Native Plants

In the last few weeks, a peculiar plant has begun to draw attention as it reaches full bloom across central Illinois. While its towering flower stalks are certainly the main draw, closer inspection reveals unique and foreign-looking growth habit that seems like something right out of the desert....

When most people think about pollinators, they envision the honeybee (Apis mellifera) buzzing from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen.  These non-native bees have become somewhat of a poster child for pollinators but the story of their interaction in the world of insects is...

Gardening with native plants is an ever-increasing trend nationwide as many folks seek an ecological alternative to our traditional non-native landscape species.  However, many of us are faced with some challenges as we add a whole new pallet of plants to our garden spaces.I’ve been obsessed...

These days, the best way to see the lingering fall colors is by looking at the ground.  Most of our trees have dropped their leaves, but color remains at ground level in the fallen foliage or in smaller landscape plants that still retain their autumnal hues. This year, I have been really...

Throughout the summer, I talked to quite a few people who were concerned about the low numbers of monarch butterflies this year.  Some of this concern was sparked early in the year when we learned that the overwintering monarch population in Mexico was measured at near all-time low numbers....

In recent weeks, I have noticed an unfamiliar yellow flower around central Illinois.  It seems to be everywhere I go from ditches and roadsides to local natural areas or even around public gardens.  With its prevalence along my routine travel paths, such as the I-72 or I-74 corridors, I’d...

From time to time, there is a plant you may stumble across and bring home to try in the garden that far exceeds expectations and becomes a new “favorite.”  Rose vervain (Glandularia canadensis), also commonly referred to as rose verbena, has played that role in our garden space in the...

Seed starting is a widespread indoor gardening activity this time of year.  It can be a great way to satisfy your gardening desires while waiting for spring to happen, but not all seeds are the same in their startup requirements.   If you’ve ever tried to start seeds from native...

Spring is nearly upon us and the plant world is beginning to wake up, with hints of the growing season popping up daily.   A variety of early-blooming garden plants are on display right now, from snow crocus (Crocus sieberi) to daffodils (Narcissus spp.). The spectacular spring...

Gardeners considering the wildlife or ecological value of their plant selections have a lot to consider these days.   New information is emerging constantly about the perceived or proven value our landscape plants may provide for wildlife.  While the field of restoration ecology has...