Blog
Learn about native species and ecological landscaping tips from a Minnesota Master Naturalist & Master Gardener.
Salt-Tolerant Native Plants for Tough Spaces
Salt has an essential role in winter safety, but it needs to be used sparingly and smartly to protect plants and freshwater. Where salt pollution is present in gardens, use native plants that are adapted to tolerate salty soil conditions. These tough growers can take a lot of abuse, making them ideal for boulevard gardens and rain gardens receiving road runoff. Use them to create habitat and support pollinators in difficult soil conditions!
Native Matrix Plantings for Monarchs
Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) need our help! Once common across North America, monarch populations have collapsed due to the loss of milkweed and nectar-producing native plants. To preserve monarch populations, we need to add monarch-friendly native plants back into our landscapes. In this post, I’ll highlight three native matrix plantings (all 20’ x 10’) to support monarchs in various sun and soil conditions.
Native Plants to Replace Buckthorn
Managing buckthorn is a multi-year process with many techniques for removal. In this post, I’m focusing on revegetation after buckthorn removal. Recent research has shown that specific native plant species are well-suited for suppressing buckthorn regrowth. These species can outcompete buckthorn in spring and fall, helping revegetate open areas with bare soil. Complementary native plants can also benefit revegetation when planted alongside early establishment species. Check out these native plants for replacing buckthorn!
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.