By Stephanie Barelman
5
44 ratings
The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.
Show notes coming soon!
In today's episode, Fall in Love with Native Plants, we go over why not to neglect the three season garden and the many native perennials and grasses you can incorporate for fall interest.
We've dug into our archives and given new life to an old episode. Come for a refresh on some great native fall-blooming plants in case you need some ideas for some last-ditch fall projects.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by:
Lauritzen Gardens
laurtizengardens.org
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
Episode ContentI've gleaned a lot of today's fun insect info from Heather Holm's book Pollinators of Native Plants: https://amzn.to/3ZyEK85
Go find her podcast episode from last October for more seasonally-relevant info!
Fall Plant Families
New England aster
Also:
heath aster
Looks like a snowy blanket in bloom ('snow flurry') or if using the straight native species, like snow covered branches reaching up
Growth habit from 1 foot to 3 feet, two completely different habits depending on if you use 'snow flurry cultivar' or the straight native species
Other utility: long lived aster, suited for dry, tough areas
silky aster
Looks very delicate, grows around things, very wispy and ethereal
Growth habit up to 1 foot and a half
heartleaf aster
Looks heart shaped leaves periwinkle flowers
Growth habit up to 3 feet, likes to show up everywhere and you will let it
smooth blue aster
Looks bluish purple with blue green leaves
Growth habit shrubby but open
Late season nectar forage YES!
Host plant status crescent butterflies
sky blue aster
Looks another pale purple aster, very similar to smooth aster
Growth habit up to 3 feet
aromatic aster
True to its name another pale purple aster up to 2 feet, popular one the rabbits don’t seem to eat.
tall boneset
Looks tall with tight clustered fireworks of white, stout, doesn’t need much support, dense
Growth habit up to 5 feet
Maximilian sunflower
Also:
sawtooth sunflower
Looks tall majestic yellow sunflowers with large green leaves
Growth habit colony forming up to about 6 feet
We saw a great example of this at Little Salt Fork Marsh Preserve near Lincoln in Raymond, NE. Indian grass, little bluestem, and sawtooth sunflower: heaven.
western sunflower
Looks similar to false sunflower, delicate yellow daisy shaped blooms
Growth habit up to 3 feet
Blooms from July to September
Jerusalem artichoke
Native sunflower with edible tubers, aggressive but we talk about its usefulness and how to grow it in our native edible plant series, specifically our episode on vegetables, greens, and alliums
wild petunia
common ironweed
stiff goldenrod
zig zag goldenrod
Also:
canada goldenrod
Looks like goldenrod!
Growth habit stout goldenrod, aggressive spreader perfect for wild spaces or in an area you can let it grow into a nice patch
Late season nectar forage YES!
Can be a good rain garden addition, especially with obedient plant and swamp milkweed
Missouri goldenrod
Looks like goldenrod!
Growth habit 3 feet or so, a little floppy
Early blooming!
showy goldenrod
Looks a nice gorgeous specimen true to its name, not too bad on flopping
Growth habit up to 5 feet
Late season nectar forage YES!
Also: look into goldenrod if you're interested in native plant dyes
Disclaimer: I've introduced you to a rabbit hole...
Helenium autumnale
cheerful yellow flowers
looks great in a rain garden
butterfly milkweed
Also:
whorled milkweed
Looks delicate white orchid shaped flowers, leaves turn yellow in fall
Growth habit an opportunist, will cheerfully spread itself around your other plants but only grows to about a foot tall
Other utility wasps dig it
false sunflower
Verbena stricta
Verbena hastata
Rattlesnake master
pitcher sage
Looks pale bluish purple
Growth habit: tall so place accordingly, this thing is gonna flop you really got to place other tall and or shrubby stuff around it
Host plant status hermit sphinx moth
Other utility drought tolerant, aromatic, lovely paired with yellow, a bee favorite
2. Virginia mountain mint
3. wild bergamot
4. spotted bee balm
purple love grass
Looks like beautiful purple smoke, or golden smoke
Growth habit short, wispy
Other utility great for hellstrips or other stubborn dry areas
prairie dropseed
Looks big friendly green tuft of grass
Growth habit bunch forming, 2-3 feet
Other utility birds like eating the seeds, good source of fall color as cold sets in
Versatile grass that will grow in a variety of areas
side oats grama
Looks like rolled oats on a blade of grass, teeny tiny red flowers, see if you can spot them
Growth habit open up to 2 or so feet tall
Host plant status larval host for skippers
Other utility another great grass for dry spaces
blue grama
Up to 2 foot range
Easy to start from seed
Great for erosion
little bluestem
Looks kaleidoscope of blues and purples and reds and copper tones
Growth habit 3 feet and sometimes a scowtch taller if its really happy
Host plant status larval host for skippers
Other utility birds will eat the seeds, our official state grass
big bluestem
Looks amazing purplish red tips, looks like heaven paired with Indian grass
Growth habit tall these babies get up to about 8 feet tall
Other utility a very important part of tallgrass prairie ecosystems
switchgrass
4 to 5 foot range
Looks amazing with little bluestem and other wildflowers
Has trendy named cultivars
indian grass
Looks bronze and gold colored seedheads, majestic en masse
Growth habit tall 6 feet or more
Other utility: food for birds
In conclusion
Be open-minded, fall exists outside of exotic chrysanthemums and ornamental kale. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Additional content related to this episode:What makes a plant native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
BNPS aforementioned
http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional ResourcesOther Local Organizations
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review...
In today’s episode, The Dark Side of Native Plants: Fandoms, Gatekeeping, Anxiety, Pretense, and What You Can Do To Avoid Their Pitfalls, we discuss exactly that.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by:
Midwest Natives Nursery
www.midwestnativesnursery.com/
https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives
https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery
Lauritzen Gardens
laurtizengardens.org
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
Episode ContentATTENTION: Today’s episode is marked explicit for a single, well-placed F-bomb.
Roadblocks to Our New Way of Life
Today’s Public Service Announcement:
Beware of the Gatekeepers
You DON’T need to buy a certain book, or take certain classes. There are wonderful organizations that work very hard to provide this education to you for FREE such as:
That being said, we DO recommend wonderful authors on our show such as:
We also DO recommend local plant suppliers that provide affordable plant material such as:
And remember: there’s no one way to do anything!
Patreon Disclaimer
We (if the gods allow) occasionally put content on our Patreon. But if you need this info for FREE, please email [email protected]. Just because I am trying to make a living doesn’t mean we will keep you from the good stuff.
Examples of Negative (and Subjective) Plant Opinions
Just because you are enthusiastic about native plants doesn’t mean you have to accept EVERYTHING a (sort of)native plants person you admire says.
As said by Piet Oudolf, natural landscapes garden designer, in one of his books:
As said by Piet Oudolf and landscape designer and host John McGee on the Native Plant Podcast (not to be confused with our podcast:)
Controversial statement by the late Toby Hemenway, a 2000s garden author, professor, environmentalist:
Ben Vogt, Lincoln landscape designer and seeming native plant activist:
Traditional seeming negative opinions I've heard and read:
Hold on, Can Native Plants be Invasive?
Depends who you are asking...
Although, can something be invasive if it isn’t foreign or is it just robust? Is a plant civilization truly noxious and undesirable simply because it has evolved to be such a strong survivor in prime conditions? Maybe something like complete obliteration of its natural ecosystem where more checks and balances were in place?!?!
Some Important Differences Between Being a Native Plant Person vs. Being a Landscape Designer:
Native plant expert: promotes native plants in the landscape
Designer: promotes certain plants in the landscape
Native plant expert: motivated by ecology
Designer: motivated by income flow
The Whole Point of the Native Plants Movement
to use native plants to reintroduce nature to our landscapes, right?
DON'T Conflate Opinion with Academic Expertise
Before you take someone’s advice on what plants could be considered, consider considering them.
But surprise this whole episode is my opinion!
Have You Been Told To Avoid Any of the Following?
Have You Heard the Following Terms:
Have You Been Told Things Using This Language:
In Defense of Common Milkweed…
“Perhaps most of us fall in love with the idea of milkweeds, when we hear they host the very beloved monarch butterfly. We do our best to plant natives and inevitably we may come across someone giving away loads of common milkweed. Later on, we may regard anyone giving away hoards of a single variety of plant as a red flag. We may start to talk to our garden people about plants that are “too aggressive.” We may come to view plants like common milkweed as not worthy of our gardens and banish them along with native sunflowers, roses, wild mint, and other spreading plants into some dark recess of the native plants mindset. But, and hear me out on this, have you gone up to a common milkweed in bloom and stuck your nose right up in the flowers? Have you? Because by God, it smells like a fever dream. It’s a marvelously nutritious plant for humans and wildlife. It looks unique. It’s always buzzing with activity. It’s a fucking symbol of the prairie and we can’t banish it, guys. Give common milkweed a chance. Find somewhere to put it and for the love of all things garden worthy, stop and smell it once in a while.”
Keep It Simple
Plant what you, pollinators, and your kids love. Do your best to know what plants better support ecology and don’t let other people’s opinions be the gatekeeper for your gardens. Remember that the literature is mostly written by opinionated landscape designers and try to distinguish between fact and commentary.
Don’t stay away from all goldenrods and sunflowers just because you are told to. For the best plants ecology wise, refer to ecoregion guides like these:
https://pollinator.org/PDFs/Guides/PrairieParklandrx12FINAL.pdf
https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/22-027_01_NPPBI%E2%80%94NorthernPlains_web.pdf
https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/Plants
https://homegrownnationalpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/HNP-ECO-REG-9.2-TREES-SHRUBS-LIST.110323.pdf
Instead of Avoiding Plants, We Can Learn How to Manage Them!
Too tall? Plant it at the back of the border or cut it back in June. Spread too much? Plant it in a container in the ground.
"For Wild Spaces Only"
If it’s only good for wild spaces, what will we do when wild spaces no longer exist?
Even if the developer/business owner/ new homeowner/ landlord is progressive, do you think sunflowers and goldenrod will be allowed to exist, if the most progressive among us are placing it dead center on a planting hit-list?
In Closing
Take scare posts with a grain of salt, feel free to disregard or flat out reject this entire episode, look away from the paywalls, look to the people who are passion-driven, who simply won’t shut up about how much they love plants ever.
The native plants movement-and in logical succession- this podcast and other native plant podcasts should resonate with one singular effort- to help native species continue on into the future and to reignite their use in landscapes.
Gardening Isn’t Rocket Science
At its very essence, gardening is an appreciation for life on earth, the wonder of nature, the art of paying attention, and trying to leave something wholesome, lasting, and beneficial for generations of people and creatures to come
Thank you all so much for listening and your continued support of the podcast and native plants!!!!!
Additional Content Related to This EpisodeWhat Makes a Plant Native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
Local Plant Suppliers
Midwest Natives Nursery
Great Plains Nursery
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Prairie Legacy Nursery
Mulhall's
Online Plant Suppliers
Prairie Moon Nursery
Prairie Nursery
Stock Seed
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional ResourcesOther Local Organizations
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
In today’s episode, Rain Gardens for the Reluctant Gardener, we chat with Steve Rodie about just how much water comes off your roof in a single rain, what the heck bioswales are, and some tried and true native plants to select for your rain garden projects.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Guest Steve Rodie
Steve Rodie retired in 2020 from 26 years of teaching, research, and extension at the University of Nebraska. He is currently an Emeritus Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at UNO. During his academic career, he focused his teaching and research on landscape plants, landscape and environmental appreciation and sustainability, sustainable landscape design, and green infrastructure stormwater management using rain gardens, bioretention gardens, and other best management practices.
Steve is also a registered landscape architect and worked on environmental assessments and visual resources analyses for almost 10 years in Colorado and California. In 2012, he was elected as a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by:
Midwest Natives Nursery
www.midwestnativesnursery.com/
https://www.facebook.com/midwestnatives
https://www.instagram.com/midwest_natives_nursery
Lauritzen Gardens
laurtizengardens.org
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
Episode ContentTRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.
625 GALLONS OF WATER
That's how much an 1000 square foot roof sheds with the average rain.
In a moderate rainstorm, imagine how much water a 2500 square foot roof sheds! Food for thought.
Why Filtering Stormwater Runoff is Important
Fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus,) car lot oils, heavy metals pollute rivers and streams when the polluted water just rushes straight into the storm drains.
So when we can help control the volume and the quality of the water that runs off, we can help keep our environment clean!
How Can Homeowners Find Out if They Have Rain Garden Potential?
Look around. When it rains, where is the water going and coming from? Downspouts are an obvious source of runoff, but maybe you have water rushing off of a slanted driveway, patio, or other pavement.
A rain garden would be placed close to one of these sources but at least 10 feet away from your house and not under an existing tree.
DO A DRAINAGE TEST!
Find a spot where a rain garden seems appropriate and test the soil in the center of the area.
Dig a hole a foot down and a foot wide, fill it to the top with water. Wait two hours (for it to settle) and fill it back up to the top. Stick an old ruler in the side and measure how much inches of water goes down (infiltrates) each hour.
This seems like a slog but the lowest part of your rain garden is going to be anywhere from 6-12 inches deep depending on how fast the soil can absorb the water.
If you want to skip the technical stuff start with the center of your rain garden at 3 inches deep and see if it drains in two hours.
Video on this test here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEN0NtMsvsg
You can also find the section in this file: https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1262/2013/pdf/view/ec1262-2013.pdf
Retained Water Helps Cool the Air
Maybe this is a basic thing but whatever, we touch on it.
Bioswales- What the Heck are They?
A swale is something that channels water, could be as basic as a ditch. But a bioswale is an area where plant species are also incorporated to further channel and disperse water.
Bioswales can be a standalone thing or attached to a rain garden. Different situations might call for one or both to be utilized.
Inlets, Outlets, and Berms, Oh My!
Ok, But, Seriously, How Deep Should A Rain Garden Be, How Big Should it Be?
A rain garden with the center depression, think the bullseye in the donut hole, at a typical 6 inches deep should drain water within 12-24 hours.
If it takes longer and you have sitting water in your rain garden, you risk damage to plants, not to mention, making ripe conditions for mosquitoes.
If you want to know the methodology of determining your depth and rain garden size, consult these publications here. Choose between the web version OR interactive PDF :
https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1262/rain-garden-design-site-and-selection-guide
GET YOUR SOIL TESTED!
https://midwestlabs.com/
Traditional Garden Design Touchstones
Consider:
Plants Sorted by Sun Conditions
Sun/Partial Sun
Shade / Partial Shade
**Reminder: Don't put a rain garden under an existing tree, the shade should be coming from a nearby structure, but again keep the rain garden at least 10 feet from a building
Shrubs!
NEWANIP
To support ecology, choose Native and adapted Ecological and Well Adapted Non Invasive Plants
In Closing
Remember, trees also help manage water. Don't forget to plant trees on your property.
Deep-rooted natives provide ecosystem services for FREE! Continue to reduce soil compaction by reducing lawns and using native plants!
Thank you all so much for listening and your continued support of the podcast and native plants!!!!!
Additional Content Related to This EpisodeWhat Makes a Plant Native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
Local Plant Suppliers
Midwest Natives Nursery
Great Plains Nursery
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Prairie Legacy Nursery
Mulhall's
Online Plant Suppliers
Prairie Moon Nursery
Prairie Nursery
Stock Seed
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional ResourcesOther Local Organizations
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
In today’s episode, Nebraskan Trees and Shrubs for Bored Suburbanites, we chat with Heather Byers, owner of Great Plains Nursery, about keystone species, the best time of year to plant trees, and beautiful and native options for woody plants humans, pollinators, and yes, even squirrels can enjoy.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Guest Heather Byers
Heather Byers is a native tree enthusiast and, along with her husband Brian, owner of Great Plains Nursery near Weston, NE. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Horticulture Production and shortly after started the business with a passion for growing and planting native trees and shrubs and sharing the importance of native plants for the ecosystem.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:
laurtizengardens.org
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
Episode ContentTRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.
Top Trees and Shrubs at Great Plains Nursery
Most of the plants we discuss can be found online at https://greatplainsnursery.com/
Although there are differences between Eastern and Western Nebraska, Heather stresses planting trees and shrubs with high ecological value.
Her recommendations for Eastern NE:
Oaks, baby!
Did you know that oaks support 500 species of caterpillars. And consequentially, oaks support a variety of birds such as bluejays (beautiful jerks) and species of warblers. Many different kinds of oaks to choose from such as:
Some recommendations for Western NE:
Recommendations also for Southeastern NE:
Looking to Build Bird Habitat?
Heather reminds us to not only provide plants with fresh nuts and berries for birds, but also focus on trees and shrubs that act as larval hosts.
96% of songbirds rear their young on caterpillars: big, fat juicy caterpillars full of protein. So help mama bird and also encourage a nice diversity of birds to your garden for your own viewing pleasure.
Some plants to focus on:
Fast Growing Trees for the Impatient Gardener
Windbreak Trees- Think Past Non-Native Evergreens
For the furthest boundary away from the house on the north-side you can plant:
The next layer could consist of:
The innermost layer of this windbreak could be:
Check out this book, “Woody Plants for the Central and Northern Prairies,” illustrated by my friend, Nancy Scott, here.
Underrated Tree That Should be Planted More
Kentucky Coffee Tree https://greatplainsnursery.com/product/kentucky-coffeetree-2/
Keystone Species
If you want to hear more about keystone species, go back and listening to our Soft Landings episode with guest Heather Holm:
https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm/episode/softerlandings
Plant families to consider:
Shade Garden- Don't Fear!
Still trees and shrubs you can plant for shadier areas. Try:
A lot of these plants are used to growing under dense tree canopy in their natural habitats.
Got Squirrels?
Do you get a queer sense of joy out of seeing them prance through the garden and hoarding more nuts than they can possibly ever find? Plant these and stop buying store bought corn cobs:
If You're Scared of Deer
For the love of Goldenrod, just cage your trees.
Bucks will rub their antlers on young tree branches in fall. You can cage your trees for the first few years with wire fencing, t-posts. Make a 5-ft diameter ring around the tree with 5-6 foot fencing wire.
Privacy Screens!
Goodbye, arborvitae! Hello native options!
Closing Tips from Heather
Thank you all so much for listening and your continued support of the podcast and native plants!!!!!
Additional Content Related to This EpisodeWhat Makes a Plant Native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
Local Plant Suppliers
Midwest Natives Nursery
Great Plains Nursery
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Prairie Legacy Nursery
Mulhall's
Online Plant Suppliers
Prairie Moon Nursery
Prairie Nursery
Stock Seed
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional ResourcesOther Local Organizations
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
In today’s episode, Alternative Lawns: Not Your Grandmother's Turfgrass, we go over different options for replacing lawn, why you'll be happy to make the jump, and tried and true ways to replace and maintain your new landscape.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:
laurtizengardens.org
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
Episode ContentRehash our first episode if you are new to the podcast or our wonderful edible plants series here!
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Books to Read
Why Lawns Aren't Sustainable or Healthy
Protect Pollinators at Home: Alternatives to HerbicidesThe Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservationhttps://xerces.org › blog › protect-pollinators-at-home-alt...
The Risks of Pesticides to PollinatorsThe Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservationhttps://www.xerces.org › pesticides › risks-pesticides-poll...
PesticidesPollinator.orghttps://www.pollinator.org › Learning Center
Benefits of Ditching Your Lawn
Alt Lawn Options
Blue Grama Lawn: Blue Grama is a warm-season grass. It is drought tolerant and thrives when other exotic grasses struggle. Height of 1-2 feet. Can seed or plug.
Buffalo Grass Lawn: Buffalo grass is also warm-season grass that gets about 6 inches tall. It is very drought tolerant and long lived.
Sideoats Grama Lawn: More of a meadow lawn since it does reach 2-3 feet in height
Mixed Grass Lawn: You can find different mixes from different suppliers such as (50%) blue grama and (50%) buffalograss, (30%) blue grama, (30%) side oats grama, and (40%) buffalograss... There's also other formulations like habiturf which is (62%) buffalograss,(30%)blue grama, and curly mesquite (8%)
Pennsylvania sedge lawn: Pennsylvania sedge forms dense mats of medium green and grows 6 to 8 inches.
Plains oval sedge lawn
Long-beaked sedge: Great shade lawn option
Let dandelions go and add in native common violet, self heal, purple poppy mallow, wild strawberry, and
Shortgrass Prairie
Eclectic Meadow
Tallgrass Prairie
Mix and match large swaths of ground covers: Plant en masse in groups of 5, 7, 9
Plants to use: BUTTERFLYWEED, PRAIRIE VIOLET, HEATH ASTER, WILD PETUNIA, WILD STRAWBERRY, PRAIRIE CLOVER, POPPY MALLOW, CAREX BREVIOR, GROUND PLUM (I'm not yelling, but lazily copying and pasting from my powerpoint...)
More plants to use: Pearly everlasting, pussytoes, artemisia ludoviciana, 'snow flurry' heath aster cultivar, prairie dropseed, western yarrow
Some shrubs to use along with your choice of grasses and perennial plants: LEADPLANT, SILKY DOGWOOD, CHOKECHERRY, CORALBERRY, AMORPHA FRUCTICOSA, PRAIRIE ROSE, ELDERBERRY, PLAINS WILD INDIGO, BAPTISIA AUSTRALIS
Use plants like wild ginger, dutchman’s breeches, heartleaf aster, mayapple, woodland phlox and others
Don’t be shy to add a crushed limestone, pea gravel, flagstone, or salvaged stone patio area to cut down on lawn space and create a relaxing place to view garden areas
You may use landscape fabric stapled underneath
These patios can last ten years or more and can be installed DIY
An entire "room" could be made where lawn resides for a vegetable garden. Vegetable gardens are often made in a square or rectangle design, fenced to protect crops from deer or wildlife, and given paths of mulch, brick, or other material to access plant beds
A place of tranquility to hoard vintage finds and favorite plants
How to Ditch Your Lawn
If you are in an HOA, get clear rules detailed about what is allowed for gardenscape/lawns
City of Omaha “all weeds, grass, and worthless vegetation cannot reach a height of 12 inches or more….” meaning occasionally mow, weed monthly, and use cues that this is a maintained garden.
Note that complaints with the city can be appealed but HOA rules are more iron-clad
Do not plant things that decrease visibility in your hellstrip. Opt for very low-growing 1-2 foot plants
You can hire a local property assessor for around $400. Or you can go googling your county's GIS and find your parcel by parcel number or last name. Google "[your county] GIS" to find your local data.
Pottawattamie county here
Douglas county here
Sarpy county here
Lancaster county here
If you are in a rental property, ask permission to make any changes
Call the hotline (811) to mark utilities for free before you dig
Google free "Prairie Moon garden designs, " "pollinator garden design," or consult a local garden designer.
Mechanical removal OPTION 1: rent a sod cutter or use a spade
Non-selective herbicide OPTION 2
Smother/ solarize OPTION 3 but also good followup to OPTION 1
Start with plugs: Grasses and sedges only
Buy plugs or 3-4 inch pots versus an initial seeding
Space plants on half foot centers
Plant in May or September
Keep area moist with oscillating sprinkler by watering for about an hour every few days but do not overwater. Do this for three weeks and then taper off.
You may overseed once or twice a year in April or August
You may mow 2-3 times a year with mower at highest setting (June, July, August)
Start with plugs: Meadows/ BEE LAWNS
Buy plugs or 3-4 inch pots versus an initial seeding
Space plants on half foot centers
Plant in May or September
Keep area moist with oscillating sprinkler by watering for about an hour every few days but do not overwater. Do this for three weeks and then taper off.
You may overseed once or twice a year in April or August
You may mow 2-3 times a year with mower at highest setting (June, July, August)
Start with plugs: Yardens
Buy plugs or 3-4 inch pots
Utilize moderate growth rate shrubs like shrubby st. john’s wort, dwarf blue baptisia, and lead plant
Space plants on 1 foot centers
Plant in May or September
Keep area moist with oscillating sprinkler by watering for about an hour every few days but do not overwater. Do this for three weeks and then taper off.
You may do an initial mulching or use weed suppression mat
You may cut back perennials to 1-2 inches in height each year in May
Future Commitments of Time and Care
Plan to maintain by weeding at least once a month per garden area
Weed once a week for new beds, once a month for established beds.
Keep watch for invasives moving in such as poison hemlock, Canada thistle, and creeping Charlie, among others!
Additional Resources
PRAIRIE MOON
PRAIRIE LEGACY
MIDWEST NATIVES NURSERY
BUMBLING BEE NATIVE WILDFLOWERS
PRAIRIE LEGACY
GREAT PLAINS NURSERY
MULHALL’S
SOME BOOKS
PRAIRIE UP- by BENJAMIN VOGT
PLANTING IN A POST WILD WORLD- by THOMAS RAINIER AND CLAUDIA WEST
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GRASSES FOR LIVABLE LANDSCAPES- by RICK DARKE
PODCASTS
PLANT NATIVE NEBRASKA PODCAST( shameless plug)
BELLEVUE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
GREEN BELLEVUE
CITY SPROUTS- VEGETABLE GARDENING!
Hey, You Sweet Little Plant Nerds
Thanks for listening!!!!!
Additional Content Related to This EpisodeWhat Makes a Plant Native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
Local Plant Suppliers
Midwest Natives Nursery
Great Plains Nursery
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Prairie Legacy Nursery
Mulhall's
Online Plant Suppliers
Prairie Moon Nursery
Prairie Nursery
Stock Seed
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional ResourcesOther Local Organizations
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
We will be back on for new episodes bi-weekly from August 14th-December 4th! Until then...
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
Local Plant Suppliers
Midwest Natives Nursery
Bumbling Bee Native Wildflowers
Great Plains Nursery
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Prairie Legacy Nursery
Mulhall's
Online Plant Suppliers
Prairie Moon Nursery
Prairie Nursery
Stock Seed
What Makes a Plant Native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional Resources
Other Local Organizations
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
In today’s episode, Native Plant Horticulture in Nebraska, we chat with director of conservation at Lauritzen Gardens, Jim Locklear, about the decision-making behind choosing plants for botanic gardens, the crossroads between aesthetic spaces and conservation, and why the preservation of native plant communities is still important.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Guest Jim Locklear
Jim Locklear has been the director of conservation at Lauritzen Gardens since 2010. He has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Central Missouri and a master's in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University. He formerly served as director of the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Kansas and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. He recently published a new book titled, In the Country of the Kaw, about the midwestern watershed of the Kaw River and its history.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:
laurtizengardens.org
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
Episode ContentNative Plant Horticulture in Nebraska
Studying Rare Ecosystems, Different Habitats, and Wildlife Activity at Lauritzen
Stewards of the Environment
Plants We Could See More Of...
Hope is a Four-Letter Word
Jewels of the Prairie
YOU Can Get Involved
Jim's New Book: In the Country of the Kaw
Thoughts of Importance
Local Plant Suppliers
Midwest Natives Nursery
Great Plains Nursery
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Prairie Legacy Nursery
Mulhall's
Online Plant Suppliers
Prairie Moon Nursery
Prairie Nursery
Stock Seed
Thanks for listening!
Additional Content Related to This EpisodeWhat Makes a Plant Native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional ResourcesOther Local Organizations
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
In today’s episode, The Native Patio Garden, we go over why Native American plants are important for non-home dwellers to consider, how we can rework container garden philosophy using native plants, and which native plants can hack it in smaller square footage than the average garden. Dive deeper into today's episode by visiting our Patreon @patreon.com/PlantNativeNebraska .
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:
laurtizengardens.org
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
Episode ContentYou do not need a yard to contribute to conservation!
More people are trying native plants in container gardens. Although a lot of prairie plants have taproots or extensive root systems, there are some shallower-rooting options to try. If you are trying out things or have experience at growing native plants in container gardens, please email us your stories and successes at [email protected].
DO: Get Large Pots
The larger the better. Get crafty and recycle old whiskey barrels, 5 gallon buckets, or just pick some up at your local plant rescue, thrift store, or off Facebook marketplace. Big box stores and nurseries are okay too.
Make good soil.
Potting mix tossed with a bit of compost will do just fine but look up some DIY potting soil compositions online. Some mix in sand or vermiculite. Many good ways to make a nice container mix.
Prepare to take care of your plants
Water thine plants and to thine own self be true.
HERE'S SOME LISTS!Thanks for listening!
Native Patio Pots For Shade!
Thrillers
Fillers
Spillers
Native Patio Pots For Partial Shade!
Thrillers
Fillers
Spillers
Native Patio Pots for Spring!
3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP
Thrillers
Fillers
Spillers
Native Patio Pots for Summer
3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP
Thrillers
Fillers
Spillers
Got Bigger Pots? Try These!
Native Patio Pots For Fall!
3-5 GALLON POTS NARROWER BUT DEEP
Thrillers
Filler
Spillers
Bigger Pots? Try these! (& pinch back in June)
What makes a plant native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
Local Plant Suppliers
Midwest Natives Nursery
Great Plains Nursery
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Prairie Legacy Nursery
Mulhall's
Online Plant Suppliers
Prairie Moon Nursery
Prairie Nursery
Stock Seed
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional ResourcesOrgs and Tools
Other Local Organizations
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
In today’s episode, Lessons From the Prairie, we chat with Chris Helzer about invasive species, what makes a landscape ecologically resilient, and why we don't have to recreate the past for the present to be meaningful.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Guest Chris Helzer
Chris Helzer is Director of Science and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and supervises the Conservancy’s preserve stewardship program. He also helps develop and test prairie management and restoration strategies. Chris is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing and presentations. He is the author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States and Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter. He is also a frequent contributor to NEBRASKAland magazine and other publications.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:
laurtizengardens.org
Today's episode is also sponsored by Lucky Toad Restorative Gardens:
https://www.luckytoadgardens.com/
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
Episode ContentI gleaned talking points from Chris's blog, The Prairie Ecologist, which you can and should read here!
Chris is always a good chat! Thanks for participating!
Additional content related to this episode:What makes a plant native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
BNPS aforementioned
http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety- BNPS on Facebook
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional ResourcesOther Local Organizations
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.
652 Listeners
26,076 Listeners
299 Listeners
43,196 Listeners
343 Listeners
111,425 Listeners
56,513 Listeners
395 Listeners
1,793 Listeners
22,841 Listeners
9,477 Listeners
15,488 Listeners
260 Listeners
5,957 Listeners
21 Listeners