Native/Invasive

Evergreen Native Ferns

– Posted in: Native/Invasive

It's so easy to think that nothing is living or growing under the snow, but all you need is a January thaw and a stroll in the woods to see that there are plants that have not given in to the onslaught of cold and snow. On my strolls over the years I have noticed that there are two ferns that remain evergreen in our woods during the winter. I know a fern when I see one, and that's about it. I thought it was about time I taught myself a bit more. Join me as I try to identify these two ferns.

Improving On Nature

– Posted in: Native/Invasive

Can anyone improve on nature? Maybe it's better to admit that what I'm doing isn't natural--it's gardening. Gardening in the most naturalistic way possible. Gardening to make the woods more easily enjoyed by humans. Tinkering and tweaking to yes--make it more beautiful.

Is It A Garden Plant Or A Weed Wildflower?

– Posted in: Native/Invasive

Every flower is a wildflower--a native plant--somewhere, though this is easy to forget when that "somewhere" is on the other side of the world. On the other hand, it's easy to take our own native wildflowers for granted, or even despise them as weeds. And many popular garden plants native to North America had to be recognized as garden-worthy by gardeners in other countries before they were adopted by gardeners here. So, how do you tell if a plant belongs in the garden, or is a wildflower--or a weed?

Jewelweed: Wildflower Wednesday

– Posted in: Native/Invasive

If you have to have a weed in your garden, jewelweed is a great choice. In fact, if it doesn't grow in your garden, I feel a little bit sorry for you. It's as nice a weed as a gardener could wish for--if a gardener needed to wish for weeds. Read more to find out why!

What’s Blooming In My Damp Meadow

– Posted in: Native/Invasive, What's up/blooming

I get so engrossed with gardening around the house during the summer that I tend to ignore the wilder parts of our property. I decided to remedy that and take a walk through our damp meadow, and I'm glad I did. Why don't you join me, and we'll see what we can see. There are a few plants I didn't realize were growing on our property, and plenty of the usual suspects. Maybe you can help me identify some of them!