Did you know that April is Ohio Native Plant Month? Native plants are those that grow naturally in a region in which they have evolved. In short, they are your local plants, ones that typically have grown here for thousands of years.
Here at Hillside, we love native plants! Natives are beautiful, hardy, and easy to grow. They support our pollinator population, and help to restore and sustain natural biodiversity.
You've probably heard about how important native plants are to our environment, but maybe you've wondered exactly why planting them in your garden is so helpful. Many of the spaces that previously supported native plants have become farmland, yards, or even concrete. This means that by choosing native plants, you can turn your garden into an oasis for native pollinators as they are naturally attracted to these plants as a valuable and healthy food source. Your native plants will also provide a safe habitat - many insect species use them as places to overwinter, and many bird species find protection in them as well.
Choosing native plants is a smart gardening move for you, too! By choosing a plant native to our area, you are choosing a plant that already "knows" how to grow here. Most require very little care once established. And while all plants appreciate consistent water, most natives will survive just fine through a drought. Their roots have adapted to our climate, so they can more easily survive our extremely varied Ohio weather.
Here are some tips for choosing and growing native perennials:
Original species (or the closest varieties) are usually the hardiest and easiest to grow.
Native plants often thrive on a little bit of neglect - fertilizer will result in more foliage, but fewer of the blooms that make them so valuable to our environment. That's right...don't fertilize natives!
Once established, natives will generally do just fine with whatever water nature provides. You can plant your native in the correct spot for its sun/shade needs, and shouldn't have to touch them until they need trimmed back (usually around late March) - and even that may not be necessary .
If you are able, it is best to leave natives (and most perennials) alone through winter. In the spring, it is simple to clear away dead foliage - and this allows the plant to provide that safe spot for insects to overwinter.
So, in honor of Ohio Native Plant Month, we present to you...
Alycia's Ten Favorite Native Perennials!
10. Gaura - Wandflower
Light: Full sun
Soil: Normal, sandy, well draining
Moisture Needs: Low
Deer Resistant: No
Also known as whirling butterfly, the light, airy flowers dance in the wind and put on quite a show. Long blooming and very drought tolerant, prefers well-drained soil. Also known as wandflower, whirling butterfly, and bee blossom.
9. Liatris - Gay Feather
Light: Full sun
Soil: Normal, clay, sandy
Moisture Needs: Low
Deer Resistant: No
This prairie native is a perennial wildflower, and will bloom all summer into early fall. This long bloom season makes it especially valuable in your garden. Unique, tall purple bottle-brush spire flowers - tolerant of both humidity and dry conditions. Bonus: great in cut flower displays!
8. Amsonia - Blue Star
Light: Full sun
Soil: Normal, clay
Moisture Needs: Moderate / Regular
Deer Resistant: Yes
Tiny clumps of blue flowers shaped like…you guessed it…tiny stars! Will bloom for several weeks, and their pretty foliage provides a wonderful backdrop to other flowers the rest of the time. These plants will adapt to any soil type, but do prefer regular moisture.
7. Aquilegia - Columbine
Light: Full sun to mostly shady
Soil: Well draining, loamy to sandy
Moisture: Moderate / Regular
A little pickier of a plant - prefers loamy soil and partial shade. This makes sense when you realize that in Ohio, they grow naturally along streambeds and in woodlands. Beautiful foliage and delicate flowers in late spring - reseeds easily!
6. Monarda - Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot
Light: Full to part sun
Soil: Normal, clay
Moisture Needs: Moderate / Regular
Deer Resistant: Yes
Comes in a variety of colors, and attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and song birds! It is a wildflower native and has bright flowers and a long bloom season. Appreciates consistent, but not excessive, moisture - 1 inch of water a week is fine.
5. Solidago - Goldenrod
Light: Full sun
Soil: Normal, clay
Moisture Needs: Moderate / Regular
Deer resistant: Yes
Attracts butterflies (monarchs!) and bees - a very valuable plant for pollinators! Often confused with ragweed due to their similar looks. They are not the same plant, and despite the reputation, goldenrod does not have the same high allergy potential as ragweed. As it is native, goldenrod is NOT invasive! However, it can spread aggressively so pick your plant site with some care. A pretty cut flower.
4. Baptisia - False Indigo
Light: Full sun
Soil: Any
Moisture Needs: Low
Deer resistant: Yes
Beautiful tall blue flowers on a shrub-like plant - a large, upright perennial. Takes a few years to get going, but very resilient once it does! Extremely long-lived, but dislikes being moved. Adapts to any soil conditions. A good plant for both more formal or natural looking gardens. Blooms in late spring and early summer, and then the black seed pods can be left on the plant for interest! Beautiful green grey foliage.
3. Panicum virgatum - Switch Grass
Light: Full to half sun
Soil: Any
Moisture Needs: Moderate / Regular
Deer resistant: Yes
Tall upright growth provides interest into fall and winter! An important prairie grass. Tolerates clay soil and drought. Provides shelter and food for songbirds.
2. Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ - Giant Hyssop
Light: Full sun
Soil: Any
Moisture Needs: Low
Deer resistant: Yes
Deer resistant and beautiful - tall flower spikes attract butterflies, bees, and of course, hummingbirds! It does prefer well-drained soil, but ‘Blue Fortune’ is closer to the original species and will tolerate wet roots better than some of the other varieties. Tolerant of dry conditions - a tough plant with few problems!
And, her favorite native perennial is...
Purple Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea
Light: Sun
Soil: Normal, clay
Moisture Needs: Low
Deer resistant: Yes
This plant is simple to grow, drought tolerant, and will do fine in clay soil. Pollinators love it, and if you leave the dead seedheads after the flower is done blooming, you will attract goldfinches who love the seeds (they perch right on the seedhead)! A great cut flower.
If we've piqued your interest, stop by and see us - we carry all of these plants in our greenhouse! (Goldenrod and Columbine are on order, the rest are currently on our shelves). Hoping you're inspired to give one (or more!) of these wonderful plants a try!
Happy Gardening!
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