Judy Terry
| Special to the Press-Citizen
Spring arrived around 10 a.m. on Friday, March 20. After teasing us with the 60-70 degree days we enjoyed early in the month, it treated us to quite a storm to start the week.
We needed that snow. In fact, we could probably use more to catch up on the drought we have been in the last few years.
Aside from some pruning, it is too wet and too early, to work in the garden. But when you can’t plant, you can plan.
Perhaps this is the year to think about more native plants. I admit that sounds a little dull when you know the garden centers will soon be displaying every color of flowers and vegetables, showing us new, irresistible plants.
But history lives and we need to keep our heritage alive. Native plants are species that have been grown in the same region for possibly thousands of years. They are well adapted to our soil and climate, resist diseases and pests, do not need fertilizer, and tolerate hot, dry, summer weather and the wet ones. During heat or drought, they do not fade away as some of our much younger plants do.
When we think of native plants, we might suspect they are skimpy on flowers and look more like weeds than healthy plants.
Not so.
Many native plants are thick with flowers. Black-eyed Susans and coneflowers bloom profusely in full sun, while a blue flag iris and the red wood lily need at least part shade. Butterfly weed likes the sun and Monarch butterflies thrive on this plant.
The deep roots add stability to the flower stems, provide erosion control, and most importantly, shelter plus food for birds, bees, and butterflies. The loss of these pollinators has become a serious problem in recent years. I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over and is why we need to give up some of our lawns and plant for posterity.
If you are going to dedicate an area to native plants but are not sure what to buy, there are catalogs featuring the best native plants for landscaping, and, of course, Google has it all.
Coneflowers and black-eyed Susans are a good start, plus wild Bergamont, which comes in lavender, pink, and white, tastes minty, and attracts all those pollinators. Little bluestem grass is an ornamental and is great for large gardens. It turns red in the fall and is golden in the winter.
Native trees are important in the plan, too. The northern red oak is one of the best Iowa shade trees. The sugar maple has wonderful summer shade and spectacular fall foliage. For early spring color, the eastern redbud can’t be beat.
Native plants are eco-friendly, thrive in Iowa, support wildlife, and make beautiful additions to your landscape.
Judy Terry is a garden columnist for the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
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