The Importance of Native Plants in Landscaping

Milkweed Plant

Milkweed plant is known for attracting monarchs, the milkweed plant is a native perennial that has clusters of showy, pink to mauve flowers and lance-shaped leaves, attracting a host of pollinators while thriving in moist, wetland habitats. They boast numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Its unique features contribute to outdoor spaces' aesthetic appeal and ecological value. With clusters of vibrant and captivating flowers, it adds a burst of color and charm to gardens while also serving as a vital component in supporting local ecosystems. The Common Milkweed is the plant that most people think of when the term ‘milkweed’ comes to mind. It is a tall plant that is noted for its pink to purple flowers. It’s one of 115 species of plants of the Asclepiadaceae family. The genus Asclepias is named after Asklepios, who was the Greek god of medicine. This is appropriate because it is known for containing high levels of cardiac glycosides, which are used in some treatments for heart disease. This same substance also serves as the only source for Monarch butterfly larvae. Where Does Milkweed Grow? It is native to the midwestern and eastern regions of the United States and Canada, but it can be found further west as well. It is most commonly found in more open habitats like pastures, prairies, fields, and along roadsides. It needs total sun to grow but can tolerate being under light shade as well. You’ll normally find it commonly clustered together into large patches, which are called colonies. Description of Milkweed It can grow to be over five feet tall. The foliage can grow up to 8 inches, elongated nearly four inches wide, and is somewhat thick. The upper part of the oval-shaped leaves is usually darker greenish in color, while the underside of the leaves is a much lighter green and sometimes even white. Both the leaves and the stems will reveal a milky latex when they are cut. The flowers themselves can grow to be nearly an inch long and half an inch wide with a midrib that runs beneath them. They have a pink to purple coloring over them with a greenish tint and are very sweetly scented. Why Gardeners Like Milkweed The pink-to-purple colors contrast well against lush green fields and dry yellow prairies alike. Gardeners like it for its distinctive appearance and sweet, fragrant aromas. Another reason why gardeners often like it is that it serves as the host plant for the beautiful monarch butterfly. These butterflies will lay their eggs on it, and as mentioned previously, the nectar also serves as the only source of food for the Monarch larvae. Gardeners who like monarch butterflies or are otherwise concerned about their declining population can grow it to provide these butterflies with a natural habitat. The Milkweed plant is a flowering perennial named for its cardenolide-bearing latex, which is beneficial to butterflies and other insects. Monarch butterflies use and require specific species, including Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata, as host plants. Their genus name, Asclepias, honors Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine.  Asclepias contains hundreds of species native to Africa, North America, and South America. Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are native to the American continents and common across the central and eastern United States. The sun-loving Asclepias syriaca grows naturally in fields, prairies, and pastures, while Asclepias incarnata grows along creeks, ponds, and bogs. Their flowers typically bloom from June through August. Asclepias produces complex blossoms that have similarities to orchids. Their large, spherical clusters of five-petaled blossoms are found at the top of it's thick stems. Each Asclepias growth usually carries two to five clusters of flowers. The individual blossoms are about three-quarters of an inch long and emit a strong, sweet fragrance. Asclepias syriaca has greenish-pink to rosy pink blooms, while Asclepias incarnata's flowers tend toward a brighter purplish-pink hue. It can grow up to five feet tall. Their thick, bright green leaves are six to eight inches long and two to three-and-one-half inches wide. The leaves' upper surfaces are darker than their whitish undersides. In nature and in landscapes, Asclepias plants form colonies and need room to spread out. Asclepias incarnata is highly ornamental and fairly easily contained, making it well-suited to perennial, butterfly, and pollinator gardens. Asclepias syriaca works well in meadow gardens without defined borders. They grow easily from seed and spread as their rhizomes expand. They can be propagated in the late fall or early spring. Ecology Of Milkweed Plant Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are the required food sources for monarch butterflies, beetles, moths, and other insects that evolved to feed on their nectar. In the midwestern and northeastern regions of the United States, their leaves are the most important source of nourishment for monarch caterpillars, and their presence helps to fortify and increase monarch populations. Planting Milkweed Plant Will Bring the Butterflies to Your Garden If you want to encourage monarch butterflies and other pollinators to make your garden home, you'll surely want to add Asclepias to your landscape.

Golden Rod

Goldenrod is a perennial wildflower, with striking clusters of bright yellow, tufted flowers on upright stems, contrasting against its slender green leaves, and is known for attracting pollinators to gardens and meadows. It is a delightful and beneficial plant with several advantages in landscaping projects. This perennial is in the Asteraceae family and is well-regarded for its vibrant yellow flowers and ornamental qualities. Goldenrod produces long, arching spikes of small yellow flowers, creating a burst of color in the garden. The bright and sunny blooms add a touch of warmth and joy to outdoor spaces. This plant is beautiful to pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. The nectar-rich flowers serve as a valuable food source for these beneficial insects, supporting pollination in the garden and contributing to the health and diversity of the ecosystem. By planting it in the landscape, gardeners can actively promote biodiversity and contribute to the conservation of pollinators. Moreover, it is well-suited for naturalistic or wildflower gardens. Its tall and airy growth habit allows it to blend seamlessly with other native plants and wildflowers, creating a natural and harmonious landscape. When planted in groups, it makes an eye-catching display that mimics the beauty of a meadow, attracting attention and admiration from garden visitors. This plant is relatively low-maintenance, making it practical for landscape designs that require less care. Once established, the plant is generally drought-tolerant and can withstand dry periods, reducing the need for frequent watering. Additionally, it is usually resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments and promoting a more eco-friendly and sustainable landscaping approach. In conclusion, golden rod offers several benefits when landscaping projects. Its vibrant appearance, attractiveness to pollinators, suitability for naturalistic gardens, and low-maintenance requirements make it a valuable addition to parks and outdoor spaces. By incorporating it into landscape designs, enthusiasts can create visually enchanting and ecologically friendly landscapes that support pollinators and contribute to the overall beauty and health of the environment. Get your Goldenrod at TN Nursery today! Goldenrod, or Solidago, is a rich and captivating wildflower that graces the landscapes of North America, Europe, and Asia with its striking presence. This perennial herbaceous plant, often found in meadows, fields, and along roadsides, stands tall and proud, adding a touch of sunshine to its surroundings. With its slender stems reaching up to five feet, it boasts an elegant appearance that immediately catches the eye. Goldenrod Is Stunning In A Garden The leaves are lance-shaped, alternating along the stem, and possess a rich green hue contrasting the golden blooms. The blossoms typically emerge in late summer and early autumn and are the true showstoppers. Each plant bears clusters of bright, yellow, composite flowers that form plume-like inflorescences at the top of the stem. These striking blooms are composed of numerous tiny florets that create a stunning and intricate display of color, enticing pollinators such as butterflies and even hummingbirds. Its charm extends beyond its visual appeal. A gentle breeze often carries a sweet, honey-like fragrance from its flowers, filling the air with a delightful scent. This scent and the mesmerizing sight of bees buzzing busily among the blooms symbolize mid to late summer and early fall in many regions. Goldenrod Is A Long Bloomer In addition to its aesthetic and olfactory pleasures, it is vital in supporting local ecosystems. As a nectar-rich plant, it nourishes a wide variety of pollinators, contributing to the health of local bee populations and aiding in pollinating other plants. Moreover, its dense foliage offers shelter and habitat for numerous insects and small animals. Goldenrod's ability to thrive in diverse environments, from open fields to woodlands, adds to its allure, making it a resilient and enduring symbol of beauty in the natural world. Whether observed in a wild meadow or cultivated in a garden, its golden splendor continues to captivate and inspire those fortunate to encounter it.