look the same and embraces the inherent genetic diversity found within those seeds. When that genetic potential is expressed by the plants themselves, the results are simply marvelous. —Director of Horticulture Uli Lorimer
Is your community making it difficult for you to show your love for native plants at home and make a positive impact where you live?
Join us for our third webinar in our Native Plants series, "Beyond Lawns: How to Advocate for Native Plants in Local Ordinances and HOA Rules" on May 29th at 7pm. You'll learn how to effectively advocate for changes to outdated local ordinances and your Homeowner Association/HOA rules to reduce restrictions and promote the use of native plants.
Landscaping with Native Plants, Cost Savings & More to Dig! April 1, 2024 hecweb1 on YouTube
Have you heard the buzz about native plants lately? Whether in home gardens, city parks, your neighbor's yard, or maybe even in your HOA, native plants are making their way into a number of landscapes. Are you wondering what the big deal is?
Check out our webinar, Landscaping with Native Plants, Cost Savings and More to Dig!, recorded on March 21. Featured presenters include Liz Masur, native plant enthusiast and newly elected member of the City of Lawrence Common Council, and HEC's Jeni Jenkins, who has years of experience of landscaping with native plants. Learn why native plants are such a hot topic, and how replacing even a little bit of turf grass with native plants can make a big difference in your pocketbook, your health, and your community! Whether you are an individual, a community representative, or a member of your neighborhood HOA, learn why even non-gardeners can join in on the native plant movement.
To cap off National Pollinator Week, here are a few tips to create a Pollinator Paradise in your own backyard!
Did you know that native plants are a lifeline for local pollinators?
In the Midwest, species like Purple Coneflower, Butterfly Milkweed, Wild Bergamot, and Sweet Joe-Pye-weed (pictured) are essential. These plants offer nectar and pollen and provide habitats for our beloved pollinators.
Start by planting various flowers that bloom at different times of the year to support biodiversity and the crucial roles these plants play in our ecosystem.
Incorporate native plants, avoid pesticides, and provide water sources like a shallow dish with stones. Even small changes can make a big difference. By planting native species in our gardens and parks, we enhance the natural beauty of our community and transform our gardens into thriving ecosystems for bees, butterflies, and more!
I often hear people defend invasive plants by saying “But it’s medicinal!”
And yes, that’s the reason some invasive species were brought to North America in the first place.
But because they evolved in different parts of the world, they don’t fit into the natural checks and balances of our native ecosystems and they’re able to overtake large areas.
If you’re someone who uses invasive species medicinally, I have good news.
If a species is invasive to your area, you don’t need to intentionally plant it in your yard. It’s already growing all around you. And you’re actually doing a favor to the environment by harvesting as much of it as you can.
And if you have a garden where you grow medicinal plants, you can use that space to grow ones that are native to where you live.
Now you have a wider range of plants to work with AND it’s eco-friendly.
Here are a few of the many medicinal plant species that are native to North America.
Plant medicine is sacred to many cultures. You don’t have to use plant medicine, but please be respectful of it.
Some of these plants have research in western literature backing up the benefits, others do not. They’ve all been traditionally used for these benefits. Do with that information what you will.
The listed benefits and species are not exhaustive. Research what part(s) of each plant are used and how to prepare them properly before consuming anything.
*Consult your doctor before consuming any new herbs or supplements, research drug interactions and side effects, and never consume a plant if you’re not 100% sure you’ve identified it correctly, none of this is medical advice*
Native Plant of the Week: Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
Every garden should have false blue indigo (Baptisia australis), but lucky you if you find them in the wild in Indiana. They are extremely rare in Indiana, primarily along the Ohio River. (See map.)
They bloom best and do not need staked if planted in full sun, although they will tolerate some shade. In May and June, the 10- 12” flower stalks shoot up and are covered with blue pea-like flowers. The blooms are primarily pollinated by bumblebees seeking nectar.
It grows 3 to 4 feet tall with similar spread, resembling a small shrub. The foliage is an attractive blue-green all summer and is a host plant for several moths, skippers and butterflies.
Mid-summer, the seed pods start to form and create natural rattles that charm children and add a distinctive look to fall bouquets. Then is the time to harvest the seeds. The foliage looks good all summer even though seeds are formed.
Blue false indigo is slow to mature, at least to our eyes. The first few years, all its work is being done underground as it sends down a deep taproot (seven feet or more). This taproot will break up compacted soil, so it is a good plant to remediate your soil after construction. When you plant the seedling, be sure it's where you want to leave it as it is hard to transplant with the tap root.
There is a dwarf false blue indigo, Baptisia australis minor or sometimes Baptisia minor, but it does not occur in Indiana. Its native home is to the west of us.
During springtime (well, really just about any time) in Wabash County, it’s like God just took a paintbrush and put a dap of color here and another there, all over the county. You may have seen this flower along the roadsides in Wabash County. It is called YELLOW GOAT’S BEARD also called Meadow Salsify, Star of Jerusalem or Noon Flower (the bloom closes up at noon). It is a member of the Aster family with the flower looking much like a daisy. The plant, besides being pretty, is said to have medicinal qualities especially to treat liver and gall bladder issues. A syrup made from the dry roots was used to treat coughs and bronchitis. Other claim that the leaves and shoots are good served in salads and soups (best in spring). The stems have been cooked like asparagus. The plant grows to 1-3 feet tall and attracts bees and other insects. Some consider it suitable for wildflower or pollinator gardens.
Comments:
The plant is commonly called BUTTERWEED or Cressleaf groundsel (packera labella) a member of the astor or daisy family. It is a native plant to Indiana but has become very invasive. In spring butterweed shoots up with a tall hollow stem topped with attractive, bright yellow flowers. Unfortunately, those flowers produce seeds that will spread with the wind. They spread so quickly that they are now showing up in flower gardens all over Wabash County. Not only do they spread quickly but they are toxic to cattle and horses. Deer, long ago, learned to ignore the plant. It is nice to enjoy the flowers but they should be cut down before they go to seed.
Also includes photos and description of LAMIUM also called PURPLE DEAD NETTLES and Chaemomeles better known to most of us as FLOWERING QUINCE.
Carnivorous Plants
They are still found in what little habitat remains in Allen County. A work in progress page with more information will appear eventually.
As we continue celebrating Ohio Native Plant Month, we turn to one of the most fascinating plants found in Ohio—the...
As we continue celebrating Ohio Native Plant Month, we turn to one of the most fascinating plants found in Ohio—the carnivorous northern pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea). This highly evolved plant has found a unique way to thrive in bogs, which can be tough habitats (think low nutrients) for some species. More on that later.
The northern pitcher plant has pitcher-like modified leaves which can range in color from green to red with some lovely color and pattern variations. Its flowers appear in late spring or early summer with scarlet red petals and an umbrella-structure made of the sepals. Native pitcher plants may be found growing in the small number of specialized bogs and peatlands remaining in northeastern Ohio. Unfortunately, poaching and habitat loss has led to the decline of these distinctive plants; the northern pitcher plant is listed as threatened in Ohio.
Back to the pitcher plant’s carnivorous nature. Once the pitcher-like leaves collect with rainwater, insets unwittingly fall in and drown, creating a kind of “bug soup.” The hood of the pitcher has stiff downward pointing hairs preventing any trapped insects from climbing out.
Younger pitcher plants are known to produce some digestive enzymes to breakdown the insects, but in actuality, most of the work is done by larvae from mosquitoes and other insects living in the water-filled pitchers. Their waste settles to the bottom of the pitchers and the plant absorbs the remaining nutrients. It’s always fun to look inside the pitchers to see what’s on the menu for their next meals.
Check back tomorrow for another wildflower species profile. Throughout April, we will be introducing you to many of our favorite spring, summer, and even fall wildflowers as we continue our celebration of Ohio’s Native Plant Month!
Columbine - Aquilegia canadensis
Flora of Indiana on page 458 states: 2538. AQUILEGIA [Tourn.] L. 1. Aquilegia canadensis L. American Columbine. Map 941. Local throughout the state on the wooded bluffs of streams, wooded slopes and banks of streams, banks and slopes of deep ravines, and rarely far removed from stream courses. I have twice found it in open tamarack bogs where it was associated with Rhus Vernix and Rhamnus alnifolia. I have also frequently found it growing in the rocky crevices of cliffs along streams. I suspected this wide difference of habitat would show some difference in the structure of the plants but I find none. The plant when taken from the wild and planted in the garden thrives and reproduces freely from seed, which fact is not entirely consistent with its restricted distribution along streams. N. S. to Alberta, southw. to Fla. and Tex.
Native Plant of the Week: Compass Plant (Silphinum laciniatum)
This large yellow perennial prairie wildflower in the Aster family is found mostly in the northwestern part of the state plus several counties in the south. Compass Plant is easy to spot in the prairie because of its large yellow flowers located all along the upper portion of the thick center stem, which can grow up to 12 ft. tall. Compass Plant gets its name from its large pinnatifid leaves that curiously seem to point in the North/South direction, especially when the plant is immature. Compass Plant can be found in prairies, railroad right of ways and similar habitats where it gets full sunlight. Compass Plant occurs with Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) and Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium) but can be readily distinguished from these two related species by its deeply lobed leaves. No tall grass prairie restoration would be complete without Compass Plant, and it would make a wonderful addition to a sunny naturalized garden.
Eastern Prickly-Pear - Opuntia humifusa
Unknown if cactus was native to Allen County, but has been seen growing in Northwest Indiana counties. Will grow in proper conditions in a garden setting.
Have you ever considered that cactuses also need pollinating? Eastern Prickly-Pear (Opuntia humifusa) is the only native...
Have you ever considered that cactuses also need pollinating? Eastern Prickly-Pear (Opuntia humifusa) is the only native cactus that grows in eastern North America, thriving in rocky or well-drained soil in sunny locations. It blooms bright yellow flowers this time of year that attracts many native bees and other pollinators. Once pollinated, it bears small edible fruit that can be used for desserts, jams, and has even been used in beer! Charlene Thomforde
Ferns
Christmas Fern - Polystichum acrostichoides
Native Plant of the Week: Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) “Christmas ferns, like all ferns have no flowers...
Native Plant of the Week: Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
“Christmas ferns, like all ferns have no flowers or seeds. They produce spores instead. While spores are not seeds, they have a similar purpose and are most commonly found on the undersurface of the fern leaf. A germinating spore will grow into a tiny, usually flat and green plant called a gametophyte. It is here where reproductive cells bond together and grow into a new spore-producing fern. In spring, each fern stalk emerges as a curled up “fiddlehead” that slowly unrolls and expands to its full leafy form. Christmas fern’s evergreen leaves were once popular for decorating during the Christmas season, thus the common name. “ Description by Michael Homoya in Wake Up, Woods, used with permission by the Indiana Native Plant Society
In the bleak mid-winter, a woodland hike can bring surprises of green, especially if the soil is mesic to slightly dry with lots of leaf litter. I remember my delight when I first saw the Christmas fern in such a woods. It is 18 to 30 inches tall with compound leaves up to two feet long and five inches across. Each compound leaf has 20 to 40 glossy leaflets. Fertile fronds are longer and the top third becomes noticeably narrower.
Its wildlife value is fairly limited but does provide important habitat for ground feeding and nesting species as the plants and plant detritus form a dense mass of leaves over the soil surface. This also aids in erosion control. Since it is often found on steep slopes, erosion control is a crucial benefit of this plant.
Using Christmas ferns adds winter interest in a cultivated shade garden with its glossy evergreen leaves and neat habit. Avoid planting it in poorly drained soils as it could potentially have crown rot problems. It is rhizomatous and can be split to propagate, but it does not take over the beds as many other ferns will. Instead the clump increases in size over time.
So celebrate Christmas with this native fern and by giving a totally delightful children’s book with lovely detailed drawings by Gillian Harris, charming verses by Shane Gibson plus botanical descriptions by Michael Homoya!
Yesterday’s image was of a Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) frond all rolled up into a little ball by fern...
Yesterday’s image was of a Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) frond all rolled up into a little ball by fern leaftier (Herpetogramma spingealis) caterpillars. This species specializes on Christmas fern as their host plant for food and habitat. The caterpillars create these fern balls using silk and they provide both shelter and food for the larvae. As they grow, the larvae abandon existing shelters and construct larger ones, usually on the same plant. The larvae pupate inside and emerge in 7-12 days as adult moths. If you notice these fascinating structures on your ferns, know that your native plants are supporting wildlife! The fern balls don’t cause lasting damage to the plants, so no management action is needed.
Gray-headed coneflower - Ratibida pinnata
There were some growing wild in the late 1990s near Northcrest Shopping Center before the area was paved over and developed into housing. Butterfly weed and a few other native prairie plants were still growing in a small one acre prairie remnant.
Wildflower Wednesday - Grey-headed coneflower Welcome back to Wildflower Wednesday! This week’s featured bloomer is...
Welcome back to Wildflower Wednesday! This week’s featured bloomer is gray-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata). It’s one of our more common native prairie wildflowers and it’s a stunning pop of yellow in any setting.
Gray-headed coneflower grows in open, sunny, dry-mesic habitats such as tall grass prairies, barrens, meadows, and roadsides. Here in Ohio, it’s commonly found in our former prairie regions in the western half of the state and is often used in prairie plantings and restorations as well.
It’s an easily identified prairie bloomer for its pinnately divided leaves and large flowers with drooping yellow “petals,” which are actually ray flowers. Gray-headed coneflower has a long bloom period lasting through the latter half of summer. The bright yellow blooms attract a diversity of flying insects; in autumn, the seedheads attract goldfinches.
Hydrangea arborescens
Did you know that our region is home to the native wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)? This resilient plant thrives...
Did you know that our region is home to the native wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)? This resilient plant thrives in our woodlands and stream banks, showcasing beautiful white to light green blooms throughout the summer. Not only do these hydrangeas add a touch of elegance to our natural landscapes, but they also support local wildlife by providing nectar for pollinators.
Next time you're out exploring the natural beauty of our area, keep an eye out for these lovely native plants!
Wild hydrangea at Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run by Jenna Bair
Joe-pye-weeds (Eutrochium spp.)
JPW is a champion in my pollinator garden. I counted 27 swallowtails (not all included in this photo) on 1 plant this afternoon. #pollinatorgardening #swallowtails #whyjoepyeweed
Joe-pye-weeds (Eutrochium spp.) are magnets for the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, our state insect. Hollow Joe-pye-weed is our VNPS 2023 Wildflower of the Year and is found throughout our Commonwealth. Look for the blooms of this tall member of the Aster family blooming now.
Native Plant of the Week: Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Little bluestem is one of the most widely distributed grasses in North America. This warm season finely textured grass hovers around two feet tall and then sends up slender stems in late summer reaching 3 to 4 feet. It forms dense clumps up to a foot in diameter with a deep (up to 5 feet) and fibrous root system.
Little bluestem gets its name from the bluish color of the stem bases in spring, but it is most striking in fall with its red, copper, mahogany, bronze and orange foliage. The color lasts through most of the winter while its stems remain attractively upright, providing shape, texture and color to your winter garden.
Little bluestem needs full sun and dry to mesic soil. It prefers sand or loam soil but grows just fine in clay soil if it is not saturated. It is deer resistant and salt tolerant.
It is a host plant to many skippers and a few butterflies. In winter, its seeds are of value to small birds.
In the home garden and landscape, you can use it as an accent plant or interplant among the prairie plants, but it is particularly attractive planted in masses. It reseeds easily so may not be suitable for small gardens. It is a perfect plant for an eroded site, the dry banks of stormwater basins or for areas you do not want to mow. Let it reseed there! During a tour of Promenade Park before this Society’s annual conference in Fort Wayne, we saw a mass planting of little bluestem along the high edges of a bioswale, complemented by sedges in the wetter bottom soil. This is a great application since it is so striking planted in masses.
There are many cultivars of this native plant for sale and gardeners may even be tempted to selectively breed a straight species that happens to be more blue in the summer and redder in the fall. But such cultivars are only for our pleasure, may diminish the wildlife value of the plant, and could reduce the plant’s natural diversity. So do not be lured into such things as “an improvement over the species…the foliage color is a brighter steel blue color with purple highlights, looking almost iridescent up close…glossy purple panicles…The fall color is a mix of purple, blue, red, pink, burgundy, and orange pigments.” This species does not need these improvements to perform well in a garden or landscape! (Author’s opinion)
Another sweet video from Jason Whalen & Big Foot Media taken at our Kitty Todd Preserve. A hummingbird visiting Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) in bloom. #NatureNearYou #GetOutside http://bit.ly/12KRcOu
Glimpsing a hummingbird is a treat for the eye! These tiny creatures travel an impressive distance to overwinter in Mexico and Central America, but they're here in the Northeast for the spring and summer. Join Hank Davis here at Mt. Cuba Center on Thursday, August 10 for Hummingbirds: Dynamic Aviators to learn about their life cycle, migration and the plants that attract them to your garden. Then, after the talk, wander the garden in search of ruby-throated hummingbirds during their evening feeding. Register here: https://education.mtcubacenter.org/wconnect/CourseStatus.awp?&course=173CON133
Glimpsing a hummingbird is a treat for the eye! These tiny creatures travel an impressive distance to overwinter in Mexico and Central America, but they're here in the Northeast for the spring and summer.
How to Grow Lobelia species in Gardens and in Meadows Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is named for its vivid red...
How to Grow Lobelia species in Gardens and in Meadows Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is named for its vivid red color, an uncommon trait in wildflowers. The bright red attracts Cardinal Flower's primary pollinator, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Hummingbirds cherish the many blooms and often visit the blooming plant multiple times a day. Spicebush, Black, and Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies also collect nectar of Cardinal Flower. It commonly reaches 1.5 to 3ft at maturity and prefers some shade but can tolerate full sun as long as the soil is moist enough. The more you water Cardinal flower in the early summer; the taller and more prolific it gets.
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), also called Blue Cardinal Flower, grows in similar conditions to Cardinal Flower but is generally more tolerant of average, less moist soils. It can reach 1-3ft tall and often lives on floodplains, along rivers or creeks, in ditches or depressions, or in swamps and wetlands. We've observed that the threatened American Bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus) favors Great Blue Lobelia over many other flowers. Since they both bloom in late summer, mixing Cardinal Flower and Great Blue Lobelia gives a stellar color combination in garden settings or native meadow landscapes.
Did you know that marshmallows got their name because they once included marsh mallow root? Marsh mallow, also known as althaea officinalis, is a plant commonly used for medicinal purposes, such as treating a sore throat or a stomach ulcer.
Inspired by this fun food history, HSP staff used some of the fluffy confections to create the ultimate summer treat – s’mores. These graham cracker sandwiches are stuffed with marshmallows, chocolate bars, and peanut butter cups. Although they may not have medical healing powers, these s’mores will still cure your warm weather blues.
Read more about the history of marshmallows and other sweets in “Sugar-Plum and Sherbet: The Prehistory of Sweets.”
Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Another week, another Wildflower Wednesday! Today, we’re featuring an easy-to-identify wildflower, swamp milkweed...
Today, we’re featuring an easy-to-identify wildflower, swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). It’s one of Ohio’s 13 native milkweeds and easily one of our most frequently encountered species. Most importantly, it’s the host plant for monarch butterflies.
Swamp milkweed blooms throughout the summer months from late June on into August. It’s easily distinguished from other milkweeds by its taller height, long narrow leaves, and numerous umbels of much smaller, bright pink flowers. As its common name suggests, swamp milkweed is associated with various wetlands such as swamps, marshes, fens, wet meadows and fields, and shorelines.
You can find swamp milkweed throughout the Buckeye state; it likely occurs in all 88 counties. It is easily grown at home in rain gardens and areas with moist soil. It’s a major pollinator attractor, too! And not just monarchs but a wide array of butterflies, bees, beetles, and other insects.
Penstemon
In the 1990s was still commonly seen growing along roads often in ditches inside the city limits before power mowers mowed everything into manicured lawns everywhere.
Native Plant of the Week: Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) This attractive white, perennial wildflower, also...
Native Plant of the Week: Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
This attractive white, perennial wildflower, also known as Foxglove Penstemon and several other common names, in the Plantain family can be found around the entire state. Foxglove Beardtongue starts as a group of rounded leaves, and the leaves are opposite and more lance-shaped on the stem that subsequently develops. Foxglove Beardtongue has a panicle of white, two-lipped, tubular flowers in late spring/early summer. The flowers have five stamen (4 fertile, 1 sterile), hence the name “Penstemon,” which means five stamen. Bees adore the tubular flowers and can be found stuffed inside of them, collecting pollen and nectar. After flowering, Foxglove Beardtongue develops a capsule of seeds, and the seeds are easily propagated with a short period of cold, moist stratification. Foxglove Beardtongue is very adaptable and can be found in prairies, old fields, roadsides/right-of-ways, woodland edges and open woods. In addition, it makes a wonderful garden plant besides being a prairie restoration species.
Happy Pollinator Week! So many flowers are blooming at Eagle Marsh, and the pollinators are loving it! Come for a visit...
Happy Pollinator Week! So many flowers are blooming at Eagle Marsh, and the pollinators are loving it! Come for a visit and see the expanse of foxglove beardtongue for yourself, the buzzing can be heard from the Continental Divide trail.
Poison Ivy - Rhus radicans or Toxicodendron radicans
Showy Emerald Moth (Dichorda iridaria). This moth is a larval food specialist on poison ivy and sumac and was at the...
This moth is a larval food specialist on poison ivy and sumac and was at the Indiana Dunes State Park nature center and being pointed out to visitors. One amazed observer asked the question, “what can I do to attract this moth to my yard?”
The answer that they were looking for was probably something along the lines of “plant some zinnias and some peonies,“ but instead, they heard the harsh truth.
Our response, “well, the first thing that I would do is to stop killing all of the poison ivy, because that is its primary food source.“
The group that was standing around seemed almost dumbfounded that something as feared and loathed as poison ivy could be a needed ingredient for the lifecycle of something that they deemed to be beautiful.
I went on to explain that we have removed most of the native vegetation from our suburban landscapes, replaced it with vegetation from Europe and Asia, and now we wonder why we don’t have animals like this around anymore.
This is a message that, despite all of our efforts, is still not reaching the masses.
"Leaves of three, let it be!" Yes, Poison Ivy is out and ready to cause many of you misery :-( Purdue Extension's...
Yes, Poison Ivy is out and ready to cause many of you misery
Purdue Extension's Publication gives tips on identifying the pest, getting rid of it, and how to handle the rash if you encounter it - HO-218-W Poison Ivy Consumer HorticultureConsumer 4-page document with more photos and comparison to similar non-toxic plants.
Pussytoes - Antennaria sp.
Antennaria at Indiana Plant Atlas shows 10 species that may historically be found in Allen County.
Pussytoes (Antennaria sp.) are low, creeping colonizing plants that can be found in a wide range of habitats including fields, roadsides and open woodlands. And lawns that are not treated with herbicides. I carefully mow around the patches of pussytoes in my lawn as they are one of the hostplants for the American lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis). Females lay eggs on the leaves and the larvae feed and grow in "nests" made by pulling leaves together with silk.
Looks like many of you are already familiar with the plant featured in yesterday’s What’s That Wednesday image! We showed a close-up of a button snake-root (Eryngium yuccifolium) flowerhead. This unique, low-maintenance native plant, also known as rattlesnake master, is not only visually striking and unusual with its spiky, yucca-like foliage and globe-shaped flowers, but it is also a pollinator magnet!Native to prairies and open woodlands, button snake-root can adapt to various soil types and conditions, and is drought tolerant. Plant in full sun in well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil and add an interesting (and beneficial) element to your garden. Check this plant out in a formal setting in our South Garden.
Sedges
Let's move away from mulch, and fill gaps in the landscape with plants that provide habitat and hold the soil. Sedges...
Let's move away from mulch, and fill gaps in the landscape with plants that provide habitat and hold the soil. Sedges are ideal for that, they improve the soil structure, prevent erosion and support wildlife. There is a sedge, or more, suitable for any habitat! Versatile Sedges Lady Birds Johnson Wildflower Center The University of Texas at Austin.
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) is a highly desirable lawn alternative due to its turf-like appearance and...
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) is a highly desirable lawn alternative due to its turf-like appearance and habit, as well as its ability to thrive in dry soils and partial shade. It is also notably difficult to propagate from seed—or at least, it used to be! In 2017, Nasami Farm staff began a series of multi-year trials designed to create the first-ever nursery seed production protocols for this species. We found the highest germination rates (68-72%) in seeds that underwent a 12-week warm period prior to being sown. This is called stratification, a propagation process that simulates natural conditions. And among the warm-stratified seeds, seeds that were sown with a light cover of growing medium had better germination rates than seeds sown on the soil surface. This experimental research has meant that since 2021, we have been able to increase our production of C. pensylvanica from 10% seed grown to 100% seed grown, and we now produce, efficiently and sustainably, six times more C. pensylvanica plants annually! These plants are available for purchase through our Garden Shops at Nasami Farm and Garden in the Woods. Do something wonderful for your yard, and for the planet, by switching out some of your turf grass for luscious C. pensylvanica.
A common prairie plant easily grown in Allen County with deep tap roots.
WILD SENNA Senna hebecarpa at the USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center, Beltsville, MD. Ethnobotanical: Several senna species are purgatives or laxatives depending on the dose. The leaves and pods of the wild senna contain compounds called anthraquinones, which are powerful laxatives. For this reason cattle and other herbivores avoid grazing the plants. See Senokot Senna glycoside.
Blooming mid-to-late summer, northern wild senna (Senna hebecarpa) is a sight to see in Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens. These...
Blooming mid-to-late summer, northern wild senna (Senna hebecarpa) is a sight to see in Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens. These perennials can reach heights of 7’ tall, with bright yellow flowers with ¾” petals and dark brown anthers on axillary racemes at their tops. Northern wild senna like moist, well-drained soils and sun, and are primarily pollinated by bumblebees. It has flat, hairy, curved seed pods with nearly square joints, and it does not have any serious diseases or pests. Add this to any garden for attractive summer blooms and beautiful yellow fall colors.
Wild Bergamot - Monarda fistulosa - Bee Balm
Native Plant of the Week: Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Wild Bergamot is a clump-forming, perennial, native prairie...
Native Plant of the Week: Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild Bergamot is a clump-forming, perennial, native prairie wildflower in the Mint Family that grows 2 ½ to 5 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 3 feet. Wild Bergamot, like other mints, has four angled stems. The leaves of Wild Bergamot are opposite and have a scent like the herb oregano. At the tops of the stems, 1 to 3 inch flowerheads develop that have many 1 inch long, irregular, lavender to pink flowers. Blooming starts in mid-summer beginning with the center flowers first and gradually moving to the outside. The blooming period will last a month or more. The deep root system is strongly branched with shallow rhizomes, which send up multiple stems that give the plant a bushy appearance. Its rhizomes are not bothered by transplanting disturbances, and Wild Bergamot does not spread aggressively via rhizomes (although it will reseed and spread that way). Wild Bergamot prefers full to part sun and will thrive in a wide range of soils, including dry, clay, or rocky, with dry to moderate, well-drained moisture conditions. In the wild, Wild Bergamot is found in prairies, savannas, woodland edges, thickets, and pastures. It is not bothered by mammalian herbivores, and has some susceptibility to powdery mildew and rust, but good air circulation can help. Where Wild Bergamot shines is as a pollinator magnet. The nectar of Wild Bergamot attracts bees, butterflies, skippers, moths, and hummingbirds. Some bees collect the pollen also. Wild Bergamot is the host plant for several moth caterpillars.
Wild bergamot and perennial sunflowers, among other things, are out in full force.
This week’s featured bloomer is wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). Also known as beebalm, this summer wildflower is a huge hit with pollinators. It attracts a plethora of bees, butterflies, and even hummingbird moths.
Wild bergamot has large, showy, and circular disk-like flower clusters covered in bright pink corollas. This helps differentiate it from the other Monarda species in Ohio which have red, white, or yellowish flowers. Both the flowerheads and leaves of wild bergamot are delightfully aromatic with a strong mint smell. The oils of this plant and its kin have long been used in herbal healing and remedies.
It's a fairly common summer bloomer that can be found in most Ohio counties. Wild bergamot begins blooming in late June and peaks in early August. Look for it in open and sunny habitats such as prairies, dry fields, meadows, forest margins, and roadsides. It’s also on display at our prairie exhibit at the Ohio State Fair!
Royal Catchfly - Silene regia
Wildflower Wednesday – Royal catchfly This week’s Wildflower Wednesday feature is one of Ohio’s most spectacular summer...
This week’s Wildflower Wednesday feature is one of Ohio’s most spectacular summer flowers—royal catchfly (Silene regia). One of our rarer prairie plants, it is a state-threatened species.
Royal catchfly usually begins blooming by July 4th. It can be found in the former prairie regions of the Darby and Sandusky Plains in central Ohio. When intermixed with the yellows of whorled rosinweed (Silphium trifoliatum), the purples of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), and the greens of maturing grasses, it’s like viewing a work of art. If you’re lucky, you may find a rare, pink-colored flower.
It’s not uncommon to see royal catchfly growing in prairie plantings and wildflower gardens but truly indigenous Ohio populations are genuine scarcities. You can see native stands of this eye-catching scarlet flower at Bigelow Cemetery State Nature Preserve and Milford Center Prairie Natural Area.
Its names comes from the sticky glandular hairs covering the flower’s calyx and upper stems. It’s tacky enough to trap small insects but the plant has no digestive enzymes or insectivorous abilities. It’s been hypothesized this feature is used to prevent smaller, unsuitable insects from raiding the flower of its pollen and nectar. Royal catchfly's primary pollinator is the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Witch Hazel
Popular folk remedy witch hazel is an effective and natural alternative to conventional antibiotics and spells trouble for harmful microbes. Learn more https://go.usa.gov/xuydF
Popular folk remedy witch hazel is an effective and natural alternative to conventional antibiotics and spells trouble for harmful microbes. Learn more Witch Hazel Spells Trouble for Harmful Microbes
Did your grandma swear by witch hazel for skin issues? Turns out, it's not just a folk remedy! A recent study reveals...
Did your grandma swear by witch hazel for skin issues? Turns out, it's not just a folk remedy! A recent study reveals its real benefits for acne and inflammation. Discover more about this natural gem! Witch Hazel, Not Just for Grandma Anymore!
Early settlers also used the leaves to make tea for various medicinal purposes. Today, witch hazel is used in a variety...
Early settlers also used the leaves to make tea for various medicinal purposes. Today, witch hazel is used in a variety of products, including ointments, soaps, and lotions.
The name “witch hazel” also originates from folk history. Natives and early settlers used the witch hazel to find sources of water underground. Witch hazel has been used for hundreds of years for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Indigenous peoples and early settlers used the leaves, buds, twigs, and bark of the plant for a variety of purposes:
Astringent: Witch hazel extract can treat inflamed tissues and irritated skin.
Poultice or tea: Native Americans used witch hazel leaves and bark to reduce inflammation and fever. They also used it to treat sore throats, colds, and tuberculosis, and to bathe sores and skinned areas.
Balm: A balm made from bark extract and ointment can soothe minor burns and sores.
Bitter tea: Witch hazel tea can be used to treat dysentery and internal hemorrhages
As mentioned before, our witch hazel tree lost a limb to an earlier July storm. 🌳🌿 Instead of tossing the branch away,...
As mentioned before, our witch hazel tree lost a limb to an earlier July storm. Instead of tossing the branch away, we decided to make Witch Hazel astringent. The first steps in the recipe require stripping the branch of its buds and leaves and then removing the bark. All of these parts can be used and will be placed in the kettle to brew.
Woodland phlox - Phlox divaricata
With loose clusters of lightly fragrant, lilac, rose, or blue flowers that form atop 12-15” stems each spring, woodland...
With loose clusters of lightly fragrant, lilac, rose, or blue flowers that form atop 12-15” stems each spring, woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) attracts bumblebees and a host of butterflies, especially tiger swallowtails. This herbaceous perennial is among the most reliable and carefree plants; it creates mats over time as leafy shoots spread along the ground, rooting at the nodes. If this is already in your garden, your beds will be ablaze with rich color. Woodland phlox grows best in rich, medium moisture, well drained soil in part to full shade.
Wild blue phlox, also known as woodland phlox, blooms from late spring to early summer in moist deciduous woodlands...
Wild blue phlox, also known as woodland phlox, blooms from late spring to early summer in moist deciduous woodlands across much of the country. Butterflies are the most effective pollinators for this plant!
courtesy of Gordon Garcia
Phlox paniculata
Generally cultivars, cultivated varieties, are not preferred among native plant purists. Phlox tends to be short lived perennials so reseeding is needed to maintain the species and it is unknown what plants will result from cultivar seedlings.
Jeana garden phlox: the butterfly magnet! A true butterfly magnet!
Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)
May 15, 2024 photo shows massive Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) plantings on the north side of Maysville Road looking towards the Meijer entrance. See the Maysville Road Plantings page.
Native Plant of the Week: Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) In May and June as you hike in moist or wet areas in full to...
Native Plant of the Week: Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)
In May and June as you hike in moist or wet areas in full to part sun, look for Golden Alexander’s cheerful yellow blooms covered in pollinators and small butterflies. This is another plant that you can use in your garden, such as a rain garden or moist woodland edge. It is especially attractive when planted in masses. It is excellent for a butterfly or pollinator garden as its 2-3 inch, compound umbels (flat-topped clusters) provide accessible nectar to insects with short mouthparts early in the year when flowers of this shape are not common. It is the native host plant for the Black Swallowtail that herb gardeners find on dill and fennel later in the summer.
Golden Alexanders are 18 to 36 inches tall. Leaves are toothed compound biternate (with two orders of leaflets, each with leaflets of three). These attractive leaves stay lush during the growing season and turn purple in the fall along with the dry seedheads.
Golden Alexanders are a short-lived perennial but will self-seed. It is native to most counties in Indiana.
Party on Zizia! Holly Frainer, our Project Wingspan Plant Technician, took this fantastic photo of black swallowtail...
Party on Zizia! Holly Frainer, our Project Wingspan Plant Technician, took this fantastic photo of black swallowtail caterpillars feeding on her Zizia plants.
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Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) is an important host plant for black swallowtails and provides caterpillars with a nutritious food source, shelter from the rain, and protection from predators. The flowers are also an excellent nectar source for adult butterflies. Sometimes, while it might seem like the holes on the leaves of your native plants are from pests, it might actually be the work of hungry caterpillars that grow into important pollinators!
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Photo: black swallowtail caterpillars on Zizia, by Holly Frainer
Caught this Black Swallowtail caterpillar monching away on a Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), one of their host plants that is actually a native perennial - meaning it will automatically come back next year bigger than before. Which is good because letting my parsley get all spent and bolty only to turn around and do it again next spring is not gonna be sustainable for my brain. 🤣
Caught this Black Swallowtail caterpillar monching away on a Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), one of their host plants that is actually a native perennial - meaning it will automatically come back next year bigger than before.
Which is good because letting my parsley get all spent and bolty only to turn around and do it again next spring is not gonna be sustainable for my brain. 🤣
Wildflower Wednesday! Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) is an adorable spring bloomer, sporting yellow umbel flowers from...
Wildflower Wednesday! Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) is an adorable spring bloomer, sporting yellow umbel flowers from April through June. It prefers full to partial sun, but can also tolerate some shade. It also tolerates a range of soil conditions from medium-wet to medium-dry soils and can reach up to 3 feet in height. Golden Alexanders is one of those natives that every garden should have. It is easy to grow, and requires little maintenance. The flowers are attractive to many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, wasps, beetles, and flies, which are attracted to its nectar and pollen. After blooming, the plant produces dry seedheads that songbirds enjoy. Golden Alexanders is also a host plant for Black Swallowtail butterflies. Black swallowtails also relish parsley, dill and other culinary crops in the carrot family. So, if you want to save your herbs and vegetables and enjoy them yourself, grow some Golden Alexanders.
Charlene Thomforde
Wild hydrangea at Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run by Jenna Bair
A true butterfly magnet!
