![\"purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Poppy-Mallow.jpg\")
After a visit to the Myriad Botanical Gardens, you’re inspired to have a beautiful native landscape. Whether you want to add a new pop of color or do your part for the ecosystem with native plants, we’ve got you covered with the 8 best native plants for Oklahoma City. Patience is often needed when growing […]
\n","content":"\nAfter a visit to the Myriad Botanical Gardens, you’re inspired to have a beautiful native landscape. Whether you want to add a new pop of color or do your part for the ecosystem with native plants, we’ve got you covered with the 8 best native plants for Oklahoma City.
\n\n\n\nPatience is often needed when growing native plants from seeds, as some may take a couple of years before the beauty appears, but it is well worth it.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: PublicDomainPictures
\n\n\n\nPurple poppy mallow is a drought-tolerant flowering native plant. The magenta cup-shaped flowers bloom in late spring to early summer to give your garden a bright pop of color and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPurple poppy mallow does not thrive in moist soil–– ensure your soil is medium to dry and well-draining to avoid rust. The flower may self-seed if the growing conditions are favorable and can be grown as a ground cover.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flowering ground cover
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rocky, sandy, loamy, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late spring to early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to 1 foot
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Can prune in late summer if desired
\n\n\n\n![\"New](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/new-england-aster_800.jpg\")
Photo Credit: hedera.baltica / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
New England aster is another wonderful native flower for your OKC garden if you want to attract bees and butterflies. It boasts a range of colorful flowers, including purple, blue, white, and pink.
\n\n\n\nThe leaves on New England aster are rough and hairy. These flowers flourish well in moist soil with good air circulation.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy, loamy, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer, autumn
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. May require staking or other support if it grows tall. Pinch back stems before midsummer to control the plant height and produce more flowers.
\n\n\n\n![\"colorful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nIf you already have a butterfly garden or wish to have one that gets abundant sun, check out butterfly milkweed for your Oklahoma City backyard. Its bright-colored orange and yellow flowers attract not only butterflies but also rabbits. Consider metal fencing around your butterfly milkweed so a monarch butterfly can enjoy it, but the rabbits cannot.
\n\n\n\nButterfly milkweed is low-maintenance, even in the aspect of watering–– once established, butterfly milkweed only needs occasional watering and prefers dry soil.
\n\n\n\nThe downside to butterfly milkweed is that it can have invasive qualities due to large seed pods that disperse small seeds with hairs that spread with the wind. Remove ripened seed pods if you don’t want the plant to spread.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, vanilla
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to cats, dogs, livestock, and people when ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Crossvine.jpg\")
Photo Credit: gailhampshire / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nCrossvine is a vine with green leaves and trumpet-shaped yellow and orange flowers. If you were to look closely at the stems on crossvine, you would notice the crisscross pattern–– hence the name.
\n\n\n\nIf your landscape is part shade, you can still grow crossvine, but it won’t flower as much as in a full sun yard.
\n\n\n\nEnsure you plant the crossvine with abundant space–– these vines can grow an impressive 30 to 50 feet high and 6 to 9 feet wide. Crossvine is often used on fences, trellises, walls, or as a ground cover. Crossvine will move across the ground if there is not a vertical structure for it to climb up.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy, loamy, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Mocha
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Mid-spring to late summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: Climbs up to 50 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Prune to keep the desired shape
\n\n\n\n![\"Baptisia](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Baptisia-australis-Blue-False-Indigo.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nBlue false indigo is a fantastic option if you want to add some bright, beautiful color to your native garden. It is a perennial flower but can have a shrub-like appearance. As beautiful as blue false indigo may be, avoid planting it in your garden if kids or pets frequent the area–– it is mildly toxic to people and pets if ingested.
\n\n\n\nBlue false indigo has blue-purple flowers which attract bumblebees from April to July. Keep blue false indigo planted in full sun to avoid it flopping over. Good air circulation is also needed for blue false indigo to remain happy–– without it, the plant might develop a fungal disease, such as leaf spot or rust.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Upright perennial
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, sad
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: None
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to cats, dogs, livestock, and people when ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"white](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/American-Black-Elderberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nAmerican black elderberry, also known as common elderberry, is a native shrub with white flowers that bloom from May to July with dark purple fruits following the flowers in late summer. It can be grown in a location with either full sun or partial shade and moist soil with good air circulation.
\n\n\n\nAmerican black elderberry fruit is edible and full of antioxidants–– it can be used for jellies or wines, but it needs to be cooked, dried, or fermented before consuming.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 10
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Tolerates a wide variety of wet to dry soils but prefers rich, moist, slightly acid soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 5 to 8 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Raw elderberries are toxic and should not be consumed
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Regular pruning to remove suckers from the base of plant
\n\n\n\n![\"Evening](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/evening-primrose-1458681_1920_800-646x440.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nEvening primrose is a beautiful plant with four-petaled yellow flowers and a leafy stem. It is often viewed as an invasive weed because of its self-spreading seeds, but it can be a wonderful addition to your native garden with minimal work.
\n\n\n\nEvening primrose needs full sun (even though the flowers open at night), well-draining soil, and snipping of expired blooms to reduce the self-spreading of the seeds. During especially hot OKC summers, you may need to give your evening primrose some additional water.
\n\n\n\nHolistic properties have been associated with evening primrose, which is why it’s also known as the cure-all plant.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy, gravelly, medium moisture, well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Biennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Mild lemon
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early summer to early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Snip expired blooms
\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\nPurple coneflower is a common yet beautiful flower with its long-blooming, daisy-like purple flowers and a brown-colored center. It’s low maintenance but needs full sun to achieve the best blooms. A landscape with part shade can still have purple coneflower. However, they could eventually flop over.
\n\n\n\nWhile you admire this showy wildflower, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and finches will also enjoy the purple coneflower.
\n\n\n\nAn overly wet soil does not suit a purple coneflower well–– ensure to only give the plant one inch of water per week during its first growing season and only water during droughts thereafter. Fertilizers shouldn’t be used for purple coneflowers because it can cause the plant to become laggy– instead, opt for compost to provide nutrients.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Light, sweet, honey-like
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nBefore you choose native Oklahoma plants for your OKC landscape, evaluate your space — you wouldn’t want a massive native tree if you have a small space. Consider whether you want drought-resistant plants, how much maintenance you wish to perform, and how much shade your property receives.
\n\n\n\nOKC is in USDA hardiness zone 7, so ensure any other plants (native or non-native) that catch your eye fall into the correct hardiness for OKC.
\n\n\n\nThis article covers several plants that are poisonous when ingested, including blue false indigo, butterfly milkweed, and the raw berries of American black elderberry. If your kids play close by and have curious hands, you may want to avoid growing these native plants.
OKC can see frost through March or April. Most native plants have the best chance of survival if they are planted after the last frost has occurred.
Native plants require less watering, less use of fertilizers, and less use of pesticides. This is great not only for gardeners but for the environment. Pollinators such as bees and butterflies will also be attracted to many native plants.
The best view is sometimes off the beaten path–– take the scenic route during springtime, and you’re bound to see flower-lined roads with native wildflowers. Bricktown, Turner Falls, and Medicine Park all boast colorful wonders of Oklahoma’s native plants. In addition to seeing native plants along the roadways, you might also spot native plants or purchase native plants at the following locations:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you want your landscape to include more than just native plants, the best grass types for Oklahoma City can help complete your picturesque backyard oasis. Connect with a local lawn care pro to upkeep your landscape with lawn mowing, edging, and trimming.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Bill Wilson / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"8 Best Native Plants for Oklahoma City","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/1789c/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.jpg","srcSet":"/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/107df/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.jpg 320w,\n/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/293e9/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.jpg 500w,\n/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/f2cbb/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.jpg 800w,\n/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/1789c/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.jpg 960w,\n/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/c26c2/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/1dd6e/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/67b76/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.webp 320w,\n/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/8df11/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.webp 500w,\n/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/98a65/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.webp 800w,\n/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/1dd6e/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.webp 960w,\n/static/04d68339f020731a0ef0fb829d03419b/3cc96/Lawn-in-Oklahoma-City.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"8 Best Native Plants for Oklahoma City | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Oklahoma City native plants must tolerate heat, cold, and everything in between. Check out these 8 native plants that grow well in the area."}},"relatedPosts":[{"node":{"id":"854e8d74-58ed-5216-8d94-56a59594746c","slug":"10-best-vines-to-grow-in-your-garden","path":"/gardening-tips/10-best-vines-to-grow-in-your-garden/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"9d2e17fb-2d94-54d0-842f-ab7f7fc9f750","name":"Gardening Tips","count":3,"path":"/category/gardening-tips/"},{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"}],"date":"February 9th, 2019","excerpt":"Thunbergia (Black-eyed Susan) Known for its bright yellow flowers, Black-eyed Susan is an easy to grow vine. It prefers a moist but well-drained soil under bright sunlight. Black-eyed Susan can be easily trained to twine up fences, walls, pergolas, and privacy screens in a garden, deck or backyard. This lovely vine can grow up to […]
\n","content":"Known for its bright yellow flowers, Black-eyed Susan is an easy to grow vine. It prefers a moist but well-drained soil under bright sunlight. Black-eyed Susan can be easily trained to twine up fences, walls, pergolas, and privacy screens in a garden, deck or backyard. This lovely vine can grow up to 5 feet and produces attractive flowers in early or mid-fall. Some varieties also bear orange, white, blue and violet flowers.
\nPopular varieties include Thunbergia alata (yellow, orange and white flowers) and Thunbergia grandiflora (violet flowers).
\nClematis are one of the widely planted and the best vines to grow in gardens. They are popular for their attractive flowers that come in many different shades of red, pink, yellow, blue, purple and white. Clematis are usually easy to grow in a warm and sunny spot but they can tolerate spells of cold when protected from chilling winds and frost. The spring bloomers can be trained to twine up trellis and pergolas. The vine can grow up to 15 feet or more. A large number of varieties varying in size, growing habit and color of flowers are available for gardeners and horticulturists.
\nParthenocissus is a small genus of climbing vines from the family of grapes. These fast-growing plants are the best vines to grow against a wall, fence, or almost any other structure in your garden that you want to cover or hide. These clinging vines can easily attach themselves to almost any surface with abundant and beautiful foliage. Most species of Parthenocissus benefit from bright sunlight and a well-drained soil. Popular species include Parthenocissus quinquefolia (also know as Virgina Creeper) and Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy).
\n","title":"10 Best Vines to Grow in Your Garden","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Vines to Grow in Your Garden | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"4e0d8cb2-9348-5c34-9621-9affb156fa88","slug":"best-ground-covers-yard","path":"/blog/landscaping/best-ground-covers-yard/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"John Freedman","id":"2b0fdd6b-62df-527d-a469-37ab1935839b","path":"/author/joeyjoeyfarruggio-com/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85c5c4009d774dbcc0eacb7cae07960a?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"November 8th, 2019","excerpt":"Ground covers are the unsung heroes of your yard and garden. They fill in bare areas where grass won’t grow, provide us with low-maintenance areas, and give us green leaves in the winter months. They can also offer carpets of blooms that attract pollinators and bring us joy. The mastermind behind Epic Gardening, Kevin Espíritu, […]
\n","content":"\nGround covers are the unsung heroes of your yard and garden. They fill in bare areas where grass won’t grow, provide us with low-maintenance areas, and give us green leaves in the winter months. They can also offer carpets of blooms that attract pollinators and bring us joy.
\n\n\n\nThe mastermind behind Epic Gardening, Kevin Espíritu, is a huge fan of ground covers as a lawn replacement. “If you have children or pets who are likely to play in your yard, you can do a blended yard,” he says, adding, “Be mindful of both your average high temps and your low temps, and pick plants that can handle both.”
\n\n\n\nNow that you’re convinced, take a look at some of the best ground covers for sun or shade in all climates.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_SDqGc7dP9YS9F6Y3RkvK_8iO3lTYkZZZ5VNlOL6sedxdWXBAJa5RPVA6ZBfP4rVwgY6DGapir_ww-ob8xo6Y-QscKHAKscDBJmkf0xXfYAs_afx7MnbKteF8mUu2610okjWik-R\")
Bugleweed comes in dozens of varieties ranging from green to bronze, purple, and sometimes even variegated. This ornamental ground cover stands up to heavy foot traffic and is hardy to minus 40 degrees. It can thrive in full sun to part shade and presents blue-purple flowers from late spring to early summer.
\n\n\n\nThis fast-growing ground cover spends months producing white flowers and is hardy all the way down to -30 degrees. Candytuft is drought-tolerant and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s the perfect choice for sunny slopes and rock gardens.
\n\n\n\nThis perennial ground cover with chartreuse leaves is a favorite for its hardiness and attractive foliage. Creeping Jenny enjoys full sun but can tolerate part shade as long as the soil is moist. With a fountain-like growth pattern, she’s a favorite for raised flower beds and planters.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F60x8NcemcIl4tDxNhj0lfnrrohZY4EQxU2lPGir5Hb_PCrBjwPrOZw2HiuRcIgXVeOaLPzXSRaIFgAGjWeRHbVZd2I8gdtbWvHwnDXUd77Q_NEqsmUBPtUiBGpUhKG8um3oS6Xt\")
Deer resistant and cold hardy to minus 40 degrees, creeping phlox bursts into glorious bloom in spring. Best with full sun to part shade, this 6-inch-tall superstar performs well on slopes and retaining walls.
\n\n\n\nAdding stunning beauty to shaded areas, deadnettle has silvery, variegated leaves, and is hardy to minus 15 degrees. This deciduous plant offers cheerful pink flowers in late spring but dies back in winter. The only precaution to take when planting deadnettle is to make sure you’re not in an area where it’s considered invasive.
\n\n\n\nThe thyme family offers dozens of varieties of this hardy ground cover, most of which can handle temps down to minus 20 degrees. Only 3 inches tall, most varieties don’t attract deer or rabbits. Plant in full sun and enjoy a show of pink flowers in summer. and an herb for cooking all year.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Uru5bSHYQ_Bl5BvRgE0FWNnd9AMwMkHYn0XKgx7l2u1wWpnJOdVJozdHyp6T2SnGnU0uzKdbxq3Nl6v9YfumhAAW6fQTy6uVa5KxuTvF1uE7gaJMbzVY0_l-N9BnstfGoPg-BENA\")
This succulent, evergreen thrives in warm climates and can’t tolerate foot traffic or temperatures below minus 10 degrees. But on sunny, well-drained slopes, it provides beautiful texture and neon-bright, flowers from mid-summer to early fall. For high-visibility blooms and solid erosion control, ice plants are hard to beat.
\n\n\n\nThis drought-tolerant evergreen prefers part to full shade and is hardy to minus 30 degrees. The glossy, dark green leaves create a 12-inch tall mat of foliage that produces spiky white blossoms in late spring.
\n\n\n\nThis grasslike ground cover, also known as lilyturf, thrives in sun and shade (but needs moist soil) and is hardy to minus 15 degrees. Both clumping and creeping varieties erupt into spikes of purple, white, or blue flowers in late summer. Liriope makes an attractive garden edging and is good for erosion control or under trees as a substitute for grass.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8vDsC_PoUx3TzLUQu3IfExcvkoDqrJ2fWxATHrfZ9J-lI7Ot8wzZLSGGw61FF8y-VwV4xgmwMme31AaupVrYyatVrhKgQUpp7RYDNltF1M9vPDKVdsdKK62C55AkEkDUd4dkF2Kz\")
One of the most popular evergreen ground covers, periwinkle, prefers moist soil in partly shaded areas. Hardy to minus 20 degrees, periwinkle is a vigorous, vining plant that may need to be cut back every so often to keep it under control.
\n\n\n\nWhether your goal is to cover the bare spots beneath trees or to fill the negative space in your flower beds, there’s a ground cover out there for the job. Choose wisely, and your groundcover will reward you for years to come.
\n\n\n\nTop image credit: “Ajuga reptans Chocolate Chip,” David J. Stang, CC by-SA 4.0
\n","title":"Best Ground Covers for Your Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/1789c/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/107df/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.jpg 320w,\n/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/293e9/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.jpg 500w,\n/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/f2cbb/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.jpg 800w,\n/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/1789c/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.jpg 960w,\n/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/f605f/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.jpg 1000w","srcWebp":"/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/1dd6e/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/67b76/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.webp 320w,\n/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/8df11/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.webp 500w,\n/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/98a65/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.webp 800w,\n/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/1dd6e/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.webp 960w,\n/static/7b8928cb37101f2a439ec84a76a9602c/23e94/Ajuga_reptans_Chocolate_Chip_0zz-wikimedia-david-j-stang-ccsa40.webp 1000w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Best Ground Covers for Your Yard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"644212a9-909a-5b8a-8d89-c22c5562a00c","slug":"grass-paver-driveway-why-how-build","path":"/blog/landscaping/grass-paver-driveway-why-how-build/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jay Keaton is a lawn care specialist who focuses on organic pest control. His yard is filled with chrysanthemums, basil, borage, marigolds and other plants that repel bugs.","name":"Jay Keaton","id":"aa1543ca-6fab-5e4b-bd0c-12f87aa13f51","path":"/author/jay-keaton/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6abb3b96ee2a6dcce741112f06af213b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"}],"date":"October 15th, 2019","excerpt":"Forget the rules about not driving on the grass. One of the newest trends is a green driveway — where the grass and the hardscape work together to create erosion control, flood prevention, and landscaping harmony. In other words, it looks good, and it’s good for you. Here are some tips on how and when […]
\n","content":"\nForget the rules about not driving on the grass. One of the newest trends is a green driveway — where the grass and the hardscape work together to create erosion control, flood prevention, and landscaping harmony. In other words, it looks good, and it’s good for you. Here are some tips on how and when to build a grass driveway.
\n\n\n\nAs cities and signs of human sprawl grow, so does the amount of impermeable cover, such as concrete parking lots and asphalt streets. That’s what’s causing more surface and stormwater pollution, putting a strain on the water table. As the city of Houston found out in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey hit, too many hardscapes cause widespread flooding.
\n\n\n\nThe United States Geological Survey reports, “In a developed watershed, much more water arrives into a stream much more quickly, resulting in an increased likelihood of more frequent and more severe flooding. Frequent flooding causes problems for residents and also the local government, which has to clean up sand and sediment deposited after a flood.” The less impervious hardscape you have, the more places rain or flood water has to go before it reaches your home.
\n\n\n\nPavement is also responsible for the urban heat island effect. If it feels like summer in cities are getting hotter, you can thank all the impermeable surface.
\n\n\n\nOne solution at home could be a grass driveway.
\n\n\n\nGrass driveways are made with stormwater permeable pavers — essentially, pavers with holes where grass can grow through. Water runoff is absorbed into the grass and soil, not the streets and sewer system. It reduces the amount of impermeable cover around your home, making it more environmentally friendly, and lowers your risk of flooding.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/grass-paver-driveway-center-for-watershed-protection-cc20-1024x768.jpg\")
In addition to the environmental reasons, homeowners considering expanding their buildings may have reason to consider a grass driveway. Many government agencies restrict the total amount of impervious cover on individual properties. For you to get that building permit to add on a master bedroom or a new patio, you may have to reduce your impervious footprint elsewhere on the property. Grass driveways represent one way to do so.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hg23Ec8bDHP9tfpJgmqkNBqCRv0iX8u_WfcLMYCtiPk8rPWSvFWRhBKD4bO5hokj5AGv4KFlKd36zwhcPZPXUUSaxcLDkaGqzdXy528joJes04TQIXCquOAi_Xq30lwhEOkRyNpB\")
Grass pavers, also known as grow-through pavers, will cost a little more than traditional driveway pavers.
\n\n\n\nThere are plenty of advantages to using them. There are also some drawbacks.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to preventing flooding, erosion, and stormwater runoff, you’re surrounding your home with more greenery. The more green there is in your environment, the better it is for your mental health. It’s also aesthetically pleasing and looks much nicer than a traditional concrete driveway.
\n\n\n\nThe plastic pavers are durable and can support the weight of several cars, so, yes you will have drivable grass. That’s why some businesses are now using the concept for their parking lots. The paving kits offer easy installation, and unlike a concrete driveway or patio, you don’t need to hire a landscape designer for the project.
\n\n\n\nThink of grass as a thousand tiny plants. They produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. A 25-square-foot area of healthy lawn provides enough oxygen for one adult. The carbon dioxide these plants absorb helps reduce global warming.
\n\n\n\nThe major downside is the maintenance. Like your lawn, a grass driveway will need mowing, edging, weeding, watering, and fertilizing. If you don’t want to use your lawn mower on your driveway, you might consider a gravel driveway. Gravel offers some of the same permeable cover benefits, but not the environmental perks of a grass driveway.
\n\n\n\nThe impact of our hardscaped world can’t be denied. Whether it’s a riverbank worn away by erosion, or groundwater that isn’t replenished and more severe flooding, stormwater causes lots of damage. One grass strip may not change the world, but it’s one step in the right direction — and it looks good, too.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: “Driveway,” Jeremy Reding, CC-bySA-2.0
\n","title":"Grass Driveways: Why, How to Build One","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5005861664712778,"src":"/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/1789c/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/107df/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.jpg 320w,\n/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/293e9/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.jpg 500w,\n/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/f2cbb/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.jpg 800w,\n/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/1789c/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.jpg 960w,\n/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/356ef/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/1dd6e/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/67b76/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.webp 320w,\n/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/8df11/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.webp 500w,\n/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/98a65/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.webp 800w,\n/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/1dd6e/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.webp 960w,\n/static/c902518dfa7e85fe01aa3a3d87f3fef0/93f70/rsz_grass-driveway-pervious-pavers-jeremy-reding-cc20.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Grass Driveways: Why, How to Build One | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"e99b4fc3-3956-50c5-9d8c-a84f4139678a","slug":"best-native-plants-pittsburgh","path":"/lawn-care/pa/pittsburgh/best-native-plants-pittsburgh/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Cecilia Acevedo is a professional writer, translator, and mom who loves God, reading, and a good rainy nap. She combines her passion for writing with her love for the colorful world painted by her children.","name":"Cecilia Acevedo","id":"0fc0b86b-7672-540a-a0af-58a8d66c6781","path":"/author/cecilia-acevedo/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/75c4cb2a06e5f57c7018b7cb365dd82d?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"2d317bbd-578b-5162-8946-7b230bb15f85","name":"Pennsylvania","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/pa/"},{"id":"df1e282b-b8dd-56e2-b231-44dc03e8950d","name":"Pittsburgh","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/pa/pittsburgh/"}],"date":"April 1st, 2023","excerpt":"Steel City is known for its cold winters and hot summers. So, when dreaming about your perfect backyard landscape, consider the best native plants for Pittsburgh that can withstand the change of seasons. By choosing native species, you save time and money and help the ecosystem. There are several advantages of planting native species in […]
\n","content":"\nSteel City is known for its cold winters and hot summers. So, when dreaming about your perfect backyard landscape, consider the best native plants for Pittsburgh that can withstand the change of seasons. By choosing native species, you save time and money and help the ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nThere are several advantages of planting native species in your Pittsburgh backyard:
\n\n\n\nNative plants help to promote and preserve Pittsburgh’s ecosystem. Consider these 10 native plants for Pittsburgh to create a stunning backyard.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll see:
\n\n\n\n![\"Eastern](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Eastern-Redbud.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe eastern redbud is a deciduous tree that typically grows 20 to 30 feet tall. The tree is known for its striking pink or purple flowers, which bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge. It is a famous ornamental tree because of its early spring blooms and attractive heart-shaped leaves ranging from green to blue-green. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow before dropping from the tree. The bark of the eastern redbud is dark brown and slightly rough.
\n\n\n\nLike many plants, it is susceptible to insect pests and diseases like leafhoppers, caterpillars, borers, japanese beetles, treehoppers, scales, and webworms. Possible diseases that can affect it include canker, dieback, leaf spots, verticillium wilt, blights, and mildew. However, with proper care, the eastern redbuck can be a beautiful and resilient addition to a landscape.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Any moist, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Keep the soil moist to a depth of 2 to 3 inches; watering schedule depends on your soil type, but you should water about once per week
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 to 30 feet tall with a 25 to 35 foot spread
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Since this tree is not meant to transplant, it should be planted when young and left undisturbed. It needs little pruning.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-Eyed-Susan.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan is a flowering plant known for its bright yellow petals and dark brown center. It typically grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet and blooms during spring, summer, and early autumn. Black-eyed Susan is often grown as an ornamental plant in cottage and butterfly gardens and landscapes. It is also an essential source of pollen and nectar for pollinators.
\n\n\n\nWhile Black-eyed Susan is generally a hardy plant, it can be vulnerable to powdery mildew, slugs and snails.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, sand, loam, acidic, moist, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Depending on growing conditions can act as a biennial, annual, or short-lived perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring, summer, early autumn
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium. It has moderate drought tolerance
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Can self-seed freely. Black-eyed Susan can become aggressive if given too perfect an environment and insufficient competition.
\n\n\n\n![\"Virginia](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Virginia-Bluebells.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ryan Hodnett / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVirginia bluebells is a herbaceous perennial plant that produces clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are pink in bud and then gradually turn to a beautiful sky blue color. The flowers bloom in early spring and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nIt grows from seeds in the fall, overwinters as small rosettes of leaves, and then rapidly grows and flowers in the spring before going dormant in the summer. The plant spreads by self-seeding and can form large colonies over time.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Part shade to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Light, sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average. It does its best when moisture is abundant and will decline when the soil is too dry
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. This plant self-seeds, but is not easy to propagate. It should be cut back after flowering.
\n\n\n\n![\"Wild](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Wild-Geranium.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWild geranium is a herbaceous perennial plant known as wood geranium, spotted geranium, or cranesbill. It typically grows 1 to 2 feet tall and produces showy, five-petaled, pinkish-purple flowers in late spring to early summer. Its leaves are deeply lobed.
\n\n\n\nIt is a popular garden plant and is often used as a ground cover due to its ability to spread through rhizomes. Ground covers help to prevent soil erosion, outcompete and suppress the growth of weeds, and help to retain moisture in the soil.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Clump-forming flowering plant
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Semi-evergreen perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Citrus and fruity accents with a hint of rose smell
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late spring, early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium. Recently planted geraniums should be kept in moist soil during the first growing season.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Remove flower stems and old leaves to encourage the production of new leaves and flowers.
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Red-Columbine.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWild columbine is a beautiful wildflower that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and has distinctive, bell-shaped flowers with red and yellow petals. The leaves of wild columbine are delicate and fern-like, and the flowers are borne on long, thin stalks that rise above the foliage. Because of their nectar, the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Semi-evergreen perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late spring, early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average. It prefers moist soil, so don’t let the soil dry out.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. Be careful of overwatering in summer because the crowns can rot. Remove faded flowering stems to promote additional bloom.
\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\nThe New England aster is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows up to 6 feet tall and has numerous purple, pink, or violet flowers with yellow centers. The plant blooms in late summer to fall, making it a valuable late-season food source for bees and other pollinators. The New England aster is a beautiful and beneficial plant for its aesthetic and ecological qualities.
\n\n\n\nNew England aster can be susceptible to powdery mildew and aster wilt. To prevent aster wilt, it is important to plant New England aster in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer, autumn
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium. It prefers medium moisture, well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. If the plant is tall, it may require staking or other support. Pinch back stems before midsummer to promote bushiness, produce more flowers, and control the plant height.
\n\n\n\n![\"Butterfly](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Weed-Entire-Flower-Head.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Photo by Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nButterfly weed is a perennial herb that can grow up to 3 feet tall and produces clusters of bright orange or yellow flowers in the summer. The plant gets its name from its ability to attract a wide variety of butterflies, which are attracted to the nectar produced by its flowers.
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed is relatively easy to grow but requires well-drained soil and full sun. Butterfly weed is essential to monarch butterfly survival; planting it in your garden can help preserve this beautiful insect.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand. Acid, neutral. Prefers well-drained sandy soils. Performs well in poor, dry soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, vanilla, candy-like fragrance.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late spring, summer.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low. It thrives in dry to moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates drought.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to pets, livestock, and people when ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Plants can grow fast from seed but are slow to establish and may take 2 to 3 years to produce flowers.
\n\n\n\n![\"American](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/American-Holly.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dcrjsr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmerican holly is a species of evergreen tree known for its glossy green leaves, which are often used in holiday decorations. It can grow up to 50 feet tall and produces small, white flowers during spring. Bright red berries follow flowers in the fall and winter. American holly provides food for many species of birds, including cedar waxwings, robins, and blue jays. In contrast, the dense foliage provides shelter for animals such as deer and rabbits.
\n\n\n\nIt is a slow-growing tree that requires well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It can be prone to insect pests like holly leaf miners, spider mites, whitefly, and scale. It may also suffer from diseases like leaf spots, rot, tar spot, and powdery mildew, causing leaf discoloration, wilting, and overall decline. Proper care and maintenance are essential to keep it healthy.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Evergreen perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring and early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium. It will occasionally tolerate wet or dry soil but not flooding. For optimum growth, avoid poorly drained soils.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 15 to 30 feet. In moist regions, it can occasionally approach up to 60 feet.
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It may be toxic if ingested by people, cats, or dogs. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Supplemental water may be necessary for drier sands.
\n\n\n\n![\"Marsh](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Marsh-Blazing-Star.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Drew Avery / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarsh blazing star is a herbaceous perennial commonly known as dense blazing star or button snakeroot. It produces tall spikes of pink to purple flowers in the summer, highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
\n\n\n\nThe plant grows to a height of 2 to 5 feet and has narrow, grass-like leaves that grow up from the base of the plant. It is relatively low-maintenance and easy to grow from seed or transplants. It can tolerate a wide variety of soil types.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous flowering plant
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Faint smell of vanilla
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium. Intolerant of wet soils in winter.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Tall plants may need staking or other support.
\n\n\n\n![\"Aromatic](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Aromatic-Aster.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAromatic aster is a herbaceous perennial that produces clusters of small, daisy-like flowers in the late summer and fall, which range in color from pale blue to violet. The plant grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet and has narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are highly aromatic when crushed.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to its beauty, aromatic aster is valued for its ecological value. It is an important nectar source for pollinators, and its seeds are eaten by many species of birds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand. Alkaline, neutral, acidic soil. Well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Balsam-like aroma when flowers are crushed
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer, autumn
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low. It can tolerate drought
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: If the plant gets top-heavy, you can keep it thick by pruning it back by no more than half in June. After it goes dormant, wait to cut back to the basal rosette in late fall or early winter. Some support may be needed for taller plants.
\n\n\n\n![\"Black](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-birch.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bruce Marlin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlack birch can grow up to 80 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 3 feet. Black birch is known for its distinctive black, scaly bark that peels off in thin, curly strips. The leaves are dark green and oval-shaped with a pointed tip.
\n\n\n\nIn the fall, leaves change their color to a beautiful golden-yellow tone. The tree produces catkins in the spring, clusters of tiny flowers hanging from the branches. These flowers are an essential food source for bees and other pollinators.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: The inner bark of the tree has a strong wintergreen scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium. Perform best in moist soils. The use of soaker hoses and bark mulches keeps the roots moist.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 40 to 70 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. It needs little pruning. It tends to drop a lot of twigs, making it better suited for rustic areas of the landscape.
\n\n\n\nGrowing native plants in the landscape and garden can help support local biodiversity, reduce water usage, and create a beautiful and sustainable landscape. However, not all native plants are suitable for your garden, be sure to select plants suitable for the soil, sun exposure, and watering capabilities of your backyard.
\n\n\n\nPittsburgh sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 6, indicating cold winters and warm summers. Keep your zone in mind when selecting non-native plants for your landscape.
\n\n\n\nA native plant is a species that naturally occurs and evolves in a specific geographic region or ecosystem. They are adapted to that region’s climate, soil, and other environmental conditions and have often co-evolved with local wildlife. They are essential to a healthy ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nIn contrast, a non-native species is a plant that has been brought from another part of the world. These plants can negatively impact the environment, out-competing native plants, reducing biodiversity, and altering the ecological processes of the ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nThe Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has included Ravenna grass, glossy buckthorn, and common buckthorn in a list of noxious weeds. These plants cannot be legally sold or grown in the state.
\n\n\n\nIt’s not recommended to gather native plants from the wild, and in some cases, you aren’t legally permitted to. Transporting native plants is a delicate process, so experts recommend that you purchase them from a nursery certified in dealing with and handling native plants.
\n\n\n\nOther native plants of Pennsylvania include:
\n\n\n\nIf you want to enrich your Pittsburgh backyard with native plants, there are several places you can find them; local nurseries, garden centers, online nurseries, and seed companies, for example.
\n\n\n\nCheck out these plant nurseries recommended by the Native Plant Society of Pennsylvania:
\n\n\n\nConsidering native plants as the main beauty of your garden is one step closer to a final landscaping design project. Be sure to consider low-maintenance landscaping ideas and the best grass types for Pittsburgh for a healthy lawn.
If you would like to have a beautiful backyard lawn and need the help of a professional, connect with a local lawn care pro in your area.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh / GPA Photo Archive / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"11 Best Native Plants for Pittsburgh","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4962593516209477,"src":"/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/1789c/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.jpg","srcSet":"/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/107df/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.jpg 320w,\n/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/293e9/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.jpg 500w,\n/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/f2cbb/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.jpg 800w,\n/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/1789c/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.jpg 960w,\n/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/c26c2/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/1dd6e/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/67b76/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.webp 320w,\n/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/8df11/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.webp 500w,\n/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/98a65/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.webp 800w,\n/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/1dd6e/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.webp 960w,\n/static/872233a56978bd1b8bc584509631c9af/3cc96/Phipps-Conservatory-Sunken-Garden-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"11 Best Native Plants for Pittsburgh","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Choose from these 11 beautiful and eco-friendly native plant species for your Pittsburgh landscape. Discover buying locations and care tips."}}},{"node":{"id":"d51626b4-31cf-532e-a90e-587dd42960c6","slug":"benefits-xeriscaping-your-lawn","path":"/blog/landscaping/benefits-xeriscaping-your-lawn/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Kelly Holland","id":"87ed81cb-6dc6-5b6f-8673-e295fb5aa8f3","path":"/author/karen/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a7bdc84bcad759506a493dca25650999?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d4fa4848-36b3-57c3-925d-ae36e49e878f","name":"Garden Landscape","count":8,"path":"/category/garden-landscape/"},{"id":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"October 14th, 2019","excerpt":"Keeping a lawn healthy and green through the height of a hot summer, is hard enough. It gets even harder if you live in a drought-prone area such as Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, or Texas. That’s why xeriscape landscaping is so popular in those areas. Xeriscaping doesn’t mean you have to fill your yard with cacti; […]
\n","content":"\nKeeping a lawn healthy and green through the height of a hot summer, is hard enough. It gets even harder if you live in a drought-prone area such as Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, or Texas. That’s why xeriscape landscaping is so popular in those areas. Xeriscaping doesn’t mean you have to fill your yard with cacti; it just means you use plants and landscaping that needs little water. So if you’re ready to give up those water-hungry plants and lower your monthly water bill, join the crowd.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1a-vG2kR6WgTmvVLrtHGejLDqaXJP7j2caONyxpIKfaY03T4HnZ3oBoykjLVJghuVhJDwX-4j3Q65fY9n-qnuvSwzp47hMKKBDboA6msh62_4igT70m74vd0WECRDRi5yHHlR39X\")
The term “xeriscape” comes from the Greek word “xeros,” meaning dry. Denver Water, the city’s utility service, coined and copyrighted the word in the 1980s when Colorado was experiencing a worse-than-usual drought. The water department looked at the soil in most yards, (clay soil doesn’t absorb water quickly), and the types of sprinkler systems people were using. The city began by offering rebates to people who used drip irrigation and turfgrass that requires little water. You’ll notice by the front of the office, the utility practices what it preaches.
\n\n\n\n“Traditional Kentucky bluegrass is lush and hardy, but it requires a substantial amount of water in our semi-arid climate,” according to Denver Water. “One way to use less water is to reduce the amount of bluegrass turf in your landscape. Native or low-water-use plants, patios, decks, or mulches can beautify your landscape while saving water. Also, try planting turf such as buffalo grass, blue grama grass, turf-type tall fescue, and fine fescues to reduce water use in your landscape.”
\n\n\n\nThe North Marin Water District, which provides water to Novato and other communities just north of San Francisco, offers a “Cash for Grass” program that pays rebates to customers who remove lawns and plant approved low-water plants instead. In 2019, almost 15,000 square feet of turfgrass were converted.
\n\n\n\nThe district also saw xeriscaping as a way to stop people from fertilizing their lawns and gardens. Native plants and grasses are adapted to the soil, so they need few amendments. What little they need can be provided by grass clippings and other organic matter … things that won’t harm the ocean or waterways.
\n\n\n\nAs long as you’re making your lawn water-wise, go a step further and make your garden more efficient. Plant drought-resistant plants such as agave, juniper, yarrow, and lavender. Many herbs and spices are also drought-tolerant, such as thyme, sage, and oregano. The native and drought-tolerant plants will also attract local wildlife and pollinators to your garden.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZEhlju3G6ZCAaw6jn0gF2iZIqU1ztxS2JYJ6ajV9qWS-KrBC-xAfbEPjHrfGxAVLpjz0WqDPWLQqTkfa_foDgJQcwANxKrtTtNGVAQxl5yDwbCgOuaV0Z-am26dM57JqO8OkkT2L\")
If you’re ready to take the plunge and xeriscape, don’t rush out and dig up all your flowers and turf. Start by mapping out your yard, noting where the shade trees are and which areas get the most sun. It’s also a good idea to see how much rainfall your yard gets in a typical year. You want plants that will thrive with the water nature provides.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re not crazy about drought-tolerant grasses, consider a rock garden or mulched border around your patio and yard. Mulching around trees and plants helps keep moisture from absorbing. Plant ground covers around sloped areas to prevent any water from running off. While a completely hardscaped backyard may sound appealing, check with your city or county. Some municipalities, including Austin, Texas, require a percentage of your land to be landscaped, to prevent rainwater from pouring into the street.
\n\n\n\nThe Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as much as 50% of irrigation water usage is wasted. By opting for a xeriscaped yard, you can save hundreds of gallons of water from being squandered over just one scorching summer. So go ahead and plant a cactus and other succulents. Your lawn will look sharp for years to come.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Downtowngal, CC-by SA-3.0
\n","title":"Benefits of Xeriscaping Your Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.549636803874092,"src":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1789c/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/107df/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 320w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/293e9/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 500w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/f2cbb/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 800w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1789c/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 960w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/356ef/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1dd6e/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/67b76/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 320w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/8df11/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 500w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/98a65/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 800w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1dd6e/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 960w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/93f70/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Benefits of Xeriscaping Your Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"9d256264-8504-58ac-af46-368e0f705194","slug":"native-plants-seattle","path":"/lawn-care/wa/seattle/native-plants-seattle/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"LaShonda Tucker is a freelance writer, poet, and spoken word artist in Atlanta. She earned her masters from the University of Georgia and enjoys playing her violin.","name":"LaShonda Tucker","id":"f7fdb6d3-a89a-5295-963a-aac47afa7cee","path":"/author/lashonda-tucker/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce61747b62dbfb82f56a8611f2835988?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"c6d9bd8a-28b0-5293-8a0f-89910712d2d9","name":"Seattle","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/wa/seattle/"},{"id":"7987b7f7-662d-55d4-9011-4af5647aa2dd","name":"Washington","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/wa/"}],"date":"April 17th, 2023","excerpt":"Some may say Seattle has two seasons: wet and dry. You can enjoy the multiple walking trails at Washington Park Arboretum, or, when the relentless drizzles kick in, duck inside and explore the retail shops at Pike Place Market. But unlike you, your yard cannot duck inside to avoid the humidity, rain, or summer drought-like […]
\n","content":"\nSome may say Seattle has two seasons: wet and dry. You can enjoy the multiple walking trails at Washington Park Arboretum, or, when the relentless drizzles kick in, duck inside and explore the retail shops at Pike Place Market. But unlike you, your yard cannot duck inside to avoid the humidity, rain, or summer drought-like conditions that define Seattle. You need plants that can handle these conditions. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best native plants for Seattle.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll want a yard full of plants that are adapted to the Pacific Northwest climate. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of plant types native to Seattle.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pexels-marek-kupiec-10178701-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels
\n\n\n\nPacific bleeding heart’s trademark is its delicate-looking, heart-shaped pink or white flowers. It’s also called fern-leaf bleeding heart because of its fern-like foliage.
\n\n\n\nIf your yard is visited by local forest dwellers, these hearts are a good idea; they’re rabbit and deer resistant. Pacific bleeding hearts are a great choice for borders and cottage or shade gardens. But be careful if you have skin allergies, the leaves can cause irritation.
\n\n\n\nWith that caveat in mind, cover up with gloves and other protective gear, plant these bleeding hearts, and watch as they attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other birds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade. Thrives in partial shade. Tolerates full shade, but less flowers will bloom.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: None
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late spring to early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans and animals. Causes sickness when ingested and is a possible skin irritant.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/800px-Mahonia_aquifolium.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Meggar / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nIf you have pets or small children, the toxic properties of the pacific bleeding heart may cause concern. No worries. The tall Oregon grape is not only deer-resistant and low maintenance like the bleeding heart, it’s non-toxic and has medicinal uses, too. It treats skin diseases and is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
\n\n\n\nThe tall Oregon grape, also called the Oregon grape holly, adds color to any home. Its bright yellow flowers greet you in the spring and its purplish-blue berries beckon you in the summer. Pollinators feast on the flowers, while wildlife and birds come around for a taste of the edible berries that look like small grapes. Plant the tall Oregon grape in groups in woodland or shade gardens.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 5 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial shade to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, acidic, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Honey
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6 to 8 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/15037160035_4ed81031c8_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Rusk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAre you undecided on whether you want a bushy shrub or a small tree? Vine maple is a people-pleaser. On one hand, it can be a large spreading shrub. On the other, it sometimes develops into a moderately-sized tree. Remove branches close to the ground to promote tree-like growth.
\n\n\n\nThe vine maple will even offer you a variety of colors. Its bark is reddish-green with bright green leaves. The fall ushers in orange and red-hued foliage. Small purple and white flowers arrive in the spring. The berries that soon follow draw mammals and songbirds.
\n\n\n\nVine maple thrives in moist and cooler climates like that of Seattle. If your yard is shaded, vine maple will be a loyal companion. This shrub is a wonderful choice for a shady border or patio tree.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Small tree, shrub
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, sand, clay, moist, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: None
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 15 to 30 feet, sometimes reaching up to 40 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/8090352658_f3dbbefe27_c-1-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: brewbooks / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nWild ginger is a Seattle favorite because it thrives in wet winter conditions. It has glazed, heart-shaped leaves and deeply red-colored, three-pronged flowers that emerge around late spring and early summer. The flower’s end forms a tail. Although wild ginger smells like ginger when crushed, it’s not the spice you find on the racks at the grocery store.
\n\n\n\nWild ginger loves shade, so it will work well on a property that doesn’t get much sun – that is, if you don’t mind a few extra creepy crawlers in your yard. Wild ginger is pollinated by ground beetles and ants. This ground cover is often used in woodland gardens and under shrubs.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Evergreen ground cover
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 4 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full or partial shade, no direct sunlight
\n\n\n\nSoil: Fertile, organic matter
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Leaves when crushed have a lemon-ginger smell
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Must stay moist
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6-10 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Caution is advised. Do not ingest.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/48267568732_29cdb6a664_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mount Rainier National Park / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nSalal is also called Shallon, and is a great choice if you love to see color in your plants in the winter. The leaves turn a red-purplish color when it’s cold. Salal is an attention-seeker, as it is high maintenance and needs pruning immediately after it flowers. But its edible and medicinal properties may make it well worth the effort.
\n\n\n\nHumans and birds can eat the deep blue berries that emerge near the end of summer. And although salal’s medicinal uses are not well known, it has been used for medicinal purposes. It has anti-cramping and anti-inflammatory properties. The leaves can be applied externally to soothe insect bites and stings. Salal has been used in jams, baked goods, and as a sweetener.
\n\n\n\nUse this attractive shrub as a ground cover or border, along slopes, or in rain gardens.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial shade to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, acidic, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Smells like wintergreen
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring and summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: Grows up to 5 feet in shade and up to 3 feet in full sun.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: High
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/30284962355_651a2441c9_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bureau of Land Management / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nCommon camas is usually called by the short version of its common name, camas. The leaves are long and grass-like. Around the end of spring to the beginning of summer, sky-blue petaled flowers blossom. For best results, plant camas in the fall and give it plenty of water while it’s growing.
\n\n\n\nThis wildflower attracts beetles and bumblebees, and is perfect when planted in groups in cottage gardens and borders.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flowering plant/wildflower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, very little shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: High organic matter with good drainage; tolerates seasonally moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Spicy; Smells like molasses when boiled
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late spring to early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average /(Natively found in moist, spring meadows that dry by late spring)
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to 30 inches
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low to medium
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/39114468694_a55e6cddd3_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Rusk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nEvergreen huckleberry showcases reddish leaves that emerge in the spring, and white flowers that sit underneath the leathery foliage. The blue or black colored berries come around in the late summer, bringing with them wildlife and birds that nibble on them for nourishment. One of the best things about this evergreen is that the berries serve as a buffet for humans, too. The berries have been used in pies, jellies, and syrups.
\n\n\n\nEvergreen huckleberry makes a great shrub border or hedge. It’s also a good choice for rain gardens. It’s considered high maintenance, but it may save you a trip to the grocery store.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Needled Evergreen
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 7 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Sun or shade; prefers partial or full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Tolerates sand, clay, and soils low in organic content; requires acidic soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Musky
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Feb to July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, Medium to wet
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 10 feet tall; grows taller in shade
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: High
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/52704209231_8c892efc77_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Knight / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nYou may have noticed these growing alongside the Cascades. The red flowering currant is also called the blood currant. Drooping, small red-petaled flowers appear and take over the shrub in the spring.
\n\n\n\nThe red flowering currant produces dark blue berries that are appreciated by humans and animals alike. The fruit has been used to make juice, pies, and jam. The red flowering currant shrub thrives well in yards with lots of sun or a little shade. This sweet, sage-rosemaryish-smelling plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Deciduous shrub
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Prefers well-drained, rocky soil but tolerates poor soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet sage-rosemary
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water the first two summers of establishment
\n\n\n\nMature height: 8 to 10 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: None known
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nAll plants are not created equal. Some may look and sound attractive, but not be suitable for most homes even if they are native plants of the Pacific Northwest, like the douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Others should not be planted close to your home because they’re highly flammable, like the eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Make sure you’re aware of the potential hazards of a plant before purchasing it.
\n\n\n\nThe best plants are those that fit well with your property’s conditions, your maintenance expectations, and your family’s lifestyle. Some questions you can ask yourself are:
\n\n\n\nAlso, consider whether you want to spend your time pruning shrubs or if you have the budget to pay someone. If you’re too busy for high-maintenance plants, salal may be a deal breaker, while the pacific bleeding heart may be a must-have.
\n\n\n\nIf you have small children or pets that may get into the vegetation, you may want to stay clear of pacific bleeding heart and indulge in a medley of red flowering currants or evergreen huckleberry.
\n\n\n\nIf you have pets, you may have concerns about plants that will make them sick. According to the Washington Native Plant Society, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (APSCA) lists several plants that can be harmful to pets. Here are five native plants harmful to dogs and cats that are most commonly found in the Seattle area:
\n\n\n\nMany plants are native to Washington, including:
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones identify which plants grow best in which areas of North America. The U.S. Department of Agriculture divides zones by average lowest winter temperatures. Knowing your area’s hardiness zone helps you identify the right plants that will thrive in Seattle.
\n\n\n\nKing County is a bit confusing, as it’s in two zones. Most of the county is in zone 8. The eastern part of the county is in zone 7. If you don’t know which zone you’re in, ask your local nursery.
\n\n\n\nUsing native plants can make your life easier. These plants already thrive in their current environment, so they take less maintenance. This saves resources and money.
\n\n\n\nNative plants need less water and require fewer pesticides and fertilizers if any. This means fewer hazardous chemicals running off into creeks and other water-supply sources.
\n\n\n\nBy choosing Seattle native plants, you can enjoy bonding with nature as you see a beautiful display of various insects, butterflies, and native wildlife flocking to a diverse buffet of vegetation.
\n\n\n\nIf you’ve been to Carkeek Park, you’ve seen some native plants. You’ve probably also seen plenty of native plants while you were out walking in your neighborhood or driving around the city. Adding native plants to your home will create a colorful and diverse environment that gives back to the ecosystem. The Washington Native Plant Society highlights community events and sites where you can see native vegetation and take advantage of plant sales.
\n\n\n\nCheck out these local nurseries in the Seattle area recommended by the King Conservation District:
\n\n\n\nSoaking in the sunshine and fresh air by spending time working in the garden or around the yard can be calming. But everyone deserves a break. When you’re ready to let someone else do the work, call your lawn care professional.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Oregon Grape / Kirt Edblom / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"8 Native Plants for Seattle, WA","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5113350125944585,"src":"/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/1789c/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/107df/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/293e9/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/f2cbb/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/1789c/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/c26c2/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/1dd6e/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/67b76/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.webp 320w,\n/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/8df11/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.webp 500w,\n/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/98a65/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.webp 800w,\n/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/1dd6e/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.webp 960w,\n/static/f8e48998021ef21c1623d52fec262680/3cc96/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"8 Native Plants for Seattle, WA | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Check out the best native plants for Seattle that thrive in the PNW’s wet winters and dry summers, plus information on where to buy native plants."}}},{"node":{"id":"74fdcb3d-908c-5838-a639-4fb8832d0297","slug":"best-native-plants-colorado-springs","path":"/lawn-care/co/colorado-springs/best-native-plants-colorado-springs/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Austin Geiger is an avid reader and writer. He has loved to read and write from a young age, and does both daily. His favorite subjects are fantasy and comedy, and he despises run-on sentences.","name":"Austin Geiger","id":"69bc552e-2c03-5c38-acc7-562e86f2a201","path":"/author/austin-geiger/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5baab15ab5786cfd4d2372bb580f441c?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"be8bb3a1-b40c-57ba-87f7-ff69490271a0","name":"Colorado","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/co/"},{"id":"253dba4d-dac0-5b2a-b00c-9b16e649ac14","name":"Colorado Springs","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/co/colorado-springs/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"}],"date":"April 1st, 2023","excerpt":"Native plants are an important part of the local ecosystem. They’re a great benefit to pollinators and thrive in the conditions you’ll find right in your own backyard and areas like Pikes Peak. If you’re looking for new flora to fill your outdoor space with, there are no better candidates than the ones that call […]
\n","content":"\nNative plants are an important part of the local ecosystem. They’re a great benefit to pollinators and thrive in the conditions you’ll find right in your own backyard and areas like Pikes Peak. If you’re looking for new flora to fill your outdoor space with, there are no better candidates than the ones that call your state home, including these 8 native plants for Colorado Springs.
\n\n\n\n![\"red](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/39770128425_b31bd4bee4_k-1-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David Prasad / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nRed twig dogwood is a deciduous flowering shrub native to Colorado. Its name comes from its distinctive red branches. This shrub likes a lot of sun and water, so make sure it gets plenty of light and give it supplemental water if you don’t get a lot of rainfall. It makes a great border plant for either paths or the landscape itself and prefers low elevations.
\n\n\n\nPlat type: Flowering shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist yet well-drained, slightly acidic soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Floral
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Late spring to early summer
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 6 to 9 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nRubber rabbitbrush is a drought-tolerant deciduous native shrub with tubular yellow flowers that bloom from late summer to autumn and that pollinators love, hummingbirds in particular. Its name comes from the scent its leaves have when crushed, which some have described as rubbery.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to grow rubber rabbitbrush in your Colorado Springs landscape, it makes a great border hedge for your backyard or an ornamental plant by itself. It is mildly toxic, so make sure to keep pets and small children away.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flowering shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained clay, sandy, or loam soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Described as pineapples by some and rubber by others
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Late summer to autumn
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 4 to 7 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: Do not consume. Slightly toxic to livestock.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"mahonia](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/46305790921_55d5e82fc2_k-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nCreeping mahonia is a Colorado native evergreen shrub and a great low-maintenance choice for your backyard. Its beautiful yellow flowers bloom in spring and grow edible berries that can be made into a delicious sour jelly. It can tolerate some shade and grows in a variety of soil types and pH balances, making it a good hardy plant that can grow where others can’t.
\n\n\n\nIn the winter, creeping mahonia’s green leaves turn from their usual color to a striking red hue that can vary from mauve to rose. It’s a great ornamental plant for garden beds or containers and can be used as a ground cover.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Evergreen shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Prefers a moist yet well-drained chalk, loam, or sandy soil with an acidic or neutral pH balance
\n\n\n\nDuration: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Late spring to summer
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Opuntia.compressa\"](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Opuntia.compressa.7689.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Olaf Leillinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\nIf you don’t mind a few sharp needles, the prickly pear cactus is a great addition to a Colorado Springs landscape. Like most cacti, it loves the sun and doesn’t need a lot of water. The flowers it grows in the summer are beautiful and attract many pollinators, bees in particular.
\n\n\n\nPrickly pear makes a great ornamental plant, either in a bed or individually. As cacti, they’re wonderful for xeriscaping, but can still fit right in no matter what kind of landscape you have. Just make sure not to walk barefoot around them.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Cactus
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained loam or sandy soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Late spring to summer
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 0.5 to 1 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: The plant’s spines can cause irritation, pain, or infection if they splinter and lodge in the skin.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/black-eyed-susan-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan is one of the most common wildflowers in the United States. It has moderate water needs but won’t need too much extra once it’s established, and it does best in an area with full sunlight. It grows well in acidic soil and can tolerate many soil types, making it a hardy, low-maintenance plant that’s good for areas of your landscape that can’t support other blooms.
\n\n\n\nIf you grow black-eyed Susan, keep in mind that it can spread, so you’ll need to take precautions to keep it away from your other plants. Planting them in a container will keep them isolated. If you plant them in a bed, separating clumps every few years should keep them from encroaching on other flowers. You can also deadhead them to keep them from reseeding.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9, though this can vary by species
\n\n\n\nSun: Full Sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Prefers a moist yet well-drained clay, sandy, or loam soil with an acidic pH balance
\n\n\n\nDuration: Biennial/short-lived perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Summer to August
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Colorado-Blue-Columbine.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Morefield / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for native plants for a Colorado Springs landscape, there’s no better candidate than Colorado’s state flower. Colorado blue columbine, also known as the Rocky Mountain Columbine, is a perennial wildflower with star-shaped purple and white flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. It can tolerate some shade and has moderate water needs.
\n\n\n\nBlue columbine prefers a well-drained soil that still has some moisture. It’s a great ornamental plant for a container, a flower bed, or bordering a path. This plant is poisonous, but not dangerously so, and is ignored by common garden pests such as rabbits and deer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist yet well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Late spring to early summer
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: Slightly poisonous. Do not consume.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Colorado-Blue-Spruce.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe blue spruce is Colorado’s state tree, making it the perfect choice for a tree for your landscape. It’s an evergreen that prefers full sun, requires a moderate amount of water, and likes a well-drained soil. Its season of interest ranges from late summer to early fall.
\n\n\n\nBlue spruce is best used as a centerpiece for your landscaping. At 30 to 60 feet fully grown, it tends to dominate the space, so an open area is best whether you put it in your front or back yard. If you need to prune it, do so carefully to avoid harmful stress on the tree.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist yet well-drained clay, loam, or sandy soil with an acidic or neutral pH balance
\n\n\n\nDuration: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Pine
\n\n\n\nSeason of Interest: Late summer to early fall
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 30 to 60 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: Pollen can set off allergies
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ponderosa-Pine.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nPonderosa pine is another Colorado native tree, one that can live for hundreds of years. It’s an evergreen that stays lush and beautiful year-round, and grows even bigger than a blue spruce. Ponderosa pine prefers full sun and has moderate water needs, but it is still a low-maintenance tree that can make a great addition to a Colorado garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full Sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Pine
\n\n\n\nSeason of Interest: Year-round
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 60 to 100 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: Pine nuts and pollen can set off allergies
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nAlthough native plants will thrive in their local habitat, they still have their individual preferred growing conditions. Before planting anything, make sure you understand your outdoor space’s soil, sun, and precipitation so that you can pick the plants that will do the best in it.
\n\n\n\nColorado Springs lies in USDA hardiness zone 5, which means that its lowest temperatures can reach between negative 20 and negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Many native plants can tolerate this zone comfortably, but some other native plants may not do as well in these temperatures.
\n\n\n\nKeep in mind that some plants may also be native to only certain parts of the state, in which case they may have a harder time than you would expect. For example, a flower that’s native to areas like Denver or Aspen may not be native to your Colorado Springs garden.
\n\n\n\nIt varies depending on the exact plant, but generally, yes, native plants require much less maintenance than non-native ones since they’re already in their natural habitat.
Unfortunately, yes. Under the right conditions, even a native plant can become invasive and push out the other flora in your garden. The smooth sumac is a good example of this, as even though it’s a Colorado native, it can take over your landscape if you don’t control it properly.
It depends on the plant. Different flowers and trees will have ideal planting seasons. Do some research to find out what time of year is best for planting the native plants you have in mind.
If you need ideas for native plants to put in your Colorado Springs property, there’s no better place to look than its natural areas. Take a hike through areas like the Garden of the Gods park and make note of good-looking flora that you’d like in your outdoor space.
\n\n\n\nHowever, in order to make sure your plants are sourced ethically and so as to not disrupt a sensitive ecosystem, never take them directly from the wild. The Colorado Native Plant Society recommends several retailers you can purchase native plants from.
To give your native plants the admiration they deserve, surround them with a landscape that’s well maintained and in tip-top shape. Hand your yard maintenance chores over to a local lawn care professional who can mow the turfgrass, edge the lawn, and trim the hedges.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Monarda menthifolia (horse mint) (Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA) / James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"8 Best Native Plants for Colorado Springs","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3407821229050279,"src":"/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/1789c/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.jpg","srcSet":"/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/107df/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.jpg 320w,\n/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/293e9/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.jpg 500w,\n/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/f2cbb/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.jpg 800w,\n/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/1789c/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.jpg 960w,\n/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/c26c2/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/1dd6e/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/67b76/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.webp 320w,\n/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/8df11/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.webp 500w,\n/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/98a65/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.webp 800w,\n/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/1dd6e/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.webp 960w,\n/static/5f9a0917a2008b0dddfa72c7eabdfb38/3cc96/Native-Plants-Colorado-Spings.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"8 Best Native Plants for Colorado Springs | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Choosing the right native plants can be tough. Read this guide to help you pick out some for your Colorado Springs property."}}},{"node":{"id":"af0ab3b1-589f-5ebb-b53b-eeca82d451bc","slug":"best-native-plants-southeast-virginia","path":"/lawn-care/virginia/southeast-virginia/best-native-plants-southeast-virginia/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Based in the south of France, Jeffery holds a master of science degree from the International University of Monaco. His hobbies include hiking, cycling, and traveling across Europe.","name":"Jeffery Keusseyan","id":"75c05140-c87e-540a-8d34-da174527f4cc","path":"/author/jeffery-keusseyan/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12a7b239a959b7f6feee4e4b9495d63f?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"e3ae6f66-0bfc-57c1-9bb1-48a2124e6360","name":"Southeast Virginia","count":1,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/southeast-virginia/"},{"id":"ddd20ffd-f767-55d6-8823-27520167ef7e","name":"Virginia","count":20,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/"}],"date":"May 1st, 2023","excerpt":"Southeast Virginia is blessed with a temperate climate where you can enjoy the outdoors all year round. From snapping pictures of seals in Blakeney Point to taking long walks in Buckroe Beach and Park, there are plenty of activities for nature lovers to enjoy. Wondering how you can give back to the local ecosystem? With […]
\n","content":"\nSoutheast Virginia is blessed with a temperate climate where you can enjoy the outdoors all year round. From snapping pictures of seals in Blakeney Point to taking long walks in Buckroe Beach and Park, there are plenty of activities for nature lovers to enjoy. Wondering how you can give back to the local ecosystem? With 10 of the best native plants for Southeast Virginia, you get to spruce up your backyard and support the local wildlife habitat.
\n\n\n\nNative plant gardens are generally low-maintenance, water-efficient, and essential to the survival of butterflies and pollinators. However, it is important to note that not all Virginia-native plants thrive in this part of the state. The following section will list some of the best plants for your native Southeast landscape, along with their characteristics.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis part of Virginia, east of Piedmont, lies in USDA Hardiness zones 7b and 8a. The temperature typically varies from 32 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, with muggy summers and cold, windy winters. Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay are not prone to prolonged periods of extreme weather, allowing a variety of plant species to thrive.
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red-Chokeberry-Aronia-arbutifolia.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mr.TinMD / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
\n\n\n\nRed chokeberry is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with green leaves that turn orangish-red in the fall. During this period, pear-shaped berries appear and may persist through winter. These fruits can be used in making jams, but can also be eaten raw!
\n\n\n\nRed chokeberry is an excellent addition to your native landscape with high wildlife value. It is a source of nectar to bees and butterflies. Additionally, this plant’s fruits are an excellent food source for a variety of birds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet-scented
\n\n\n\nBloom time: February – May
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 5 to 10 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Leaves, bark, stem, and stones (seed pit) are all toxic. Chewing on the stems and leaves could be fatal.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Common-Buttonbush-Cephalanthus-occidentalis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: The Cosmonaut / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nCommon buttonbush is a hardy shrub with green leaves and round flower clusters. They tend to bloom during midsummer. This native plant species is a fast grower, making it useful to prevent erosion in wetlands or near rivers. Common buttonbush attracts more than 24 species of birds, as well as butterflies and pollinators. It is perfect for rain and cottage gardens.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 11
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Dried flowers and leaves smell like freshly-mown grass
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average, high
\n\n\n\nMature height: 5 to 12 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Leaves are toxic to domesticated animals.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nAmerican beautyberry is a bushy, deciduous shrub that is easy to grow. In early summer, it bears clusters of small flowers that can be pink or white in color. These flowers are followed by bright violet fruits which encircle the plant’s woody stems. The best fruit production occurs when the shrubs are planted in groups. Unfortunately, American beautyberries may die back to the ground in areas with harsh winters.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 11
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, Sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Citrus
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low (one inch per week)
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4 to 8 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/American-Witch-Hazel-Hamamelis-virginiana.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nPlanted as a shrub or small tree, the American witch hazel boasts sweetly-scented flowers in fall and early spring. Each flower consists of 4 golden yellow petals. This native plant sports smooth oval leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. No regular pruning is required for this plant, but you can always remove any damaged, dead, or weak shoots.
\n\n\n\nThe American witch hazel is the species from which medicinal witch-hazel extract is made. Overall, its smooth gray bark and colorful fall foliage make it a great addition to your native garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub, tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweetly scented
\n\n\n\nBloom time: September to December
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 15 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Prune in spring to control its shape and size.
\n\n\n\nCommon winterberry is a stunningly beautiful shrub that is native to the eastern United States. It is classified as dioecious, so the male variety planted close to the female plant will lead to the production of bright red berries. Unlike the classic Christmas holly, this species loses its leaves every autumn. However, you may still use the red-fruited branches to make lovely home decorations. Common winterberry is great as a specimen plant or in mixed shrub borders.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand, moist, acidic
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 15 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazard: Fruit can be poisonous to pets and people
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-Redbud-Cercis-canadensis-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nEastern Redbud, also known as ‘Ace of Hearts’, is a deciduous tree with unique branching patterns. It does not tolerate root disturbance, so be sure to pick a proper permanent spot for this plant in your garden. The rose pink to light purple flowers mature in early spring, and attract scores of bees and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nIt is important to note that this native plant is very sensitive to herbicides and other chemicals sprayed on lawns. Used for shrub borders or as a specimen plant, eastern redbud can provide your native garden with an elegant touch.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Any moist, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Keep the soil moist to a depth of 2 to 3 inches; watering schedule depends on your soil type, but you should water about once per week
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 to 30 feet tall with a 25 to 35 foot spread
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Requires little pruning
\n\n\n\n![\"Many](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Flowering-Dogwood-Cornus-florida-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nFlowering dogwood is another species that can be used as a shrub or ornamental tree. This native plant produces showy, long-lasting fruits that are a valuable source of food for songbirds and small mammals. In hot and moist summers, you can add a layer of mulch to keep the roots cool.
\n\n\n\nFlowering dogwood is a perfect fit for shrub borders, woodland gardens, or naturalized gardens. Many landscapers and gardeners regard this plant as one of the best flowering trees native to the area.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Grows best in part shade but can tolerate full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: organically rich, moist, acidic soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Slightly fragrant
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March – June
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 15 to 30 feet, sometimes reaching up to 40 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: The fruit is poisonous to humans
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nBlack Huckleberry is a low-growing deciduous shrub, with a foliage that turns orange and crimson in the fall. Urn-shaped red to pink flowers appear in late spring to mid summer. These flowers are followed by edible purplish-black berries that humans, birds, and other wildlife can enjoy.
\n\n\n\nBlack huckleberry has a shallow-spreading root system that helps prevent erosion on rocky hillsides. This native plant is perfect for wildlife gardens, shrub borders, and foundation plantings.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet berry smell
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May – July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\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\nButterfly milkweed is a bushy perennial that is native to most of the United States. It boasts clusters of yellow-orange flowers which bloom continuously throughout summer. These flowers are followed by seed pods in the fall. This native perennial performs quite well in poor, dry soils. More importantly, milkweed doesn’t handle transplanting very well and should be left undisturbed once established.
\n\n\n\nA great nectar source for birds and insects, butterfly milkweed is critical to the survival of monarch butterflies. Consider adding this plant to your native landscape and help reverse their fortune.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Vanilla
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Can be lethal to horses, cats, and dogs
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Beebalm-Monarda.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Alan Silvester / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nBee balm is a clump-forming perennial that is a magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial pollinators. It is one of the showiest summer-blooming perennials you can get for your native garden. Bee balms have very distinctive tubular flowers that help you create visually stunning border displays. These Monarda species combine well with other summer perennials, such as phlox, and make excellent cut flowers.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial plant
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Minty aroma when leaves are crushed
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July – August
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Average
\n\n\n\nAll of the plants mentioned above are native to Southeast Virginia, and should grow properly under normal circumstances. However, there is another decisive factor that cannot be overlooked: your landscape.
\n\n\n\nBefore purchasing any of these native plants, you should double-check on your property’s soil type, exposure levels, and water availability as a starting point. Each of these factors can affect the plant’s growing ability in your backyard.
\n\n\n\nSeveral of the plants listed in this article are native to Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach Native Plants include:
• Butterfly Milkweed
• Cardinal Flower
• Inkberry Holly
• Fall Phlox
• Eastern Redbud
• Sweetbay Magnolia
• Trumpet Honeysuckle
• Smooth Alder
• Virginian Witch Hazel
• American Beautyberry
The purple fringeless orchid is one of the rarest orchid species in the state. It is a short plant with a cluster of pinkish-purple flowers, with a maximum height of 3 feet. The Department of Conservation and Recreation ranks it as ‘critically imperiled’, with estimates that less than 1,000 of these plants remain in Virginia.
Invasive plant species are unwanted for a reason. They harm native plants and basically threaten the entire state’s forests and landscapes. Invasive plants can include grasses, trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
Below are some of the non-native and invasive plant species in Virginia:
• Alligator weed
• Japanese sand sedge
• Chinese privet
• Marsh Dewflower
For more information on invasive plants, you can visit the Virginia Department of Forestry website.
The tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a deciduous tree that was introduced as an ornamental species. It has leaves that resemble native sumac and walnut species. Tree-of-heaven is originally from China and classified as invasive in the state of Virginia. Concerning the southeastern cities, it can be found in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Hampton.
Northern Virginia’s native plants include:
• Red columbine
• Common yarrow
• Yellow wild indigo
• White turtlehead
• Maryland golden-aster
• Spring beauty
• Eastern rose-mallow
• Turk’s-cap lily
Plants native to Virginia’s Capital Region include:
• Black oak
• Willow oak
• Sassafras
• Common partridge-pea
• Smooth oxeye
• Arrow arum
• Wild pink
• Red chokeberry
Plant species native to Southeast Virginia will grow naturally in forests, national parks, wetlands, and even near your own property.
\n\n\n\nFortunately, there are several nurseries and garden centers that sell native plants to help with your backyard transformation. Not only do they sell them, but they can provide answers to any of your questions regarding native species and how to grow them properly.
\n\n\n\nFor information on wildflowers, wildlife service, and native plant sales throughout the state of Virginia, visit the official webpage of the Virginia Native Plant Society.
\n\n\n\nBut why stop at native plants? With several low-maintenance landscaping ideas that include hardscaping features and Virginia grass types, you can design a unique and visually appealing outdoor space with minimal backyard chores.
\n\n\n\nYour lawn will still require the occasional upkeep. Whether you live in Virginia Beach, Newport News, or Suffolk, we can help you hire a local lawn care professional to handle the yard’s mowing, trimming, or edging.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo by: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Southeast Virginia","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5009380863039399,"src":"/static/529af5fb7b1388973a5051e487c5cfd5/f2cbb/Native-Plant-for-Southeast-Vigina.jpg","srcSet":"/static/529af5fb7b1388973a5051e487c5cfd5/107df/Native-Plant-for-Southeast-Vigina.jpg 320w,\n/static/529af5fb7b1388973a5051e487c5cfd5/293e9/Native-Plant-for-Southeast-Vigina.jpg 500w,\n/static/529af5fb7b1388973a5051e487c5cfd5/f2cbb/Native-Plant-for-Southeast-Vigina.jpg 800w","srcWebp":"/static/529af5fb7b1388973a5051e487c5cfd5/98a65/Native-Plant-for-Southeast-Vigina.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/529af5fb7b1388973a5051e487c5cfd5/67b76/Native-Plant-for-Southeast-Vigina.webp 320w,\n/static/529af5fb7b1388973a5051e487c5cfd5/8df11/Native-Plant-for-Southeast-Vigina.webp 500w,\n/static/529af5fb7b1388973a5051e487c5cfd5/98a65/Native-Plant-for-Southeast-Vigina.webp 800w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Southeast Virginia | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Explore the best native plants for Southeast Virginia, and boost the local ecosystem by creating a visually appealing native landscape."}}},{"node":{"id":"c36b05a7-74f1-5c15-b3a6-19dac76c309b","slug":"everything-to-know-about-kentucky-bluegrass","path":"/blog/landscaping/everything-to-know-about-kentucky-bluegrass/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Emaley Baxter is an expert landscaper who loves writing in her free time. She enjoys research and exploring the great outdoors.","name":"Emaley Baxter","id":"c006aa66-4cfc-59dc-b3ce-5c07b0f83ff0","path":"/author/emaleybaxter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/889dbc1c9ea88d564723019ac6c9b47b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"}],"date":"August 27th, 2019","excerpt":"For many lawn owners in the Northern half of the United States, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is synonymous with the ideal lawn, and for good reason. When given its preferred growing conditions and proper care, this grass produces a lush, dense, and durable lawn that lives up to its historic reputation. Part of the charm […]
\n","content":"\nFor many lawn owners in the Northern half of the United States, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is synonymous with the ideal lawn, and for good reason. When given its preferred growing conditions and proper care, this grass produces a lush, dense, and durable lawn that lives up to its historic reputation. Part of the charm of a healthy Kentucky bluegrass lawn is its rich emerald to blue-green color. Add to that its medium to fine texture and a Kentucky bluegrass lawn is both beautiful to look at and comfortable for bare feet and outdoor activities.
\n\n\n\nOften referred to in the grass industry by its initials KBG, Kentucky bluegrass quickly rose to become a premier lawn grass throughout much of the country. While the state of Kentucky may be known as the “Bluegrass State,” Kentucky bluegrass did not actually originate there. Like many common turf grasses in the United States, this widely used grass is native to Europe and northern Asia (1). Its first use in the U.S. was as a pasture grass in locations such as Kentucky, where it still covers the state’s well known gently rolling hills. KBG is what is known as a perennial, cool-season lawn grass. This means it comes back year after year and grows most vigorously during the cool seasons of fall and spring. KBG has the greatest cold hardiness of all the common cool-season lawn grasses (2). It is used most extensively in northern climates where moderately warm summers and cold winters follow with its natural preferences and growth cycle.
Compared to tall fescue, traditional Kentucky bluegrass varieties have relatively shallow roots, which typically lead to lower tolerances for heat and drought (3). Historically, this has restricted the widespread use of KBG south of the climatically challenging ‘transition zone’, where higher heat and humidity favor warm-season grasses, such as Zoysia and St. Augustine grass.
\n\n\n\nUnlike bunch-forming grasses, such as tall fescue and ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass is a true self-spreading, sod-forming grass. Once established, it spreads readily by using underground stems (known as rhizomes) to form a dense and thick turf. This aggressive growth habit gives KBG the capacity to recuperate quickly from damage. Depending on your grass growing region and your lawn care goals, Kentucky bluegrass may be a perfect choice for you. As with other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass growth slows significantly during hot summer months. During extreme heat or extended drought, the grass will go dormant. However, it recovers quickly with irrigation and a return to normal conditions.
\n\n\n\nKBG establishes easily from seed, but it germinates more slowly than some other cool-season grasses. Fast-growing perennial ryegrass, for example, germinates in one-third the time of Kentucky bluegrass (1). Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas. Look on the seed tag label of many grass seed mixes, including shade and sun & shade mixes, and you’ll find KBG varieties mixed with other cool-season grasses. Fast-greening perennial ryegrass and shade-tolerant fescues complement Kentucky bluegrass’s strengths to create versatile, lush, cool-season lawns. Durable KBG is also a regular component of seed mixes for athletic fields.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass seed is better adapted to high foot-traffic and compacted soil. This makes the grass ideal for yards with children and dogs, park areas and sports fields. For the most part, Bluegrasses have the ability to recover from injury and disturbance due to their spreading rhizomes. This also gives them excellent winter hardiness. When properly watered during its growing seasons, bluegrass will grow back and fill-in after freezing, drought and periods of high-traffic.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass matures into a beautiful, sod-forming turf with a fine texture and blue-green blades that form dense, spreading mats. Regular mowing will help bluegrass become thick, lush and uniform lawns.
\n\n\n\nWhile Kentucky bluegrass is lovely for many reasons, it can not achieve its full beauty on its own. This grass actually requires a relatively high level of maintenance to look its absolute, but the results of the extra tender loving grass care can be worth it.
\n\n\n\nWith Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season lawn grasses, the best time to plant seed and do major lawn maintenance is during early fall, as KBG growth progress is at its peak. Because of KBG’s rhizomatous growth, the grass develops thatch easily, which can add to drought stress and potential for disease. Depending on your mowing and care practices, your KBG lawn may need dethatching every year or two.
\n\n\n\nWise water management is essential for Kentucky bluegrass lawns. Deep, thorough irrigation helps encourage deep root growth, while shallow, frequent watering discourages proper growth. During normal weather, a typical KBG lawn needs at least 1 inch of water weekly from irrigation or rainfall. During warmer weather and in the transition zone, 2 inches or more per week may be needed (1). While the relatively shallow roots of traditional KBG varieties historically required more water than tall fescue or most warm-season counterparts in similar situations, modern developments have greatly improved water efficiency.
\n\n\n\nLike other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass should be mowed higher than warm-season grasses. Warm-season Bermudagrass, for example, is routinely kept near 1 inch tall, but KBG should be mowed to 2 to 2 1/2 inches high. During periods of high heat and lower rainfall, recommended KBG mowing heights increase to 3 to 4 inches (1).
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass lawns typically require more fertilizer than tall fescue and other grasses. In alkaline soils, blades can lose their rich green color due to pH-induced iron deficiency. The optimal soil pH for KBG lawns is near 5.8 to 7.0. (2) Regular soil testing every three to four years can help you maintain a healthy pH balance and rich KBG color with the help of quality lawn fertilizers, soil amendments and mineral supplements (3).
\n\n\n\nWhile this might seem like a lot of maintenance items to keep up on, as we’ve shown the benefits of KBG can definitely outweigh the time and energy required to keep the grass at its peak.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass seeds will tolerate limited shade but grow best in full sun. Some varieties of bluegrass have been bred to be more tolerant of shading, but dense shade is a limiting factor to the vigor of a bluegrass lawn. KBG requires well-drained soil and consistent moisture for optimal health and beauty (3). Due to shallow roots, bluegrasses will quickly go dormant if subjected to extended drought or under-watering.
\n\n\n\nStill unsure of how to best care for your Kentucky Bluegrass lawn? Check out your state’s agricultural extension office for helpful tips and soil testing kits that will help you determine your best lawn care plan.
\n\n\n\nIf you live in the northern or central United States and your lawn needs call for a durable and wear-resistant cool-season lawn that can grow thick and lush, Kentucky Bluegrass may be the perfect solution providing you seasons of turfgrass.
\n\n\n\n\n\nSources:
\n\n\n\n1. Duble, R.L., “Kentucky Bluegrass,” Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.
\n\n\n\n2. Patton, A. and Boyd J., “Choosing a Grass for Arkansas Lawns,” University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension.
\n\n\n\n3. Cook, T., “Kentucky Bluegrass, Poa Pratensis L.,” Oregon State University Department of Horticulture.
\n\n\n\nTop Photo: Source
\n","title":"Everything to Know About Kentucky Bluegrass","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4987951807228916,"src":"/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/9461e/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/107df/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.jpg 320w,\n/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/293e9/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.jpg 500w,\n/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/9461e/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.jpg 622w","srcWebp":"/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/fb518/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/67b76/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.webp 320w,\n/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/8df11/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.webp 500w,\n/static/7279b0894b04d112c26a7194a6a759bd/fb518/kentucky-bluegrass-lawn.webp 622w","sizes":"(max-width: 622px) 100vw, 622px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Everything to Know About Kentucky Bluegrass | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"This is the comprehensive Kentucky Bluegrass guide. Read more to find out characteristics, maintenance do's and don'ts, and more!"}}},{"node":{"id":"175290c2-ba3e-595b-9a2a-77833ce93316","slug":"best-native-plants-detroit","path":"/lawn-care/michigan/detroit/best-native-plants-detroit/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Tatiana Barrie is a writer with a background in law and tech, passionate about environmental sustainability and animal welfare. When she’s not writing, Tatiana enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and traveling the world.","name":"Tatiana Barrie","id":"8c60c769-47b8-542b-b658-4947278b51c5","path":"/author/tatiana-barrie/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2efff47c9ef277fa369b6224bb184e40?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"f43b41b2-c5f2-52fc-842d-d4f53b9ac8ab","name":"Detroit","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/michigan/detroit/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"75fb394d-179e-5e85-92bb-a24a339af8a6","name":"Michigan","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/michigan/"}],"date":"April 7th, 2023","excerpt":"There’s a lot more to Detroit than just Comerica Park, the Eastern Market, and Mototown. From the Riverwalk to Belle Isle, the Motor City is also home to an amazing array of native plants that can add a touch of Michigan’s natural beauty to your yard. To help you incorporate them into your landscape design, […]
\n","content":"\nThere’s a lot more to Detroit than just Comerica Park, the Eastern Market, and Mototown. From the Riverwalk to Belle Isle, the Motor City is also home to an amazing array of native plants that can add a touch of Michigan’s natural beauty to your yard. To help you incorporate them into your landscape design, we’ve compiled a list of the best native plants for Detroit lawns.
\n\n\n\nThese native trees and plants won’t only improve the appearance of your yard but also come with a range of additional benefits:
\n\n\n\nWhether you prefer showy wildflowers, elegant trees, or a mix of both, these 10 best native plants for Detroit are sure to enhance your outdoor space and bring you closer to the natural beauty of the city.
\n\n\n\nHere’s what we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Yellow-Coneflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Frank Mayfield / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nAs a member of the sunflower family, the yellow coneflower produces beautiful, bright yellow flowers that bloom from mid-June to September, providing a long-lasting burst of color in your garden. While it can endure some degree of light shade, it requires full sun conditions to thrive – so it’s not the best choice for heavily shaded yards.
\n\n\n\nYellow coneflower is also low-maintenance and resistant to many common plant pets, such as Lygus bugs, leafhoppers, aphids, and Japanese beetles. Plus, it’s a pollinator magnet, so you’ll be doing your part to support Detroit’s wildlife by planting it in your yard.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Mid-range soil moist; it can thrive in various soil types, including clay, sandy, and calcareous.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Light, sweet smelling
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Mid-Season (June to August)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. If it grows tall stems, these may require support. To encourage new growth, prune back 1 to 2 inches above the ground during early to mid-spring.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Common-Boneset.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nCommon boneset is a versatile and attractive plant that can bring both aesthetic and practical benefits to your yard. This plant is known for its Detroit’s winter hardiness, beautiful clusters of small, white flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, and its medicinal properties.
\n\n\n\nIt can tolerate a range of soil conditions, from dry to moist, and it will reach around 3 to 4 feet tall under full sun conditions. Now, keep in mind that common boneset spreads via underground rhizomes. As a result, it’s best to avoid planting it in the same flower bed as other Detroit native plants.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organic-rich moist to wet sandy or clay soils; though it can also tolerate dry soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, floral scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer to early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. To shield the roots from the harsh effects of Detroit’s deep winter freezes, it’s recommended to apply a three-inch layer of mulch.
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Swamp-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAs a wetland species, swamp milkweed is commonly found along the edges of streams and rivers, wet meadows, and swamps. In fact, if you like to spend time outdoors around Detroit’s great lakes and rivers, you’re probably already familiar with it. The plant produces clusters of pink or purple flowers that are attractive to pollinators like butterflies and bees, and it serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly.
\n\n\n\nThis species prefers full sun or partial shade, and it’s adaptable to a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. It’s also a good idea to plant it somewhere that’s well-drained, because although it needs moist soil, it doesn’t like to sit in flooded areas.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet smelling
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Midsummer to fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals in large quantities
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan is known for its cheerful yellow petals and dark center. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and thrive in various conditions, whether it’s full sun or partial shade, dry or moist soil – this plant will adapt and flourish.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, black-eyed Susan is a practical choice for erosion control and stabilization. Its deep root system helps to hold soil in place, preventing it from being washed away during heavy rain or wind. This means that if your lawn is already damaged or sloped, black-eyed Susan can help stabilize the soil and prevent further erosion.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun. Can tolerate some partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry, moist, well drained soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Annual , Perennial, or Biennial depending on growing conditions
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early summer to early fall (Jun – Sept)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. During its first season, it should be irrigated with only one inch of water per week – once established, it’ll be drought-resistant.
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Butterfly-Milkweed-Asclepias-tuberosa.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxFuel
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed gets its name from its ability to attract a wide variety of butterflies, including monarchs, swallowtails, and fritillaries. These butterflies are drawn to its bright orange and yellow flowers, which provide a rich source of nectar. It’s also a hardy and easy-to-grow plant. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but it can also grow in partial shade and tolerate drought once established.
\n\n\n\nNow, butterfly weed is not for impatient gardeners. If you choose to grow it from seed, it can take up to two years to bloom. Besides, it’s prone to aphids. You can control them through natural methods such as spraying the plants with a strong stream of water or applying insecticidal soap. Ladybugs and lacewings are also natural predators of aphids and can help keep their populations in check.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained dry to mid-range soil moist. Loam, sand, or clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet vanilla fragrance
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and pets
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Trembling-Aspen.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Tewy / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nTrembling aspen (aka quaking aspen) is known for its striking white bark and shimmering leaves that flutter in the breeze, giving it its common name. This tree is a fast grower, reaching heights of up to 60 feet – way taller than the Spirit of Detroit statue! To get there, though, you’ll need to maintain it frequently. It requires at least four hours of daily sunlight as well as generous watering and fertilization.
\n\n\n\nOne potential issue to be aware of when growing trembling aspen is its susceptibility to insect pests such as tent caterpillars and aspen leaf miners. These pests can cause defoliation and damage to the tree. You can control them using natural pesticides or by encouraging natural predators such as birds and parasitic wasps.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 1 to 6
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry to mid-range, organic-rich, well-drained soil moist
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – May
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 to 60 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: High
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/New-England-Aster-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Midwest Region / Flickr / Public Domain
\n\n\n\nNew England aster is a tall, elegant plant that produces masses of purple flowers in late summer and fall, providing a burst of color to your garden when many other plants are slowing down. It can grow in a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand, and prefers slightly acidic pH levels.
\n\n\n\nWhile it can tolerate partial or light shade, this plant needs at least six to eight hours of daily sunlight to thrive. Detroit’s humidity during the summer can become an issue if you don’t provide adequate air circulation around your New England aster plants. To prevent fungal diseases, make sure to space them out properly.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, sandy, loamy
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer – early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ninebark.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nNinebark’s dense growth and multi-stemmed habit make it an excellent choice for creating a living privacy screen around your garden beds or lawn. This shrub is known for its striking bark, which peels away in layers to reveal a range of colors including red, brown, and orange. In addition to its attractive bark, ninebark produces clusters of small white or pink flowers in the spring and summer, which are followed by red or brown fruit in the fall.
\n\n\n\nOne of the great things about ninebark is that it is a low-maintenance plant that requires little pruning or special care. However, if you want to keep the plant looking its best, you can prune it in the early spring to remove any dead or damaged branches and shape the plant as desired.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry to moist clay and loam soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late spring to early summer (May – Jun)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 5 to 8 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Virgins-Bower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Melissa McMasters / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nVirgin’s Bower (also known as woodbine, the devil’s darning needles, and old man’s beard) is a vigorous climber that can grow up to 20 feet tall, making it perfect for covering a trellis, fence, or other vertical structure in your yard. This plant prefers well-draining soils that are moist but not waterlogged and produces feathery seed heads that persist into the winter months.
\n\n\n\nJust a heads up, though: Virgin’s Bower can be quite the go-getter. It spreads quickly by self-seeding and can take over other plants if not managed properly. So, if you want to keep it in check, be sure to prune it back in the spring and keep it away from delicate plants.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organic-rich, well-drained loamy or silty soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet smelling
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 12 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Little-bluestem.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Alexschott / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nLittle bluestem is a warm-season grass that typically blooms in mid to late summer, producing fluffy seed heads that persist into the winter months. The plant’s foliage is a gorgeous blue-green color in the summer, turning to shades of orange, red, and bronze in the fall – it’s like having a mini autumn in your garden!
\n\n\n\nAnother great thing about little bluestem is that it’s low-maintenance. It’s drought-tolerant and can adapt to a wide range of soil types, making it a great choice for Detroit’s climate. Plus, it’s deer-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about pesky critters munching on your plants.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Ornamental grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry to moist, well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: August – February
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nBefore picking a native plant, the first thing you should do is take a look at your yard and think carefully about its conditions. Is it sunny or shady? Is the soil sandy or clay-based? Are there any areas that are particularly wet or dry? Choose plants that are well-suited to your yard’s conditions to ensure their success.
\n\n\n\nAnother thing to consider is maintenance. Native plants are generally low-maintenance, but it’s still important to think about your ability to care for them. Choose plants that fit your time and energy level, and consider factors like pruning and watering requirements.
\n\n\n\nAlthough we highly recommend the native plants mentioned earlier, there are many other options available (native and non-native) that might better align with your preferences. Detroit falls under USDA hardiness zone 6b, indicating that the region’s average minimum temperature ranges from -5 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. When exploring alternative plants, make sure that they are suitable for the hardiness zone of Detroit.
\n\n\n\nDetroit’s winters can be quite challenging, with temperatures often dropping below freezing and heavy snowfall. That’s why, generally, the ideal time to plant is in the spring or early fall, when the weather is cooler and there is more moisture in the soil.
Most Detroit native plants thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. However, make sure you research the specific pH needs of your chosen native plants before planting them in your garden. If you don’t, it can lead to stunted growth, nutrient deficiencies, and even plant death.
In Michigan, it’s illegal to collect certain native species, such as club mosses and all trillium species. These plants play an important role in local ecosystems and are protected to ensure their survival. Additionally, there are some endangered native plants that you’ll want to avoid collecting to help preserve their populations.
If you’re a fan of walking along the Detroit Riverfront or taking a trip to Belle Isle Park, you’ve probably already seen most of these plants. These sites boast several native flowers, including Black-eyed Susans, New England asters, and yellow coneflowers.
\n\n\n\nBut if you want to bring some of that natural beauty into your own yard, you can check your locally-owned and operated nurseries to see whether they have Michigan native plants in stock. These are some recommended options:
\n\n\n\nFilling your garden with native plants is a great starting point to create your dream outdoor space. However, if you don’t take care of the other aspects of your landscape, your natural oasis won’t reach its full potential. Leave the lawn care to the experts and connect with a local pro to achieve your landscaping goals.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Swamp Milkweed at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge / USFWS Midwest Region / Flickr / Public Domain
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Detroit, MI","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.509433962264151,"src":"/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/1789c/swamp-milkweed-plant.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/107df/swamp-milkweed-plant.jpg 320w,\n/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/293e9/swamp-milkweed-plant.jpg 500w,\n/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/f2cbb/swamp-milkweed-plant.jpg 800w,\n/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/1789c/swamp-milkweed-plant.jpg 960w,\n/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/c26c2/swamp-milkweed-plant.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/1dd6e/swamp-milkweed-plant.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/67b76/swamp-milkweed-plant.webp 320w,\n/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/8df11/swamp-milkweed-plant.webp 500w,\n/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/98a65/swamp-milkweed-plant.webp 800w,\n/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/1dd6e/swamp-milkweed-plant.webp 960w,\n/static/3e1414b7a3a97b3009846af5a45b099f/3cc96/swamp-milkweed-plant.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Detroit, MI | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Looking to add some native beauty to your yard? Check out the best native plants for Detroit, plus tips on where to find them at local nurseries."}}},{"node":{"id":"4ffe5de5-d22a-50e4-9c09-43d605c75e25","slug":"6-organizing-tips-to-tidy-up-your-yard","path":"/blog/landscaping/6-organizing-tips-to-tidy-up-your-yard/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"}],"date":"June 5th, 2019","excerpt":"What is a backyard if not an extension of one’s soul? Okay, that may be a bit dramatic, but what’s the point of having that yard if you don’t maintain it well? Your lawn is a part of your property strangers can often look into without having to be welcomed into your home, so keeping […]
\n","content":"\nWhat is a backyard if not an extension of one’s soul? Okay, that may be a bit dramatic, but what’s the point of having that yard if you don’t maintain it well? Your lawn is a part of your property strangers can often look into without having to be welcomed into your home, so keeping it organized is crucial to maintaining the right appearances in your neighborhood. It is one of many ways to improve your all-important curb appeal. Though there is a lot of open space in the typical yard, keeping the rest well organized does take some effort and wise thinking. Try these tips to keep your backyard items well maintained and stored correctly.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lawnmowers-yelloe.jpg\")
It’s possible to store most lawn care products and other backyard items without much maintenance. The main exception would be lawnmowers or other motorized lawn equipment. Drain any fuel or other fluids put inside these tools before they are stored long-term. In the winter, make sure to empty the fuel tank of the mower before putting it away in the garage or shed. If the items are stored outdoors, try to keep them above ground to prevent snow and water from getting to them.
\n\n\n\nRead more: Here Are the Best Push Lawn Mowers of 2019
\n\n\n\nOutdoor grills can get dirty during a busy summer, so cleaning a grill before putting it in storage is always wise. A grill brush can be a big help with the job. Weber Grills has a helpful guide on their site that helps walk through the steps owners of each kind of grill should take before storing their grills. Whatever grill you have, it can be stored indoors or outdoors during the winter, but a propane tank should always be stored outside. If you choose to store your grill outdoors, a grill cover can help protect its exterior from the elements.
\n\n\n\nMost items that kids love to play with at the pool are pretty low maintenance, but it always helps to break down these pool toys and accessories to their smallest components. That means disassembling the pool basketball hoop, deflating the floating pool toys, and folding all the towels.
\n\n\n\nThere’s always an item or two that can be removed to create extra space in any outdoor space. Many people don’t refresh their lawn decorations or leave some out far too long. Others keep broken or worn down lawn equipment, flower pots or watering instruments around as it can be difficult to throw them out.
\n\n\n\nThe shed or garage close to your outdoor space can often become the place where items to be sold, donated, or thrown out are put. It generally feels easier to move these items temporarily than it is actually to get rid of them. Determine a workflow to assess which of these seeming superfluous items are worth keeping, and figure out what to do with the rest (selling, donating, dumping) that makes the most sense.
\n\n\n\nDecluttering your backyard makes the outdoor living space more inviting and more functional for your friends and family… or neighbors. When you have too much stuff just lying around and taking up space in your yard, the point this summer should be to declutter it. The golden rule is the less you have, the less you need to store. Just like when you’re looking at renting a storage space or preparing for a long distance move, throwing away or donating items means fewer things for you to worry about.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/4757379661_316dfa218f_z.jpg\")
Need more space to store things in and around your yard? There are a few convenient yard storage solutions. Add storage racks or buy shelves to go alongside the walls of the garage, and you’ll make more use out of the space right next to your yard. In the yard, a storage shed or deck box can make an unassuming place to put some items that belong in the yard but aren’t always being used. The deck box or shed can blend into a yard much like an ottomans blend into a living room. A wine rack as a holder for clean – rolled-up towels and a water-proof coat rack is a great solution for hanging wet towels to dry.
\n\n\n\nThe elements are always a concern in the yard, so patio and other outdoor furniture should have covers that can be put on them upon notice of inclement weather. Clearing debris from the lawn can help prevent damage in cases of inclement weather too; don’t let a strong breeze cause one of your items to be dented. Cleaning your metal yard equipment like lawnmowers, grills, and gardening tools will help keep them from rusting and help them maintain their top effectiveness. Having a landscape layout that’s fit for your home is often about yard maintenance. But the reward of a photogenic and welcoming exterior on your property is worth it.
\n\n\n\nTop Photo: Flickr // Earthworm
\n","title":"Here Are 6 Organizing Tips to Tidy Up Your Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/1789c/backyard-clutter.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/107df/backyard-clutter.jpg 320w,\n/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/293e9/backyard-clutter.jpg 500w,\n/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/f2cbb/backyard-clutter.jpg 800w,\n/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/1789c/backyard-clutter.jpg 960w,\n/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/a2a79/backyard-clutter.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/1dd6e/backyard-clutter.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/67b76/backyard-clutter.webp 320w,\n/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/8df11/backyard-clutter.webp 500w,\n/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/98a65/backyard-clutter.webp 800w,\n/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/1dd6e/backyard-clutter.webp 960w,\n/static/2dd8b8f1b972dfeb5e7d60568d96381f/7aa54/backyard-clutter.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Here Are 6 Organizing Tips to Tidy Up Your Yard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"00f4152c-89c8-58e5-a4c5-8086d747d6cb","slug":"value-well-kept-landscape","path":"/blog/landscaping/value-well-kept-landscape/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Danielle Bradley is a botanist who experiments with native plants from every region in the U.S. She’s dedicated to companion planting without the use of pesticides. Her own garden is filled with a variety of colors and textures.","name":"Danielle Bradley","id":"7329a804-3158-5b9f-94fc-835a4923557a","path":"/author/danielle-bradley/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a840af9ee5b616963d15a622658e9612?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"7fc32475-4c73-58a8-996f-8b8d79ba2450","name":"Arizona","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/az/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"90f74182-5f0d-5dd3-8d32-576a5a21d01d","name":"Phoenix","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/az/phoenix/"}],"date":"October 3rd, 2019","excerpt":"A beautiful landscape is like the cover of a book. Neighbors and future buyers will know the inside is well-kept when the outside is pristine. A lush, green lawn also hits home with future house hunters, adding several thousand dollars to the value of your property. When it comes to Scottsdale real estate, the old […]
\n","content":"\nA beautiful landscape is like the cover of a book. Neighbors and future buyers will know the inside is well-kept when the outside is pristine. A lush, green lawn also hits home with future house hunters, adding several thousand dollars to the value of your property. When it comes to Scottsdale real estate, the old cliche of Location, location, location can be changed to Landscaping, landscaping, landscaping!
\n\n\n\nThere’s nothing like pulling up in front of your home after a hectic day and taking time to admire your yard. Your neighbors may be green with envy, especially if their yards are overgrown with tall grass, weeds, and out-of-control bushes and shrubs. All of which harbor insects, rodents, and other pests. Studies show a vibrant, green lawn also increases oxygen production. If you’re allergic to certain types of foliage, keeping your yard maintained can reduce the spread of allergens around your home. Prospective buyers, impressed with your landsdaping plan, kwil see the value of your home.
\n\n\n\nA nicely maintained yard with a deck, patio or swimming poolalso helps expand the square usable footage of your living space by allowing you to entertain outdoors. And a well-kept landscape gives your children a safe place to play as it adds to your home’s value.
\n\n\n\nDepending on the types of plants, animals, and trees that are in your area, failing to maintain your landscape can lead to property damage, which is not the curb appeal you want. Proper landscaping prevents water build-up outside and inside your home. Excess leaves and roots can clog your gutters and cause your roof to leak. Trees planted too close to your home can sink their roots in your foundation over time and crack your foundation, inviting water damage and mold. Those repairs can be costly, erode your home’s value, and, until they’re done, cut your resale value by makimg a bad first impression.
\n\n\n\nWhen the grass is greener on your side of the fence, your neighbors will be encouraged to keep up with their landscaping. This benefits the entire neighborhood by increasing property values. Few people want to buy a home next to a trashy yard! Many a neighborhood feud has started with code enforcement complaints and city fines for unkept lawns. Homeowner association covenants and restrictions often pile on, adding their own HOA penalty fees for failing to mow lawns, on top of the fines you’ll face for violating city ordinances.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5CTjjI_t-amIvMuqat0qEsidUHXsCtwS48adpLWCz42pbWxvVGrCDBywGsbnXtKnFwAm0DBbHtUZ1Ma825upNTbwO5zWdfrCz4Neu67dMtE4THKVpEgbcmCSHhAT31LetGqJJa8p\")
Green lawns save you plenty of green as they add to your home’s value. It costs more money to restore a yard that is ravaged by weeds, dry patches, and unruly foliage. The more severe your lawn issues are, the more it will cost to repair them, and the longer the process will take. Homebuyers and potential buyers won’t want to wait for you to deal with your front yard landscape issues. When plants and shrubs are groomed properly and weeds are treated early, you can tend to your yard on a regular basis in a fraction of the time.
\n\n\n\nMaintaining your landscape is an underrated home improvement that can do wonders for your home. If you find it overwhelming, you can hire a professional to take care of it for you. You’ll save money on repairs in the long run.
\n","title":"The Value of a Well-Kept Landscape","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/1789c/money_shot.jpg","srcSet":"/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/107df/money_shot.jpg 320w,\n/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/293e9/money_shot.jpg 500w,\n/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/f2cbb/money_shot.jpg 800w,\n/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/1789c/money_shot.jpg 960w,\n/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/a2a79/money_shot.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/1dd6e/money_shot.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/67b76/money_shot.webp 320w,\n/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/8df11/money_shot.webp 500w,\n/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/98a65/money_shot.webp 800w,\n/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/1dd6e/money_shot.webp 960w,\n/static/5d713d4a23bad4a6a409511a60686f96/7aa54/money_shot.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Value of a Well-Kept Landscape | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}}],"postCity":{"node":{"name":"Oklahoma City","slug":"oklahoma-city","state":{"name":"Oklahoma","slug":"ok"},"suburbs":[{"name":"Choctaw","slug":"choctaw"},{"name":"Norman","slug":"norman"},{"name":"Bethany","slug":"bethany"},{"name":"Guthrie","slug":"guthrie"},{"name":"Blanchard","slug":"blanchard"},{"name":"Edmond","slug":"edmond"},{"name":"Yukon","slug":"yukon"},{"name":"Chickasha","slug":"chickasha"},{"name":"El Reno","slug":"el-reno"}],"parentCity":null}}}}}![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DsPkopj6RHtdHE9HXf7RqbO-yXYwD86hdHCc0tsrSi6xzCct--93MLshKTLLinUp9WEWX8F_Iu-L70jTEGFkcs2mB6MWgb-8NJzK0bLeyNtaXvNb3P5FE9OWVaUfyjlPAnTfa_bxLicAq9n3hw\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YmTKd0J57L8dY9g5QF2mSB1CxKB91eK2a--hUA-er__hTUSNFLx6uSZPHU1X2FMPfgDOqVnaUAOTYiVD4MuZDIZg_9MFyz0b5qtU6GeUO0HkktkJ508hYOGztv7DvW_KJ5s0i-yxUZgQYdWoXA\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jvjmWlU9qi9KgOf5g7dtsfdSWxfo8Uv2dyuFP89PYdD_fSP0fTG289tOhbu0PhQ722GWPo297sZoJn7OObm7I1h9wbD07tcFmTE2BYghR_siM3eOlmgV7eYX1VCI7OQ-7oYTMY09l1VUTLQK2w\")
![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/patio-faylyne-cc20-1024x678.jpg\")