Do you have a rough (or maybe quite organized) plan for your garden? From the start of our time at this property, I've aimed for an informal three-section plan for this garden:
- Near/around the house: annuals, perennials, potted plants, and vegetables;
- Middle section: cultivated perennials, both native and non-native; and
- Back woodland: native trees and plants.
Most of the perennials in the middle and back sections were here when we moved in. Over time, I've tried to incorporate more native plants in all three sections. And while it's nowhere near a devoted native plant garden, it has moved in that direction. In recent years, I've rarely added non-native perennials, with the exception of Alliums (because the rabbits won't eat them) and a few other plants that don't spread much, including Hellebores, a few foundation plants, and some potted plants.
In addition, I've added a few favorites that are nearly native to my area, including:
Woodland Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica), which is native starting just south of here, from Illinois south to Texas and Florida. It's hardy in USDA zones 5-9. A colorful shade plant (which is rare), it offers midsummer dramatic blooms, and it forms a pleasant ground cover. I cage these plants in a few locations, because the rabbits sometimes eat them.
Climbing Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera) has a similar range. While it's native in the state, its original range started just south of my area, extending further east and northeast, as well as south. It's hardy in USDA zones 5-8. This one is an old-fashioned beauty that climbs up and down the arbor. Though the scent is subtle, it's pleasant, and the blooms last for several weeks in midsummer.
Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) also is native from Illinois south through Florida, and areas east and slightly west. It's hardy in USDA zones 5-9. I could study its incredibly unique blooms for hours. I didn't even realize I could overwinter it here until a few years ago. I keep one potted in the sunroom all winter and outdoors on the front porch in the summer. The other plants--which are outdoors all winter--go dormant, then in spring and summer they spread out along a trellis on the western, sunny side of the house.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), which I've had in my garden from the beginning, is native in most states surrounding Wisconsin, but not technically native here. Other species of Echinacea are more commonly native in Wisconsin. This one is hardy in USDA zones 3-8. It's definitely a standard garden beauty, a great cut flower, and a favorite of the pollinators.
Finally, Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) is native to states nearly surrounding Wisconsin, and even up into some Canadian provinces north of us. It's hardy in USDA zones 5-10. I have a complicated relationship with this plant. It's a unique, beautiful shade of lilac/pink, and it blooms in late summer/early fall. The blooms are gorgeous and they're wonderful cut flowers. What's interesting is that the rabbits eat Blue Mistflower when it's not protected, but where they can't reach it in a protected area it tends to take over the garden. Apparently, there's no halfway with this plant, in my garden anyway. (But I still love it.)
I'm so pleased that these beauties grace my garden. They're lovely, most are great cut flowers, and they feed the pollinators. And I'm so happy that they have a place here.
*Note: All native ranges are sourced from the Biota of North America Program (BONAP); all hardiness zones are from the Missouri Botanical Garden; they may vary with other sources.
That's a beautiful collection of native plants, Beth. I was particularly taken with the dramatic woodland pinkroot.
ReplyDeleteYes, they're all really special in their own ways, Kris. I agree--it's so special to find a plant that's bright and colorful, even in the shade.
DeleteYour plan is a good one and seems quite practical. Like Kris, I'm in love with that pinkroot, but each close up shot of these blooms are just stunning. Tina
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tina. I love them all in their own special ways. And the blooms, on their own timelines, extend the beauty through the summer and into the autumn. :)
DeleteHi Beth, I also have a plan quite similar to yours. Your selection of plants is lovely, Pinkroot and Mistflower are new to me. I have Passiflora caerulea and Constance Elliot and got a cutting of P. incarnata last autumn which has been flowering like mad in a pot in the greenhouse. I must find a spot very soon. Here the passionflowers stay green throughout the winter and their shoots come up in the most unexpected places.
ReplyDeleteOh, that would be fun to have the Passionflowers green throughout the winter. I actually cover mine with mulch and they're right next to the house, which probably helps them in this cold climate. I highly recommend all these plants--they all bring their own special benefits and beauty. :)
DeleteWow, the pinkroot is unique & wonderful! My "plan" seems to change all the time lol. Although in the back I've fully committed to dry garden. The front is more "work in progress". You're right to have an idea in place so everything doesn't end up chaotic, good advice!
ReplyDeleteMy plan changes, too, and the zone has shifted very slightly warmer since we've been living here. To be honest, my entire garden is a "work in progress." Tee hee. The rabbits, weather, my moods and experience, and other factors keep it changing. But the woodland is its own boss--all we do back there is remove non-native, invasive plants...and maintain a small path through it.
DeleteInteresting! I have subconsciously done the same thing with my flower garden. The annuals are on the porch and in the front part of the garden. Further away from the house is the perennial flowers and then the shade garden with trees. Great minds think alike!
ReplyDeleteI spent this morning digging the hellebores that have seeded themselves in the pathway. Why, oh why, does everything ONLY seed itself in the walkway? There was not one, single seedling anywhere else in the flowerbed.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Hi Jeannie: Great minds think alike, indeed. :) Interesting how you mention the Hellebores seeding themselves. I didn't have that happen much originally...the Hellebores slowly expanded from their original plants out back near our rock wall. But in a new spot I have them out front, they are definitely re-seeding. They don't spread much here, though, and they're certainly easy to control.
DeleteNone of the Hellebores have expanded here either. They only add a few extra leaves occasionally. They have dropped seeds in just the walkway which makes me wonder why that one spot is so special. The soil is packed as hard as concrete. Nature makes no sense - but I love the blooms in the dead of winter!
DeleteI do like Spigelia marilandica, but I suspect it's not very hardy if the soil stays wet and cold. Maybe it's drier where you live in winter...
ReplyDeleteHi Fred: That's an interesting thought. The locations where I have the Spigelias are somewhat blocked by other plants and structures, so I guess they probably do stay a little drier than they would in a more open location. It isn't dry here in winter with our snow freezing and thawing (and definitely not in springtime with loads of rain). But maybe the locations where I have them match their needs.
DeleteI’m amazed at your plants, Beth, and in particular the Woodland Pinkroot - that one is stunning and so unusual. It’s a real bonus for you to be able to overwinter the Passionflower - another amazing flower - and full of intrigue. Blue Mistflower is another that I haven’t seen before. It’s lovely to see what grows in different countries of the world. Thank you for the insight into your own world of plants.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine: Yes, the Spigelia is unique. I was thrilled the first year it re-emerged after the winter, and it's come back every year since. I agree that it's wonderful to learn about happy plants and people around the world. :)
DeleteVery interesting post, Beth. And more beautiful flowers to brighten my day. I'm behind in responding, both here and to comments on my blog, recovering from a fractured wrist (hiking can be dangerous!) It's doing much better ... but you can still send flowers ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hollis. Sorry to hear about your wrist, and thanks for the reminder to be careful while hiking. Our terrain is probably a bit more gentle than yours, but it's good to be cautious when hiking always. I'm sending you a virtual bouquet...heal well...
DeletePretty images! I should check whether I can grow some of these. I don’t think passionflower or spigelia is likely, but mist flower might be. And thanks for the kind words at my blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Tom: Your blog is a wonderful joy every time I visit. Yes, I imagine you could grow some of these. They are beauties and beneficial in so many ways. Have a great week!
DeleteThank you for the information Beth. We will be doing major changes to our south garden next spring / summer, the planning has already started.
ReplyDeleteCarla
Hey Carla: Sure thing. :) I'll look forward to your coverage of your new garden area.
DeleteI think native plants are the way to go for the future and you have some really gorgeous ones. I really like your passion flower, which unfortunately wouldn't survive the winter here but we could grow it in a conservatory.
ReplyDeleteHi Pauline: I agree. I'll probably always have some nonnative potted annuals and edibles, and a few nonnative perennials. But I'm definitely moving more toward native plants. I didn't think the Passionflower would survive here either, but I was thrilled when it did. It seems very happy, for several years now, overwintering along the side of the house. And, yes, my potted one grows well indoors in a conservatory-like setting. :)
DeleteAn array of beauties. I feel as you do about Blue Mistflower. It's lovely, but I finally got tired of it spreading and eradicated it one year, a move I regret. If I ever get back into my garden with ambition, I'll add it back.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Blue Mistflower situation is unique. I really love it this time of year when it's blooming--it's so pretty. But it's very aggressive...except when the rabbits eat it. ;-)
DeleteYou take such gorgeous photos! I wish I had been as aware of natives when I first started gardening. I am now working hard to incorporate them where I can too. I had no idea that purple passion flower was hardy to zone 5, so that's one I should definitely try.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cassi! Yes, I highly recommend the Purple Passionflower...either potted or in the ground along a trellis. It's such a fascinating bloom! I've never had any fruit, and I think my climate--even with the potted one--is too northern for fruiting. But the flowers are so beautiful!
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