Green Pages March 2009: Going Native in Your Garden
GREENTIPS:
q In shady gardens, plants native to woodlands offer foliage and bloom in early spring before trees leaf out. They are good for alternatives to, or for mixing in with, the ferns, astilbe, and hostas that many local landscapers choose.
q Some non-native plants have become pests. Because they are not kept in check by other plants, plant eaters, and parasites, they spread aggressively crowding out native species in forests, meadows, and wetlands. Check the US Fish and Wildlife Service link below for invasive species to avoid.
q As native species gardening has become popular, some nurseries are specializing in them, and even larger commercial nurseries have begun special sections and/or labels for natives. Encourage this trend by asking for them!
q Walk and learn. Our area has a number of gardens where you can see native species growing and learn about them (see links below). Notice what you are seeing as you enjoy area nature trails and parks. Take a camera so you can identify what you’ve seen that you’d like to have in your garden! But NEVER take samples from the wild—aside from damaging ecology, it’s illegal!
q Keep an eye out for these annual events for information/sales of native plants:
Native Plant Symposium and Plant Sale: The National Arboretum
Held in March (this year March 28, 2009)
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Education/events.html
Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale, Alexandria Virginia
Held last Saturday in April (this year April 25, 2009), and last Saturday in September (this year Sept. 26, 2009)
http://home.earthlink.net/~sknudsen/
Audubon Naturalist Society Nature Fair
Held in May (this year May 3, 2009)
http://www.audubonnaturalist.org (click on Special Events)
GREENSOURCES:
Local places where you can visit and learn:
q US Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C. http://www.usbg.gov/gardens/national-garden.cfm
q Green Springs Gardens Park, Alexandria, VA http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp/
q Brookside Gardens, Wheaten, MD http://www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/brookside/
Online resources:
q Maryland Native Plant Society
Native Plants to use, and where to find them!
q The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
One of the first organizations to promote native species gardening.
q University of Maryland: “Native Plants: What, When and Where”
Download this booklet describing habit, color, bloom time, required soil, water, and light conditions. Well-organized for use in making selections. Take it with you shopping!
http://www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/NativePlantsofMD.pdf
q US Fish and Wildlife Service
Native Plant Guides for Maryland, and the Chesapeake watershed. Also Invasive Species Guide.
http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/bayscapes/bsresources/bs-nativeguides.htm
q What’s Native
A great resource with lots of pictures!
q These are commercial sites for buying native plants and seeds online.* There are many more, but these are included because the information they offer is particularly useful and well organized, even if you don’t order.
Fairweather Gardens www.fairweathergardens.com
Niche Gardens www.nichegardens.com
Wildflower Farm www.wildflowerfarm.com
Local Nurseries Offering and/or Specializing in Natives: *
§ American Plant www.americanplant.net
§ Behnke www.behnke.com
§ Merrifield Garden Center www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
§ Nature By Design www.nature-by-design.com
* In providing this information, the Town does not formally endorse or warrant these companies, or their products or services. The Town encourages all residents to perform the screening they feel necessary to determine if these companies are suitable for their needs.
GREENTALK:
© Copyright 2005, The Town of Chevy Chase
Website Design by Calvert Design Group