Blog
Learn about native species and ecological landscaping tips from a Minnesota Master Naturalist.
How to Design a Native Matrix Planting
Matrix plantings make fantastic bases for experimentation. The shapes of the landscape change over time and according to the seasons, creating continuous visual interest. They can be easily edited and the density of groundcover plants helps suppress weed growth. In this post, I’ll focus on how to design native matrix plantings for smaller gardens and landscapes.
Planting for Rusty-Patched Bumble Bees
The rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) once buzzed across half of North America, ranging from the Atlantic seaboard to the Dakotas. But habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases have decimated rusty-patched bumble bee populations. Restoring rusty-patched bumble bee populations is a task requiring many partners. But it’s easy to take important action on an individual level too. People living in regions with remaining rusty-patched bumble bee populations can add native plants that offer essential nutrition for rusty-patched bumble bees.
Bee Lawns and Native Landscaping
Bee lawns serve human functions first and foremost, so they have lower ecological value than a naturalistic landscape of native plants. Native bees are best served by a ground layer with varied height, diverse flowering plants, and patches of bare soil for burrowing. Bee lawns aren’t bad or unimportant. But bee lawns should be reserved for recreation areas and function best when planted alongside native, naturalistic landscaping.