Michigan native plants evolved with fire as a result of most of the state burning every 5-10 years in resettlement times. Fire returns nutrients to the soil, allows for more solar radiation to reach the ground which quickens spring green up, and can kill non native plants that did not evolved with fire. See this… Read more »
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Planting in a Post Wild World
Just finished reading Thomas Rainer’s and Claudia West’s book, “Planting in a Post-Wild World”. Although it was written for designers and installers, there is plenty of useful information for the do-it-yourselfer. Highly recommended reading for the winter.
Leave the Leaves
Leave leaves in place to provide winter cover for myriad species of insects and small animals. Pictured here, leaves from various parts of my yard either fell here or were placed. Shown, beds of Wild Geranium and Columbine, Golden Alexanders and Blue Flag Iris, and Prairie Dropseed.
First Year Prairie Planting
End of first year prairie planting I am doing on my neighbor’s property, gratis. There are nearly 4 acres back there, this is his back forty, and I get to play with 2k sq ft. Like first year prairie plantings, it looks like a weedy mess due to weed control which is to keep it… Read more »
Heron Preys in Wildlife Pond
Late fall, late afternoon sun as the heron stalks prey in my wildlife pond. Behind the rocks is a boggy area with Brown Fox Sedge and behind are Red Osier Dogwoods, and Switch Grass. Fall has beauty as well, if you move beyond what we are taught by Big Horticulture.
Hollow Stems Provide Overwintering Habitat for Insects
If you leave up your plants in the fall, you leave places for critters to overwinter. Some will do so in the hollow stems of plants. Cut them to the ground and you provide no place for certain species to hang out for the winter.
Buffalo Grass Lawn Gone Dormant
Buffalo grass being a warm season grass on the right has gone dormant for the winter compared to the traditional lawn on the right. In the spring I will burn the buffalo grass to give it a jump start.
Leave the Leaves
Leave the leaves. These beds of mine have filled with fallen leaves from surrounding trees. This provides cover for wildlife during the winter and improves soil.
Little Bluestem Along Walkway
Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, lining a client’s front walkway. This grass’ ornamental value is best in the fall.
Witch Hazel Blooming in November
Witch Hazel, Hamemalis virginiana, is the very last thing to flower to my knowledge, often flowering well into November. Great shrub, small tree for sun to shade.
