We all know that gardening chores can be endless. So do yourself a favor—grow easy plants (a.k.a. natives). Then you won’t be spending all your time working in the garden, you’ll be able to rest and relax out there too.
What? You say you don’t know how to relax? Take a lesson from nature. Did you ever see an uptight bird or frazzled bee or burdened butterfly multi-tasking? Of course not, they’re too smart! Maybe you need some tutoring from your friendly neighborhood bees. Do you think they worry? They spend their days lazily floating from one delightful flower nectar to another, enjoying the sumptuous banquet that nature lays out for them.
OK, let’s get you started on the road to relaxation. Let’s talk about native plants. Here’s why they should be in your garden:
1. they’re easy to grow because they belong in your neighborhood
2. they take care of themselves (low maintenance!)
3. many are drought resistant (no lugging around a heavy hose)
4. they attract birds, bees & butterflies
5. they offer food and shelter to wildlife
6. success is practically guaranteed
7. they're beautiful!
Here's an example of a beautiful native plant, the Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)...
By the way, a native plants garden is a great project for your kids. They’re never too young to start developing an interest in horticulture. Who knows, you may have a future Longwood Gardens director in your family.
If you'd like a list of native plants (trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals), call our Master Gardener hotline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays or Thursdays (9 AM- 12 NOON) and we’ll send it right out to you. We can also send you lots of information to help you create an environmentally friendly garden.
And when you're planning your garden, don’t forget the # 1 rule of gardening—the right plant in the right place. In other words, don’t put a shade lover in full sun or a moisture lover in a dry spot.
While researching for this article, I discovered a beautiful and informative website, Connecticut Botanical Society's Gallery of Wildflowers Check it out!
Here's a heads up on a great one day event--our annual Fall Fest at Smedley Park on Saturday, September 29. Save the date!
Would you like to attend one of our Second Saturdays classes? You can find our Events Calendar online at http://delaware.extension.psu.edu/MG/Default.html
Do you have a gardening question? Call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
