Butterflies and bees are nowhere in sight on this snowy day in March. Still, the flowers and vegetables that we consider for spring depend on pollinators. Today’s features include thinking bees, Monarchs, and native plants that draw pollinators. Thinking Bee: From the first bees we see on fruit trees, to summer zinnias, to cucumbers in the … Continue reading
Filed under Perennials and Grasses …
Dibbles and Bits
Inching toward warm spring days, we look at right plant choices for the right location with native origin plant examples. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pupurea) is a drought-tolerant perennial of the daisy family that grows from a tap root. Echinacea is native to eastern and central North America prairieland open woods and is common in yards of … Continue reading
Bleeding Hearts of Coming Spring
Asian Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapros spectabilis) are perennials that tolerate this region’s cool springs and changeable weather well. They begin to grow along with daffodils and bloom into the summer among plants like hostas in a bed of nutrient wood chips. A partial or full-shade plant that grows to about 30 inches tall, this one is situated … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
With additional snow cover locally, the USDA average last frost date (April 27th- May 3rd in this region) is not top of mind. Before planting, we consider spring drought preparations, a drought-tolerant bee balm, and what’s left at the low water mark. Drought may continue into spring in this area, and lawn grass displays a lack … Continue reading
Create a Sustainable Yard
A blanket of snow covers our yard. Before winter dormancy ends and the spring rush begins, there is time to think about parts of the yard to reinforce, add to, or change. A February 2023 Fine Gardening magazine feature shows how a professional might access their yard. It stirred some thoughts about my own yard. … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
Of course, it is easy to leave climate change concerns to others. Today’s post is a thumbnail about how climate change can impact plant growth and then a possible step we can take toward sustaining ourselves and our gardens. The photos are from a time to think at Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, a state … Continue reading
Precious Water Resource
This week, a news story aired about the nearest large city exploring additional sources of drinking water. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the middle of the United States, has experienced the second year of drought, and aquifers need to be recharged. Water is a precious resource for humans, plants, and animals. Also this week, a … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
This week, we’re considering two of the many amazing features of plants—adaptability to where they are planted and drawing pollinators. Specialized plant roots help bulbs and corms grow at the correct depth. Tulips are a spring favorite and many were planted earlier this fall in our region. Guides are helpful to find the correct depths … Continue reading
Protect Our Nature
We often watch for stop-over Monarch butterflies as they migrate south in August – October in this region. They show us that animals (and plants) need a suitable place to live. In our Northern Plains location of the middle-United States Monarch flyway to Mexico, September is a good month for Monarch sightings. Native Agastache is … Continue reading
Dibbles and Bits
Parks, leaf color, and busy wild turkeys are topics today at Plant Exchange Blog as Autumn transition continues. Parks may add an important nature experience because more than 83% of Americans live in a city. Brooklyn Bridge Park of 85 acres along New York City’s East River is featured in the September/October 2022 Horticulture Magazine. Landscape challenges included … Continue reading
Plant Exchange Blog 