![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blue-Flag-Iris.jpg\")
Illinois has a diverse climate full of fluctuating temperatures, cold winters, and hot summers. The climate supports a variety of plants, including vibrant perennials and hardy evergreens. Illinoisians encounter native plants decorating farmlands, parks, yards, and more. Discover 15 native plants for Illinois landscapes and add some local, Land-of-Lincoln color to your yard. In this […]
\n","content":"\nIllinois has a diverse climate full of fluctuating temperatures, cold winters, and hot summers. The climate supports a variety of plants, including vibrant perennials and hardy evergreens. Illinoisians encounter native plants decorating farmlands, parks, yards, and more. Discover 15 native plants for Illinois landscapes and add some local, Land-of-Lincoln color to your yard.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we will cover:
\n\n\n\nNative plants offer many landscaping benefits, including:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: James Steakley / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlue flag iris thrives in wet environments throughout Illinois, making it a great addition to ponds, streams, or rain gardens. Its tall stems bloom large violet-blue flowers, and its dense clumps of bright green leaves rest on water or ground. They provide nectar for hummingbirds and groundcover for amphibians, snakes, and insects.
\n\n\n\nBlue flag iris prefers wet, acidic soil and tolerates flooding up to three inches. Specimens grow up to three feet tall and bloom from May to June. The perennial is resistant to most pests and diseases, including deer.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 5-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, poorly-drained clay or loam
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Flood-tolerant; water frequently to keep soil moist
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; poisonous roots
\n\n\n\nBlue vervain is a popular choice for Illinois gardens. The perennial has spikes of small purple flowers that attract pollinators. Its dried winter seeds and shoots are a source of food for native wildlife. This tall, clump-forming wildflower has candelabra-shaped stems that grow up to five feet tall once established.
\n\n\n\n![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blue-Vervain-Verbena-hastata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlue vervain prefers full sun but adapts to shady conditions. It blooms from July to September. Specimens are drought-tolerant and make a low-maintenance addition to borders, rain gardens, ponds, and containers.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-5 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade; shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained chalk, loam, or sand.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water one inch per week
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Common](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Common-Blue-Violet.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Steakley / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCommon blue violet is recognized as Illinois’ state flower. Also known as the purple violet or wooly blue violet, this perennial thrives in areas with filtered sunlight like forest floors. Specimens are easily recognizable courtesy of their broad, heart-shaped leaves and purple blooms with white central petals.
\n\n\n\nCommon blue violet is deer-resistant and an excellent pollinator. It is edible, and the leaves and flowers are rich in vitamins.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-10 inches tall and wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; moist, well-drained chalk, loam, or clay
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; water one in per week; allow to dry out between watering
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\n![\"Common](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Common-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMilkweed is so widespread across Illinois that it was adopted as the state wildflower in 2017. It is an herbaceous perennial with domed clusters of pale pink and white flowers. It thrives in full sun and is drought-tolerant. Common milkweed blooms in the summer and is an essential host plant for the endangered Monarch butterfly, the state butterfly of Illinois.
\n\n\n\nCommon milkweed is low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and generally disease and pest-free. It is a great choice for butterfly or container gardens and flower beds.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-4 feet tall and 12 inches wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; well-drained chalk, sand, loam, or clay
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water one inch per week during dry periods
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; mildly poisonous to humans and animals; irritating sap
\n\n\n\n![\"Cup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cup-Plant.jpg\" "\\"alexanders\\"")
Photo Credit: Aaron Volkening / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCup plant survives the extreme Midwestern winters thanks to dormant, cold-weather roots. The herbaceous flowering plant grows up to eight feet tall with toothed leaves and daisy-like blooms.
\n\n\n\nThanks to the shape of its flowers, water accumulates inside like a cup. Cup plant is an excellent backyard specimen that is deer-resistant and has no serious disease or pest issues.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4-8 feet and 1-3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained loam
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; water one inch per week
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Golden](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Golden-Alexanders.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Photo by David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGolden Alexanders is a low-maintenance, low-growing plant that is highly adaptable. It thrives in lawns with moist soils and partial to full sun but tolerates a range of soils and conditions, including drought. Golden Alexanders blooms large clusters of tiny yellow flowers during mid to late spring. These flowers are a great source of nectar for beneficial insects.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; moist, well-drained clay, loam, or sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Adaptable; water one inch per week during the growing season
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; poisonous in large quantities
\n\n\n\n![\"Indian](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Indian-Paintbrush.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Superior National Forest / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIndian paintbrush blooms red to orange flowers that resemble spikes that have been dipped in paint. The herbaceous perennial is a hemiparasite, meaning it parasitically relies on other plants for some of its nutrients. Indian paintbrush blooms from late spring to early summer and grows in sandy areas. It attracts many pollinators and controls competition in the garden, creating a balanced ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water one inch per week; allow the soil to dry out between waterings
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; poisonous to humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"Small](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Nodding-Wild-Onion.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLady’s leek, or nodding wild onion, belongs to the genus Allium, similar to onions and garlic. It has long, leafless stalks with clusters of capsule-like fruits and a distinct pink or purple bloom. It grows in open areas of North America.
\n\n\n\nLady’s leek has a strong scent. Specimens can be cooked or used raw to season food. It is an ideal plant for your home gardens and is long-lived and hardy.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Bulb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-2 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable, moist, well-drained chalk, clay, loam, or sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water one inch per week
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible; little culinary value today
\n\n\n\n![\"New](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/New-England-Aster.jpg\")
Photo Credit: The Cosmonaut / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5 CA
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNew England aster forms multi-stemmed clusters of lavender, pink, or purple flowers with a yellow center. This drought-tolerant and deer-resistant native thrives in all but the driest soils. New England aster prefers partial to full sun, and mature plants grow up to six feet tall. Specimens provide waterfowl coverage and attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3 – 6 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained clay, loam, sand, or chalk
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water once to twice weekly to maintain moist soil
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oakleaf-Hydrangea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: normanack / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNamed for its broad, dark green leaves that resemble oak leaves, oakleaf hydrangea is a great shrub for small spaces or borders as an informal hedge. It grows between four to six feet tall and blooms clusters of tiny, white flowers.
\n\n\n\nOakleaf hydrangea blooms in early spring until midsummer. Cultivars have no serious insect or disease problems and thrive in moist soils. Be sure to prune the flowering shrub as soon as it is done flowering to promote new growth.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 5-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-10 feet high and 6-8 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full shade to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers, fertile, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderately drought-tolerant; prefers moist soil
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; all plant parts are poisonous to humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"Ohio](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ohio-Spiderwort.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOhio spiderwort is a quick-spreading, low-maintenance garden plant that also makes a great houseplant. Specimens often resemble long grass or lilies. The flowers are blue or purple with pale central petals. Ohio spiderwort is drought-tolerant and prefers dry soil. The perennial blooms from May to mid-October and grows two to three feet tall.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-3 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained clay, loam, or sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water every 2-3 days during dry spells; prefers moist soil
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Coneflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PumpkinSky / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPurple coneflower is a perennial herb with purple petals surrounding a burnt orange head atop tall stems. Specimens grow throughout Illinois meadows and open woods. Purple coneflower is low-maintenance and suitable for beginning gardeners. The plant attracts several pollinators and birds, making it a great addition to a wildlife or butterfly garden.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Dry, well-drained sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water one inch per week
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Purple-Prairie-Clover-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: peganum from Henfield, England / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPurple prairie clover grows across Northern and Central Illinois and is recognized by its conical, thimble-shaped purple flowers. It blooms in summer and attracts butterflies, wasps, bees, and birds. It is a food source for various herbivores, such as the pronghorn, and is hay for livestock.
\n\n\n\nPurple prairie clover thrives in sunny locations with average to dry soils. It has large taproots, which can extend down to six feet below the soil. Specimens are crucial for revegetation, and its long taproot system prevents soil erosion.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained clay, loam, sand, or chalk
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; water one inch per week
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible leaves
\n\n\n\n![\"Sweet](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sweet-Gum-Liquidambar-styraciflua.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSweet gum is a native shade tree with a narrow trunk and star-shaped leaves that change to shades of orange, yellow, red, and purple in the Fall. It thrives in full sun. After its flowering season, sweet gum produces spiky balls that drop to the ground. Be sure to plant specimens away from foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 5-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 30-50 feet tall and 25-40 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained clay, loam, or sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: No watering needs outside of natural rainfall
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Wild](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Wild-Bergamot-or-Bee-Balm-Monarda-Fistulosa.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWild bergamot, also known as bee balm, grows throughout Illinois, except in the southernmost regions. Its nectar attracts native pollinators and hummingbirds. The herbaceous flower grows up to five feet tall with three-inch, toothed leaves. Establish specimens from seed or cuttings.
\n\n\n\nWild bergamot prefers full sun to partial shade and can withstand drought thanks to its deep roots. Its roots make it a great choice for stabilizing slopes and erosion control. The perennial blooms pink or lavender flowers in summer that last until October. Wild bergamot is a member of the mint family and has a scent similar to oregano and mint.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; intolerant of flooding
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water once per week in the spring and fall and twice per week in the summer
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible with medicinal uses
\n\n\n\nWhen selecting plants for your yard, keep your hardiness zone in mind. Illinois is located in USDA Hardiness Zones 4b to 6b, which means that Illinois experiences four distinct seasons. All Illinois native plants are hardy to the lowest annual temperatures, approximately -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
\n\n\n\nNative plants can look wild and untamed. They often attract unwelcome wildlife like field mice.
There are almost 2,300 native plant species in Illinois.
Only four prairie buttercup specimens have been spotted since 2007. The native wildflower grows in dry gravel and dolomite prairies in north-central Illinois.
Various organizations in Illinois preserve the original flora and educate people about the significance of native plants. Here are a few things you can do if you want to locate native plants for your landscape:
\n\n\n\nIf you don’t have enough time, energy, or experience to care for your garden, let Wikilawn connect you with an Illinois lawn care pro. From Alton, Carol Stream, to Oak Park, Downers Grove, and more, the experts can mow, edge, weed, and help you pick the best native plants for your landscape.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Grant Park, Chicago / Alanscottwalker / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"15 Native Plants for Illinois Landscapes","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3377926421404682,"src":"/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/1789c/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.jpg","srcSet":"/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/107df/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.jpg 320w,\n/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/293e9/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.jpg 500w,\n/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/f2cbb/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.jpg 800w,\n/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/1789c/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.jpg 960w,\n/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/c26c2/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/1dd6e/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/67b76/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.webp 320w,\n/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/8df11/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.webp 500w,\n/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/98a65/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.webp 800w,\n/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/1dd6e/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.webp 960w,\n/static/5c102d110fee7266156e43a632cfde3c/3cc96/Grant-Park-Chicago-Garden.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"15 Native Plants for Illinois Landscapes","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover the top 15 native plants for Illinois landscapes, including vibrant blooms, resilient perennials, and ecological benefits."}}},{"node":{"id":"bf328c98-dff5-567e-94ba-cb50725bd673","slug":"best-grass-types-for-wyoming","path":"/lawn-care/wyoming/best-grass-types-for-wyoming/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Lydian Pine is a creative writer and studio artist whose work first debuted in a short story anthology. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2020 and enjoys video games, theatre, and swimming. Lately, she has started to study entomology as a hobby.","name":"Lydian Pine","id":"3478d9b1-e85b-5e4a-860b-443c62d1e29c","path":"/author/lydian-pine/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f31ce7919bd939bc1f102cee2f3304d2?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"01f78449-8135-5644-8596-d22109013057","name":"Wyoming","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/wyoming/"}],"date":"June 6th, 2023","excerpt":"Wyoming is one of the grassiest states in the US. thanks to an abundance of prairies. Unfortunately, when it comes to home lawns, only a few turfgrass species are suitable for the Equality State’s tough climate. Discover the 5 best grass types for Wyoming. In this article, we will cover: Warm-Season vs. Cool-Season Grass Types […]
\n","content":"\nWyoming is one of the grassiest states in the US. thanks to an abundance of prairies. Unfortunately, when it comes to home lawns, only a few turfgrass species are suitable for the Equality State’s tough climate. Discover the 5 best grass types for Wyoming.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we will cover:
\n\n\n\nThere are two categories of turfgrass: warm-season and cool-season grasses. Wyoming’s arid continental climate has prolonged, cold winters, making it best suited for cool-season grass types. However, buffalograss, a native warm-season prairie turfgrass, has what it takes to thrive in Wyoming.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grass types enter their active growth phase when temperatures are between 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. They thrive in the southern half of the U.S. Most cultivars are drought tolerant and require frequent mowing at reduced heights in the summer.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses in Wyoming wait until late spring through early fall to push out fresh growth and go dormant throughout the winter.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses grow best in the northern half of the U.S. These grasses thrive in cooler temperatures between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool-season cultivars enter their green-up phases in early spring and again in the fall. Many species go dormant in the summer.
\n\n\n\nThe following warm and cool-season grass types adapt to the climatic and soil conditions of Wyoming:
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Buffalograss.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss is the only warm-season grass that survives Wyoming’s climate. It thrives in the state’s lower altitudes and dry summers. This fine-textured, gray-green turfgrass has excellent drought tolerance and more cold resistance than other warm-season cultivars.
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss is a low-maintenance turfgrass, requiring little mowing or fertilization. It thrives in full sun. Cultivars struggle in shady areas and do not respond well to overwatering. Buffalograss creates a sparse appearance and is vulnerable to weeds.
\n\n\n\n![\"Fine](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Fine-Fescue.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nFine fescues are a group of turfgrass cultivars that require less fertilization and irrigation than other cool-season grass types. Many homeowners mix fine fescue with other grasses like Kentucky bluegrass to create a dense and resilient lawn.
\n\n\n\nFine fescue is a clumping grass with a fine texture. It is a superb choice for small lawns. Specimens do not tolerate heavy foot traffic. Many varieties, like hard fescue and creeping red fescue, thrive in areas with hot summers and cold winters.
\n\n\n\nOnce established, fescues are low-maintenance. They establish quickly, are drought resistant, cold-tolerant, and grow well in poor soil conditions. Fine fescue is the most shade-tolerant of the cold-season grass types.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Often used in a mix with other cool-season grasses, especially in sun/shade mixes
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Kentucky_Blue_Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pilot138-17 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is the most popular cool-season turfgrass in Wyoming. Cultivars are dense and blue-green and thrive in full sun. Kentucky bluegrass tolerates partial shade and has good heat tolerance with the right irrigation.
\n\n\n\nIt grows best in the mild temperatures of fall and spring and goes dormant during the summer. The cool-season turfgrass is hardy and recovers quickly from damage, making it a good option for a backyard that gets plenty of foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nMany homeowners combine Kentucky bluegrass with other cool-season cultivars to create a dense and resistant home lawn. Cultivars are fairly high-maintenance with high water and fertility needs. Kentucky bluegrass requires regular mowing and dethatching.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: It is most often mixed with other species. Regular watering is necessary because of its shallow roots. Poor soil conditions and lack of water can cause diseases, but newer cultivars are more hardy and resistant to disease.
\n\n\n\n![\"Long](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: manfredrichter / Pixabay / License
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass is low-maintenance and thrives in areas with good drainage. It is a dense, dark green grass that stands up to heavy foot traffic. It is resistant to pests and tolerant of poor soil.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass does not withstand high temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, going dormant during hot summers. Its roots establish quickly, and it has a long growing season. Perennial ryegrass is often used for winter overseeding on golf courses and athletic fields.
\n\n\n\n![\"Tall](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tall-Fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
\n\n\n\nTall fescue is a deep‑rooted bunchgrass that thrives in full sun but is shade tolerant and cold-resistant. It has a coarse texture with a medium to dark green color and an extensive root system.
\n\n\n\nHybrid varieties offer a more aesthetically pleasing color and texture for home lawns. Unfortunately, many varieties require overseeding with perennial ryegrass for a dense appearance. Additionally, many homeowners mix tall fescue with Kentucky bluegrass for a more dense and resilient lawn.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue remains green during the winter and is the most heat-tolerant cool-season grass, thanks to its deep roots. Cultivars are resistant to weeds and insects and adapt to most soils.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Fertilize in September and November. Plant fresh grass seeds every couple of years to maintain a dense lawn and fill thinning spots.
\n\n\n\nLoam soil with a balance of sand, silt, and clay is the best soil type for home lawns. Loamy soils drain well, retain nutrients, and allow vital oxygen to reach plant roots.
Wyoming soils are deep, rocky, and overly drained, leaching vital nitrogen. It is important to have your soil tested annually with your local University of Wyoming extension office. Primarily, Wyoming soils require fertilizer high in nitrogen.
Groundcovers are a group of low-growing, spreading plants that make a great, low-maintenance turfgrass replacement. Some great options for your Wyoming landscape include:
● Breckland Thyme
● Creeping Phlox
● Myrtle
● Stonecrop
● Yarrow
When designing your landscape, consider using Wyoming native plants to create a low-maintenance and drought-resistant landscape.
\n\n\n\nBefore choosing a grass type for your lawn in Wyoming, you will want to consider:
\n\n\n\nYard work in Wyoming can feel like thankless work when there are so many chores to complete. Let Wikilawn connect you with a local lawn care pro to take care of your yard chores, so you can spend more time enjoying your outdoor space.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: espiegle / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"5 Best Grass Types for Wyoming","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/1789c/wyoming-landscape-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/107df/wyoming-landscape-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/293e9/wyoming-landscape-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/f2cbb/wyoming-landscape-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/1789c/wyoming-landscape-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/c26c2/wyoming-landscape-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/1dd6e/wyoming-landscape-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/67b76/wyoming-landscape-1.webp 320w,\n/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/8df11/wyoming-landscape-1.webp 500w,\n/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/98a65/wyoming-landscape-1.webp 800w,\n/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/1dd6e/wyoming-landscape-1.webp 960w,\n/static/2f06dea00c75aa632dbd832a3f3197ac/3cc96/wyoming-landscape-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"5 Best Grass Types for Wyoming | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover the 5 best grass types for Wyoming's climate. From drought-resistant varieties to cold-weather options, find the perfect grass for your landscape."}}},{"node":{"id":"e8b5c6f2-0d05-5c19-abd1-95b7678080fd","slug":"drought-resistant-landscaping-ideas-for-wyoming","path":"/lawn-care/wyoming/drought-resistant-landscaping-ideas-for-wyoming/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Lydian Pine is a creative writer and studio artist whose work first debuted in a short story anthology. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2020 and enjoys video games, theatre, and swimming. Lately, she has started to study entomology as a hobby.","name":"Lydian Pine","id":"3478d9b1-e85b-5e4a-860b-443c62d1e29c","path":"/author/lydian-pine/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f31ce7919bd939bc1f102cee2f3304d2?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"01f78449-8135-5644-8596-d22109013057","name":"Wyoming","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/wyoming/"}],"date":"June 6th, 2023","excerpt":"We rarely compare Wyoming to South Africa or Mongolia, but all three steppe locations have almost identical climates and soil. Wyoming’s arid climate requires drought-resistant landscaping to reduce irrigation strains. We have gathered 9 drought-resistant landscaping ideas for your Wyoming landscape to help conserve water and create a low-maintenance oasis. In this article, we will […]
\n","content":"\nWe rarely compare Wyoming to South Africa or Mongolia, but all three steppe locations have almost identical climates and soil. Wyoming’s arid climate requires drought-resistant landscaping to reduce irrigation strains. We have gathered 9 drought-resistant landscaping ideas for your Wyoming landscape to help conserve water and create a low-maintenance oasis.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we will cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDrought-tolerant landscaping requires very little water to remain green. Creating a drought-resistant, or water-efficient landscape, conserves water and reduces maintenance.
\n\n\n\nDrought-tolerant plants have adapted to arid conditions and have low watering requirements. Conserving water helps preserve the ecosystem. Most Montana native plant species are drought-tolerant options that require minimal supplemental irrigation once established.
\n\n\n\n![\"Xeriscaped](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/xeriscape-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: InCommunicado / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nXeriscaping focuses on low-maintenance landscaping with an emphasis on water conservation. The practice involves creating a beautiful home landscape that requires no watering except natural rainfall.
\n\n\n\nXeriscaping often relies on strategically placed indigenous plants that survive off rainfall, even in Wyoming’s dry, windy climate. Native plants and turfgrasses are a great water-wise option for xeriscaping your yard. They are naturally drought resistant and adapted to harsh seasonal shifts. Besides native plants, some basic steps for xeriscaping your yard include:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of xeriscaping:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Professional xeriscaping costs between $5 to $20 per square foot, depending on many factors like plant selection and the size of your yard. While upfront costs may seem high, you will save around $0.36 per square foot annually on water and maintenance costs.
\n\n\n\n![\"purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rsz_purple_coneflowers_echinacea_purpurea_19421755650-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andrew C / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nMost Wyoming native plants are perennials, bouncing back year after year, creating a low-maintenance landscape. Natives are adapted to Wyoming’s arid conditions, shifting temperatures, and local pests and diseases. Specimens are low-maintenance and attract local pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
\n\n\n\nThere are many Wyoming native plants to choose from, including:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of native plants:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Native plant prices vary widely based on many factors, including type, size, and location. On average, you can expect to spend between $15 to $50 per shrub, $5 to $50 per vine, and $200 to $1,500 per tree.
\n\n\n\n![\"Artificial](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Artificial-Turf.jpg\")
Photo Credit: 2020Noe / Pixabay / License
\n\n\n\nSome grass types are more drought-resistant than others. Wyoming’s harsh climate requires a cool-season, drought-tolerant turfgrass that can survive the cold winters. Wyoming’s climate is classified as arid and continental, with extreme sunlight and shifting temperatures.
\n\n\n\nDrought-resistant Wyoming grasses include:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of drought-resistant turfgrass:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Professional seeding or re-seeding typically costs between $700 to $1,850, depending on the size of your lawn and the seed cultivar you select. If you opt for sod installation, which takes less time to mature, you can expect to spend between $6,650 to $13,700.
\n\n\n\n![\"Mulch](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mulchy-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: eyecrave / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nMulching is a low-cost DIY job and essential to xeriscaping. Mulch helps plants keep moisture and protects their roots from extreme temperatures. There are two types of mulch: organic and inorganic mulch.
\n\n\n\nOrganic mulch adds beneficial nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. Inorganic mulches are more durable and low-maintenance but do not offer additional nutrients. It is important to note you will need to replace organic mulches like wood chips annually with a fresh layer.
\n\n\n\nSome examples of mulch are:
\n\n\n\nOrganic mulch:
\n\n\n\nInorganic mulch:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of mulch:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Mulch costs between $15 to $75 per cubic yard or around $2 to $6 per bag.
\n\n\n\n![\"leaks](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Irrigation_drip_leaks.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Sciencehacker / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nDrip irrigation lines conserve water and are more efficient than traditional sprinklers, rotating sprayer heads, or garden hoses. Drip irrigation systems slowly deliver water directly to plant roots. They are installed underground or on the soil’s surface.
\n\n\n\nExperts can retrofit your existing automatic sprinkler system for drip irrigation. For a portable option, opt for a soaker hose you can move from bed to bed.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of drip irrigation:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Professional drip irrigation installation costs between $1.50 to $4.75 per square foot. Installing a drip irrigation system in a 500-square-foot zone typically costs between $750 to $2,400.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rain-barrel.jpg\")
Photo Credit: zerocattle / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nHarvest rainwater for later use by installing a rain barrel station on your landscape. Place the rain barrel beneath a downspout. Many homeowners blend the rain barrel into the surrounding landscape by decorating the area with plants or rocks.
\n\n\n\nFor every inch of rain that falls on one square foot of your roof, your rain barrel harvests 0.6 gallons of water. A rain barrel system attached to a 100-square-foot roof collects up to 60 gallons of water after one inch of rain.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of a rain barrel system:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: A 50-gallon rain barrel typically costs between $100 to $150, depending on the material.
\n\n\n\n![\"Rain](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/52313269453_df788863db_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Alabama Extension / Flickr / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nRain gardens are small, shallow depressions that contain deep-rooted native plants. They are not only attractive but also conserve water. Rain gardens lower the risk of flooding and provide erosion control by reducing runoff. They naturally capture stormwater and filter out pollutants.
\n\n\n\nSome popular rain garden Wyoming plants include:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of a rain garden:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: A DIY rain garden costs between $3 to $5 per square foot, while professional installation costs between $10 to $20 per square foot.
\n\n\n\n![\"Rock](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/28197524409_9c17d5a099_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Antífama / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nInstall stones and rocks to create an elegant rock garden or pathways. This simple DIY job does not have to cost a penny. Rock gardens are a great way to show off native Wyoming elements. Accentuate your rock garden with ornamental plants, water features, and more.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of a rock garden:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Rock garden installation costs between $400 to $1,000, depending on the size and materials.
\n\n\n\n![\"landscape-path-pathway-grass-lawn-walkway\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_landscape-path-pathway-grass-lawn-walkway-1149050-pxherecom.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nTurfgrass requires a lot of water to remain green. Limiting the turfgrass area of your landscape reduces its overall watering requirements. Consider replacing sections of your grass with sustainable hardscaping elements.
\n\n\n\nHardscapes are man-made features, including:
\n\n\n\nHardscapes do not require watering, pruning, or mowing. In fact, they don’t require maintenance at all except for an annual cleaning. Be prepared. Hardscapes are an expensive upfront investment, but they increase your home’s value and curb appeal.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of hardscapes:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Be prepared to spend around $7,500 for a new deck, $4,000 for a patio, $850 for a fire pit, and $3,000 for a flagstone walkway.
\n\n\n\nSome strategies to minimize water usage in your landscape include:
● Install efficient irrigation, including drip lines and a smart controller with a rain sensor
● Group plants with similar watering needs
● Mulch your flower beds to reduce evaporation
● Practice good soil management techniques to improve moisture retention
Many established drought-tolerant plants can survive for several months without water. Factors affecting your plant’s ability to survive long drought periods include:
● Plant species
● Climate
● Soil type
● Plant health and maturity
The first step to a healthy, drought-tolerant landscape is good soil management practices. Follow some of these tips to help maintain healthy plant roots:
● Send a soil sample in for testing annually
● Add compost and organic matter to increase fertility and drainage
● Apply mulch
● Practice proper watering to avoid under or over watering
● Reduce soil erosion with windbreaks, retaining walls, or specialized plants
● Minimize chemicals
Yard work in Wyoming can feel like thankless work when there are so many chores to complete. Let Wikilawn connect you with a local lawn care pro to take care of your yard chores, so you can spend more time enjoying your outdoor space.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Pancaketom / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"9 Drought-Resistant Landscaping Ideas for Wyoming","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/1789c/devils-tower-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/107df/devils-tower-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/293e9/devils-tower-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/f2cbb/devils-tower-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/1789c/devils-tower-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/c26c2/devils-tower-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/1dd6e/devils-tower-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/67b76/devils-tower-1.webp 320w,\n/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/8df11/devils-tower-1.webp 500w,\n/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/98a65/devils-tower-1.webp 800w,\n/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/1dd6e/devils-tower-1.webp 960w,\n/static/6a7ae9732b5e2e9d1deb237aa6056138/3cc96/devils-tower-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"9 Drought-Resistant Landscaping Ideas for Wyoming | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Create beauty and sustainability in your Wyoming yard with drought-resistant landscaping ideas that thrive in water scarcity."}}},{"node":{"id":"9cb6cb3a-49dc-53d2-90c0-41ba85f7f475","slug":"best-native-plants-for-massachusetts","path":"/lawn-care/ma/best-native-plants-for-massachusetts/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nicki DeStasi is a writer, author, and teacher who grew up in western Massachusetts and currently resides in the Austin area. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, reading, cooking, listening to true-crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband, two children, dog, and cat.","name":"Nicki DeStasi","id":"ffbf62e2-d627-5a5f-a041-4eaa9ac66924","path":"/author/nicki-destasi/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9846092d7afb2db8d0a4daa2454074f0?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"33c4a526-c6f7-5d9e-96d4-d1803a4d03b7","name":"Massachusetts","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ma/"}],"date":"June 6th, 2023","excerpt":"Massachusetts may be one of the smallest states in the union. But with its rich history, an abundance of universities, and breathtaking fall foliage, this state has got it going. And don’t forget about the native plants. From wildflowers to perennial trees, the Bay State has tons of beautiful native plants. So if you want […]
\n","content":"\nMassachusetts may be one of the smallest states in the union. But with its rich history, an abundance of universities, and breathtaking fall foliage, this state has got it going. And don’t forget about the native plants. From wildflowers to perennial trees, the Bay State has tons of beautiful native plants. So if you want a stunning landscape, choose one of these 12 best native plants for Massachusetts.
\n\n\n\nChoosing native Massachusetts plants for your landscape has several benefits, including:
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen Red Sox spring training rolls around, you should start thinking about which plants you want in your garden. Here are 12 of the best native plants for your Massachusetts landscape:
\n\n\n\n![\"Wild](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/beach-plum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: KenWiedemann / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nPart of the rose family, the beach plum naturally grows along the East Coast – from New Brunswick down to Virginia. It prefers the salty soil near the beach but happily grows further inland into western Massachusetts. You can propagate it from soft-wood clippings, but it also can be grown from seed using cold stratification.
\n\n\n\nThis dense, rounded shrub with glossy, dark green leaves attracts various pollinators, including bees. Blooming from April through June, it produces small, white flowers that can be single or double. These flowers have multiple long anthers, giving them a somewhat fuzzy appearance. And from August to October, the shrub produces dull purple to crimson fruits that attract wildlife.
\n\n\n\n![\"Black](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/black-chokeberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Stefan Sutka / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nA small and mound-shaped shrub, the black chokeberry has dark green, finely toothed leaves that turn a vibrant crimson in the fall. From March to June, the shrub produces five-petaled white flowers with pink anthers, followed by blackish-purple berries. The black chokeberry features multiple stems adorned with reddish-brown bark. This suckering plant tends to produce multiple base shoots, which require regular trimming to maintain its desired shape.
\n\n\n\nNative to regions east of the Mississippi River, excluding Florida, the black chokeberry thrives in its natural habitat. While its berries are too tart to be consumed raw, they can be cooked to create jams, jellies, and even wine. If you want to cook these berries, harvest them as soon as they ripen, or birds will steal them.
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Butterfly-Milkweed-Asclepias-tuberosa-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nA staple in many home gardens, the butterfly weed has a distinct yet beautiful flower structure. Its petals gracefully arch backward, creating a stunning display that showcases the vibrant center. While the flowers are typically bright orange, some varieties produce red or yellow blooms.
\n\n\n\nAlso known as pleurisy root or orange milkweed, butterfly weed finds its roots in the New England region, stretching all the way down to Florida. It attracts butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, native bees, bumble bees, and honey bees. Note, though, that butterfly weed attracts aphids and ladybugs. But they can be removed with a soapy water spray.
\n\n\n\n![\"dark](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/American_elderberry_Sambucus_canadensis1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Rison Thumboor / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThe common elderberry is an interesting large shrub with many long thin shoots that sprout from the base. A very fast grower, it will need to be pruned regularly. The leaves are flat, egg-shaped, narrow-toothed, dark green, and up to 12 inches long. Its tiny white clustered flowers bloom from May to July before becoming black to dark purple berries in late summer.
\n\n\n\nElderberry shoots were used to craft flutes by boring the spongy white center. Later, Native Americans used the plant for several medicinal purposes. And today, it’s used to make jelly and wine. This perennial shrub attracts butterflies, bees, birds, small mammals, and deer. It grows best from cuttings but can grow from sulfuric-acid-treated seeds.
\n\n\n\n![\"Eastern](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/eastern-bluestar.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andyworks / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nAs the common name suggests, eastern bluestar is notable for its five-petaled, star-shaped, tubular blue or purple flowers. The lance-shaped dark green leaves turn golden yellow in the fall. It’s native to the Southeast, from Massachusetts down to Florida. They typically grow from seeds but won’t flower until the second year.
\n\n\n\nAlso called blue dogbane, eastern bluestar provides the perfect habitat for beneficial fauna. Blooming from March to May, the flowers provide a nectar source for carpenter bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and moths. Moreover, it’s resistant to most pests, diseases, and deer.
\n\n\n\n![\"Ripe](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/highbush-blueberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PatrikStedrak / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nOne of nearly 150 species, the highbush blueberry has an abundance of stems and thin green and red branches that create a sizable dense shrub. In the early spring, leaves blossom with a reddish-green hue that turns blue-green in early summer and red, yellow, orange, and purple in fall. The white or pink, dangling, bell-shaped flower clusters bloom from March through June.
\n\n\n\nIn late July through mid-August, yummy blueberries will ripen for the picking. Plant it in your shade garden so you and your loved ones can pick the berries to munch on or add to your favorite baked good or treat. The highbush blueberry supports wildlife – deer and rabbits eat the twigs and leaves, while birds, bears, and small mammals eat the berries.
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/new-england-aster-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: pxfuel
\n\n\n\nNew England aster is a big aggressively-growing flowering plant with a dense array of hairy, clasping leaves on thick stems. The abundance of bright, beautiful flowers has orange-yellow centers that bloom from the ends of the leafy branches. Its flowers vary in color, from blue or lavender to pink or white, and blooms from August to November or until the first frost.
\n\n\n\nThis perennial is a host to several butterfly larvae species, while its nectar attracts bees, butterflies, and moths. This plant repels most pests but attracts beetles and is susceptible to powdery mildew. Its edible flowers can be used in salads or teas.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, the stems and roots of New England aster have medicinal properties. They can be made into poultices, with the root being used for diarrhea and fever and the whole plant for respiratory issues.
\n\n\n\n![\"New](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/new-jersey-tea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Silviu Carol Cenusa / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nA low-growing shrub, New Jersey tea has small green, spade-shaped leaves and 2-inch oval flower heads. Its tiny white flowers bloom in March and April. However, young leaves are grayish, giving the plant a smoky hue. While the base is woody, the upper portion is herbaceous with lovely spreading branches.
\n\n\n\nAs its name suggests, the dried leaves of this deciduous shrub make an excellent decaffeinated tea. During the Revolutionary War, it was popular for treating fevers, asthma, bronchitis, and coughs. This nitrogen-loving plant’s nectar attracts bees and butterflies, and its seeds attract turkeys and quail.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pearly-Everlasting.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Franco Folini / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nExcept in the Southeast, pearly everlasting grows throughout the United States and Canada. The bushy, cottony clusters of small white flowers with yellow centers grow at the top of the stem, which is decorated with long narrow green leaves with wooly-white undersides. They’re often used as supporting characters in flower arrangements.
\n\n\n\nPearly everlasting is a popular flower for pollinators, particularly the painted lady butterfly, which uses the plant as a host for its eggs. Medicinally, it has many uses, such as tea for excessive mucus, sore throat, and wet cough, and poultices for stiff, rheumatic joints, wounds, and blisters. It’s also used for digestive issues, including ulcers, food poisoning, and diarrhea.
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Red_maple_leaves.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Heng Wang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nRed Maple is a popular ornamental tree in North America due to its breathtaking fiery fall color. In spring, leaves bud red before maturing to dark purplish green. In the fall, they turn shades of yellow, orange, and purple. The leaves are 3 or 5 lobed, separated by V-shaped angles. Seeds are encased at one end of a paper-thin wing that becomes helicopter-like when they fall.
\n\n\n\nA young red maple has smooth silvery bark that ages into a dark gray with vertical cracks. This shade-giving tree is a great shelter and food source for birds, squirrels, rabbits, and deer. The hardy, quickly-growing red maple is popular in lumber production due to its smooth grain pattern, durability, and light, creamy color.
\n\n\n\n![\"Spotted](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/spotted-wintergreen.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Holcy / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nEndangered in Canada, Illinois, and Maine, the spotted wintergreen is found in mesic habitats of the Eastern United States and Canada. The evergreen sword-shaped leaves are dark green with white veins. It has small clusters of round, drooping, waxy flowers atop the stem. Blooming from June to August, its flowers are white but sometimes have a pink, blue, or purple hue.
\n\n\n\nA member of the shinleaf family, spotted wintergreen has a delicate smell rather than a minty one. Its leaf tea can treat gallstones, kidney stones, rheumatism, inflammation, and stomach problems. Crushed leaves can create a poultice for sores and wounds. The herb attracts insect pollinators, primarily bumblebees, but is deer resistant.
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/800px-Lonicera_sempervirens_close_up_bloom.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Biosthmors / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThe trumpet honeysuckle is an excellent climbing or groundcover vine, perfect for trellises and arbors. Semi-evergreen leaves are smooth, glossy ovals with short pointed tips. Above the leaves are two to four showy, trumpet-shaped flowers with red outsides and yellow insides. With an orange-brown papery bark, this vine blooms from March through June and produces red berries.
\n\n\n\nThe trumpet honeysuckle’s nectar attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while the berries attract various birds. Its berries can cause an upset stomach, but the leaves have several medicinal uses – chewed leaves for bee stings, smoked for asthma, or tea for sore throat and cough.
\n\n\n\nThe Bay State may be small, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t diverse. With the ocean on one side and the Appalachian Mountains on the other, planting conditions can have significant differences within a few miles.
\n\n\n\nKnowing that the USDA hardiness zone in Massachusetts ranges from 5a to 7a can help you decide which plants to choose. But if you want native plants to thrive on your landscape, you must understand your lawn’s microclimate, including soils, average rainfall, and temperatures.
\n\n\n\nIn the eastern coastal regions, a wealth of native plants thrives, adapting to the unique blend of sea breezes, wetlands, and well-drained soils. Embrace the coastal beauty by incorporating beach roses, bayberry, and seaside goldenrod into your garden. These resilient plants are accustomed to the challenges posed by salty air, sandy soil, and the following factors:
\n\n\n\nCentral Massachusetts offers a diverse landscape with rolling hills, forests, and fertile soils. Native plants that flourish in this region include mountain laurel, flowering dogwood, highbush blueberry, and red maple. Embrace the natural charm of the area by considering the following factors:
\n\n\n\nAs you venture westward, the landscape of Massachusetts transitions to picturesque mountains, lush valleys, and pristine woodlands. Native species like sugar maple, eastern hemlock, northern maidenhair fern, and mountain ash find their home in this region. Embrace the majestic beauty of western Massachusetts by taking into account the following factors:
\n\n\n\nWhile there are differences between Eastern and Western Massachusetts soils, most of it is Paxton soil – named after the town of Paxton (just north of Worcester). Paxton soil is coarse sandy loam with mineral deposits from various rocks, primarily schist, gneiss, and granite. It’s also loaded with rocks–great for drainage but challenging for landscaping.
\n\n\n\nAlthough you may live in one region, several factors, like construction, prior treatments, or weather, can make your soil different from the surrounding ground. The only way to understand your soil type and, therefore, the best native plants for your garden is to have your soil tested.
\n\n\n\nWhile waiting for your results, discover the best grass seed for your Massachusetts lawn and when to plant it.
\n\n\n\nThe ideal time to plant flowers in Massachusetts depends on the type of flowers you wish to plant. Massachusetts experiences a range of climates, with varying temperatures and frost patterns across the state. Generally, the planting season for flowers in Massachusetts begins in late spring and extends through early fall.
Here are some guidelines based on the different categories of flowers:
● Annuals: Annual flowers, such as petunias, marigolds, and zinnias, should be planted after the danger of frost has passed, typically in late May or early June.
● Perennials: Perennial flowers, like coneflowers, daylilies, and hostas, can be planted in spring or fall. Spring planting allows the plants to establish their root systems before the summer heat, while fall planting gives them a head start for the following growing season.
● Bulbs: Spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, are planted in the fall, usually between September and November. On the other hand, summer-blooming bulbs should be planted in the spring.
Native plants have evolved to adapt and thrive in the local ecosystem, developing relationships with the climate, soil conditions, wildlife, and other native species. Massachusetts has tons of native plants, according to UMass Amherst. But most native plants in the Bay State have the following in common:
● Grows in acidic soil: This is crucial since all of Massachusetts has acidic soil, some areas more than others.
● Cold tolerant: With the state’s average yearly temperature of 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit, plants must be able to tolerate the cold.
● Pest and disease resistance: Native plants resist common diseases and pests because they have developed natural immunity.
● Wildlife food source: Native plants are a source of food, shelter, and nesting sites for butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife.
Choosing native plants for your Massachusetts landscape offers numerous benefits, including reduced maintenance needs, enhanced resilience to local conditions, and support for local wildlife.
Massachusetts is a welcome place for pollinators, and homeowners can choose from a lot of blooming species. The following are just a few native plants that can attract pollinators in Massachusetts:
● Serviceberry
● Rhododendron
● New England aster
● New Jersey Tea
● Swamp milkweed
● White baneberry
Always find an ethical source like nurseries and garden centers if you want native plants in your landscape. Never remove plants from the wild. Transplanting wild plants into your yard disturbs wildlife and their habitats. It also can introduce pests and diseases to your landscape.
Once your garden is bursting with beautiful native plants, don’t neglect your lawn. Whether you’re in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, Lowell, or somewhere in between, Wikilawn can connect you with a highly-rated lawn care professional to handle lawn care for you.
Main Photo Credit: OlegAlbinsky / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"12 Best Native Plants for Massachusetts","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/1789c/massachusettes-home-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/107df/massachusettes-home-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/293e9/massachusettes-home-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/f2cbb/massachusettes-home-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/1789c/massachusettes-home-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/c26c2/massachusettes-home-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/1dd6e/massachusettes-home-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/67b76/massachusettes-home-1.webp 320w,\n/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/8df11/massachusettes-home-1.webp 500w,\n/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/98a65/massachusettes-home-1.webp 800w,\n/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/1dd6e/massachusettes-home-1.webp 960w,\n/static/6dd5e489ad6317d97b1abbb7c714feff/3cc96/massachusettes-home-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"12 Best Native Plants for Massachusetts | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover the 12 best native plants for Massachusetts and why they’re key to a healthy garden and landscape."}}},{"node":{"id":"90c69ec4-f8f5-5fd8-97b7-23873bde68b8","slug":"when-to-plant-grass-seed-in-massachusetts","path":"/lawn-care/ma/when-to-plant-grass-seed-in-massachusetts/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nicki DeStasi is a writer, author, and teacher who grew up in western Massachusetts and currently resides in the Austin area. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, reading, cooking, listening to true-crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband, two children, dog, and cat.","name":"Nicki DeStasi","id":"ffbf62e2-d627-5a5f-a041-4eaa9ac66924","path":"/author/nicki-destasi/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9846092d7afb2db8d0a4daa2454074f0?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"33c4a526-c6f7-5d9e-96d4-d1803a4d03b7","name":"Massachusetts","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ma/"},{"id":"b2017967-36f8-5ac9-b071-8e4cd20e8690","name":"Uncategorized","count":1,"path":"/category/uncategorized/"}],"date":"June 6th, 2023","excerpt":"With its picturesque landscapes and prestigious institutions like Harvard and UMass, Massachusetts boasts a wealth of luscious green lawns. However, certain challenges can arise amidst this verdant beauty, from pests and diseases to unpredictable weather and irregular maintenance practices, leading to damage and the need for reseeding. To achieve a vibrant and resilient turf, it […]
\n","content":"\nWith its picturesque landscapes and prestigious institutions like Harvard and UMass, Massachusetts boasts a wealth of luscious green lawns. However, certain challenges can arise amidst this verdant beauty, from pests and diseases to unpredictable weather and irregular maintenance practices, leading to damage and the need for reseeding.
\n\n\n\nTo achieve a vibrant and resilient turf, it becomes imperative to master the art of timing – knowing when to plant grass seed in Massachusetts. By understanding the optimal windows of opportunity, you can have a thriving lawn that will be the pride of your property.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"Raindrops](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rain-on-grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Johannes Plenio from Pexels / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nIn the Bay State, the best time to plant grass seeds is early fall – specifically from late August to early September (Aug. 15 – Sept. 15). Fall offers several advantages for successful grass seed germination and establishment.
\n\n\n\nException: Zoysiagrass is the only warm-season grass that grows in Massachusetts, and it’s an exception to the fall planting rule. If you plan to use this grass type for your lawn, plant seeds after the last frost, usually in late spring or early summer. This is the optimal seed germination time for Zoysiagrass, and once grown, it thrives in hot weather.
\n\n\n\n![\"Snow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/snow-in-massachusetts-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: DenisTangneyJr / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nWhile fall is generally the most recommended time for seeding lawns, there are specific reasons why the other seasons may not be optimal for seeding. Here’s a breakdown of the challenges associated with each season:
\n\n\n\nSpring may be your second-best ideal time for planting due to milder temperatures and increased rainfall. But inconsistent weather patterns and fluctuating temperatures during these months, especially during early spring, will make you think otherwise. Plus, soil temperatures aren’t warm enough until April or May, and the air temperatures get very high by the end of May or early June.
\n\n\n\nThese conditions can make it challenging for newly seeded grass to establish strong root systems before the onset of hot summer weather. And since weeds tend to thrive during spring, they can compete with the newly germinated grass for resources and hinder its growth.
\n\n\n\nDue to cold temperatures and frost, this time of year is not suitable for seeding. If your yard is covered in snow, it would be impossible to seed your lawn. And even without snow on the ground, new seeds require consistent soil temperatures above a certain threshold for germination to occur.
\n\n\n\nMost lawns in the state have cool-season grasses, which tend to go dormant when temperatures rise. Therefore, planting in the summer leads to poor seed germination and death of the seedlings.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, the high temperatures and increased evaporation rates during this season can lead to soil drying out quickly, making it challenging to keep the seedbed consistently moist, which is essential for germination.
\n\n\n\n![\"Seed](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/seed-spreader.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jon Rehg / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nIn Massachusetts, planting grass seeds is relatively easy. For a beautiful lawn, follow these simple steps:
\n\n\n\n![\"Installing](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sod.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ikostudio / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nPlanting grass seed isn’t hard, but sometimes the seed doesn’t take, and that’s frustrating. Before you pull your hair out, try these grass seed planting tips:
\n\n\n\nOnce your lawn is established, mow it often to stimulate root and tiller growth. And remember to follow the 1/3 rule.
\n\n\n\n![\"Kingston,](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/8401010173_5c22d918a5_k-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Doug Kerr / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nMassachusetts has sandy, acidic soil, which can be a challenge for some grasses. To cut down on maintenance, choose one of the five best grass seed types for Massachusetts.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Fine-Fescue.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Paolinio / Pixabay / License
\n\n\n\nFine fescue is one of the best grass seeds you can plant on your Massachusetts lawn due to its exceptional adaptability to the region’s diverse environmental conditions. With its tolerance for shade, drought, and poor soil quality, this cool-season grass thrives in various settings. Unless temperatures soar above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, fine fescue lawns stay green all summer long.
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/5552536384_1bc90958b3_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ferran Pestaña / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nWith its exceptional durability and moderate tolerance to foot traffic, Kentucky bluegrass creates a lush, dense turf that can withstand the harsh New England winters. It can easily recover from damage and fill in bare spots. However, its short roots can make absorbing essential nutrients and water challenging, so it’s often mixed with other grass types like fescues or ryegrass.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lolium_perenne_TK_2021-06-26_1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: T. Kebert / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass creates an aesthetically pleasing turf with its fine texture and vibrant green color. It’s highly resistant to pests and diseases and boasts exceptional tolerance to cold temperatures and foot traffic. This cool-season grass has rapid germination and establishment speed, making it an excellent option for overseeding lawns. It’s also used as a companion or nurse grass to steady delicate grass types.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tall-Fescue.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nTall fescue is unique from other popular Massachusetts grass types because of its shiny, wide, ribbed, dark green coarse leaves. With its excellent cold tolerance, it can survive frigid winters. But because of its bunched growth, it’s best used as a stand-alone grass. If mixed with other grass types, your lawn becomes patchy. It may require overseeding but not dethatching.
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/zoysiagrass-3.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nWhile this warm-season grass may not be the best grass seed choice for planting in Massachusetts due to the state’s cooler climate, some homeowners still opt to use it. It thrives in regions with long, hot summers and mild winters, prefers full sun, and requires high temperatures to grow and establish properly. Hidden under snow, it will go dormant in the winter.
\n\n\n\nNot all grass seed is blue, but blue grass seed has a chemical coating. The coating helps seed germination, reduces the amount of needed water, and protects the seed from disease.
If you let the grass grow, seed heads will form at the top of a long thin stem, similar to crabgrass or wheat. Each grass type has different-looking seed heads, but they all form similarly.
Technically, yes. But while you can toss grass seeds onto your lawn, using a spreader is better for more even and successful seed distribution. Tossing seeds by hand can result in uneven coverage, leading to patchy or sparse areas of grass growth.
With a spreader, the seeds have a better chance of germinating and establishing a healthy, uniform lawn. It also helps control the amount of seed applied and prevents over-seeding or under-seeding in certain areas.
Once you’ve established your new lawn, keep it healthy by following these tips:
\n\n\n\nIf you want a healthy, robust lawn but don’t have the time to maintain it, you’re not alone. It’s hard work, so many homeowners turn to highly-rated lawn care professionals to handle lawn maintenance. Whether you’re in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, Lowell, or somewhere in between, Wikilawn can help you.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: DenisTangneyJr / Canva Pro / License
\n","title":"When to Plant Grass Seed in Massachusetts","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/1789c/harvard-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/107df/harvard-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/293e9/harvard-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/f2cbb/harvard-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/1789c/harvard-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/c26c2/harvard-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/1dd6e/harvard-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/67b76/harvard-1.webp 320w,\n/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/8df11/harvard-1.webp 500w,\n/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/98a65/harvard-1.webp 800w,\n/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/1dd6e/harvard-1.webp 960w,\n/static/4bdd245d1bc836faabf45dda5df1af29/3cc96/harvard-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"When to Plant Grass Seed in Massachusetts | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Knowing the best grass types is crucial, but you also must know when to plant grass seed in Massachusetts."}}},{"node":{"id":"9ad816e8-7548-5607-883f-27f5e0bf10e5","slug":"best-grass-seeds-new-hampshire","path":"/lawn-care/nh/best-grass-seeds-new-hampshire/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Abdul Wadood is a writer and SEO specialist from India. He recently started writing about lawns and enjoys it. In his spare time, he enjoys going on trips.","name":"Abdul Wadood","id":"236127ca-c7a6-50bb-9ab7-dd3e7e3fe6d8","path":"/author/abdul-wadood/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/395f0103c8419fd32e2c021818b78121?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"ce61d165-8da6-58e6-9252-345a1299e95e","name":"New Hampshire","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/nh/"}],"date":"June 6th, 2023","excerpt":"New Hampshire is among the snowiest states in the nation. Though the climate can be harsh in winter, it’s not impossible to have a great lawn in New Hampshire if you know the four grass seeds that thrive in this challenging climate. Good grass is the key to a lush, green, and healthy lawn. Let’s […]
\n","content":"\nNew Hampshire is among the snowiest states in the nation. Though the climate can be harsh in winter, it’s not impossible to have a great lawn in New Hampshire if you know the four grass seeds that thrive in this challenging climate.
\n\n\n\nGood grass is the key to a lush, green, and healthy lawn. Let’s take a look at the grass types that do well here.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nThere are primarily two types of grasses:
\n\n\n\nIt probably comes as no surprise that cool-season grasses are best suited to New Hampshire’s harsh winter.
\n\n\n\nLet’s take a closer look at each grass type:
\n\n\n\n![\"Backyard](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass looks beautiful with its fine-textured, dark-green grass blades, which is why it’s so popular across wide swaths of the North and Midwest. It’s also soft on bare feet.
\n\n\n\nBut if you’re considering Kentucky bluegrass, you should know that it holds up under heavy use only moderately well. It withstands kids and pets but maybe not a neighborhood soccer match. On the plus side, it recovers quickly from damage.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass isn’t a good option for people who want low-maintenance lawns as it requires regular mowing and fertilization. It’s also prone to some diseases.
\n\n\n\n![\"Man's](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red-Fescue-a-species-of-fine-fescue.jpg\")
Red Fescue – a species of fine fescue
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
Fine fescue is a highly adaptable grass that grows well in full sun and shade. It forms a lush lawn with green, fine-textured grass blades. Fine fescue is a low-maintenance grass that requires minimal watering and moderate mowing.
\n\n\n\nOn the down side, while fine fescue can handle normal outdoor usage, it doesn’t tolerate a great deal of foot traffic, and it takes time to recover from damage.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTurf-type tall fescue features dark green, coarse-textured grass blades. This grass doesn’t look great when used alone, but you can combine it with other grasses for a better appearance. Tall fescue grows best in full sun and resists disease pretty well.
\n\n\n\nTurf-type tall fescue can handle occasional backyard parties, but it can’t quickly recover from damage. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance turf, this is not it: Tall fescue requires frequent mowing and fertilization.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass germinates in less than a week, making it one of the fastest-growing grasses. It looks beautiful with fine-textured, dark green grass blades. Perennial ryegrass grows best under constant direct sunlight.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass can tolerate high foot traffic, but it takes time to recover from damages. This grass is prone to red thread and gray leaf spot. But with proper maintenance, you can minimize the damage or prevent the disease altogether.
\n\n\n\nBest Grasses at a Glance
\n\n\n\n| Grass | Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Maintenance Needs | Disease Resistance |
| Kentucky bluegrass | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fine fescue | Moderate | High | Low | Moderate |
| Turf-type tall fescue | Moderate | Low | High | Low |
| Perennial ryegrass | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High |
Fine fescue and turf-type tall fescue can handle shade.
Fine fescue can survive with minimal watering.
Fine fescue is the best option for a low-maintenance lawn.
All grasses listed here survive well in New Hampshire’s cool climate. So the next thing to consider is which grass best suits your lifestyle. Some require more maintenance than others, some handle drought better, and some stand up to the pounding of backyard barbecues and other get-togethers.
\n\n\n\nYou should also consider the rest of your landscape. If you want to add some color to your yard we recommend you invest in native plants that grow naturally in New Hampshire’s climate and can survive with little to no maintenance.
\n\n\n\nProper maintenance is critical for a lawn. If you want to enjoy a beautiful garden without breaking a sweat, Wikilawn New Hamshire lawn pros can help.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Congreve Hall / Kylejtod at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n","title":"4 Best Grass Seeds for New Hampshire","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/1789c/Congreve-Hall.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/107df/Congreve-Hall.jpg 320w,\n/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/293e9/Congreve-Hall.jpg 500w,\n/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/f2cbb/Congreve-Hall.jpg 800w,\n/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/1789c/Congreve-Hall.jpg 960w,\n/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/c26c2/Congreve-Hall.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/1dd6e/Congreve-Hall.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/67b76/Congreve-Hall.webp 320w,\n/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/8df11/Congreve-Hall.webp 500w,\n/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/98a65/Congreve-Hall.webp 800w,\n/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/1dd6e/Congreve-Hall.webp 960w,\n/static/3563138be36d1deca4e76ff133aa7cd0/3cc96/Congreve-Hall.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"4 Best Grass Seeds for New Hampshire","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"New Hampshire gets bitterly cold, but that doesn't mean you can't have a beautiful lawn. Here are four cool-season grass types that do well here."}}}],"blogPages":[{"id":"ck16oqdtd8fk70a30n2rnn4t8","metaTitle":"WikiLawn | Lawn Care Advice for your Area | Outdoor Services","metaDescription":"Lawn Care Advice for your Area | Outdoor Services"}],"prevPageLink":"/blog/page/6/","nextPageLink":"/blog/page/8/","currentPage":7}}}