This plot was neglected for years before I bought the house and I finally had the funds to hire someone to clear it out completely. I did ask them save some of the goldenrod that was there, hopefully it's able to survive the transplant! It's looking a little sad right now but seems to be holding on to life so far.
A neighbor walking his dog this morning commented on the work. Glad to no longer be the eyesore of the neighborhood 😆
I cleared my schedule for a garden center trip this weekend and am really looking forward to filling the space. It's a part shade location with morning sun so I'm thinking native hydrangeas, aster, and susans. If there's anything else that would be good fit, I'm all ears! I'm still pretty new to natives. I'm in 6a / Northern Illinois
by Calm-Egg1804
4 Comments
Don’t be like me and take 2 years to even realize native grasses were a thing. Don’t know your specific zone and your sites conditions but grasses little bluestem or prairie dropseed can be great. Sedges too! Suggest doing a lot of low growers and grasses in front to keep the perennial flowers in check. You have goldenrod for fall, think of a spring bloom and a summer bloom, or a couple if you can. Golden Alexander / Zizia aurea and rose milkweed / asclepias incarnata are great. So is Monarda. But in groups of 3-5, fewer types of plants but more of each kind. Good luck!
Wow that’s quite the difference! It’ll be great in a few years when everything fills in.
Shorts aster and white wood aster, blue stem and zigzag goldenrod for fall. Columbine and wild geranium for spring. Foxglove beardtongue and golden Alexander for between spring and summer blooming plants. Blue mistflower (mine bloomed kind of at the end-ish of summer).
I’m not sure if any of these are native to you but they all seem to be ok in my shadier spots.
It’s going to be incredible! Can’t wait to see the after! I have included a link for a [plan PDF](https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/pollinatorresources/documents/usda-pollinator-gardens-design-guide.pdf) from the state of Illinois that I also worked off of for our recent garden – they have different plants for different areas and maybe you can find some ideas in here!
Feel free to send me over a picture of this space and measurements. I’m starting my own garden design business and would love some more practice with real life spots in a variety of locations!