Native Plants

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

We all live in different parts, but we've all got 'em. DO you grow any?

I've got a manzanita in my yard. I trimmed it mid-summer last year, and it burst into bloom this springs. They have reddish bark, pale pink-white bell-shaped blooms and dark green leaves. I don't live it's prime habitat, so we don't get any of the deliciously sticky fruit. I suspect the right bug isn't present.

[Opsa]

We have a very good Native Plant Society in our area, and I've gotten some nice ones from them.

My favorites are the yellow flag iris, which grow very well in my somewhat marshy yard.

[Opsa]

Wow, we really get gardening and forget about writing about it here, don't we? Well, that's how it should be. Doing trumps typing.

I have been researching native American medicinal herbs this winter and have found some all ready growing here, such as Artemesia ludovicina, evening primrose, cedar and white pine. Others I'll have to invite via seeds. I have been looking for sources.

[Sibling Chatty]

Start with this organization.

http://www.virginiaplantsavers.org/index.html

Then, your cooperative extension services office may have info as well.

Choose your county here:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/offices/

And...Virginia Native Plant Society
http://www.vnps.org/

North Carolina's not too far away. Their Uni has some purchasable items on their site, I think.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/herbs/
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/staff/jmdavis/medicinal.html

Oh, Mountain State University in West Virginia has a native plant program. Once again, they're fairly local to you, and may be of help. I don't have a link, I just remember reading about their program.

(Most links from a link in my bookmarks... as I am totally off the wall in what I bookmark...)

[Pachyderm]

Used to tell all our clients that they should be planting with native species, but the ecologist often gets ignored in the planning and development process.

There was one that pissed me off enough that I recommended Buddliasp. and Cotoneastersp. round all the doors, and the parking area. Man was a prize-winning dickhead. And it was his own new offices.

Right, Ass-hat, enjoy all the insects in the summer....

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

  Luuurve that. Mm, bet he had a great first summer.

I've added various salvia and a Russian sage to my collection, as well as a spice bush, which I ought to have planted elsewhere. I also have several valley oaks in my yard, young though they are.

[Opsa]

I have Virginia Natives bookmarked and hope to join them at some more financially stable point. Very good cause.

And speaking of good, good call Pachy. Even if Mr. Arse-Bonnet opted for ignorance, maybe someday it will dawn on him (or perhaps someone who overheard) that you were right. I think the general public will catch on eventually, it just takes time.

Hey! I got my seed order from Redwood City (http://ecoseeds.com/) today. I wanted to pass on their address to you because their service has been so fast and wonderful. This is a very tiny seed company in California which specializes in peppers, but has some very interesting heirloom seeds from other plants, as well. I've been putting in orders for organic seed catalogues for the past month, but they not only got their paper catalogue to me in one week (I'm still waiting for MOST of the others!), I ordered from them last week and got my order today. They're shipping and handling charges are way more reasonable than some others, as well. I am going to recommend them to everyone. Pass it on!

PS: I also like them because they'll send two free seed packets to your kid if your kid writes to them and asks. Just try to find a big company that'll do that! (The Opsalette asked for green bell peppers and Luffa Sponge gourd seeds, which came today, as well.)

[Darlica]

Some years ago I had similar plans for a garden, then life happened and I came to live in a flat with a balcony for seven and a half year... 

I'm still collecting books about old Scandinavian kitchen and medical herbs and I know a couple of gardens with internet shops where one can buy small plants or seeds.

[Bluenose]

My garden is mostly planted with Australian native plants.  Where possible we have used locally indigenous plants, but we have not been too fanatical about that.  As a result we get many birds into our garden and seem to have a good balance with insects and so on, the ones we get seem to be able to be coped with by the plants (caterpillars etc) and with the pond which has many frogs living in or near it, we have found that there must be a good supply of insect food for them.  We have many lizards, dragonflies and other interesting critters.  Very satisfying.

We have planted several kinds of small eucalypts as well as mallaleucas, correas, grevilleas, brachyscomes, callistomonsand many others I can't think of just now.  Funnily enough the native plants seem to do very well, even with the drought.  Who'd have thought?   

[Darlica]

Post some photos of your garden and plants Bluenose, please!

I'm curious on what a garden with a pond looks like on the other side of the world from me. 

[Bluenose]

OK, might take a couple of days...

[Opsa]

In the meantime, there are some nice photos of Blue's water garden being built here: http://toadfishmonastery.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=32&topic=464.0
I can't wait to see updates!

Today I got the D. Landreth Seed Company (http://www.landrethseeds.com) catalogue in the mail. It's big, beautiful, pretty, hot and tempting! They call themselves "The Oldest seed House in America" and specialize in heirloom and classic garden seeds.

[Black Bart]

OK, might take a couple of days...

I've seen a photo of your pond once before.  Curiously enough I'm planning a pond as well.  I've got a very typical English suburban garden which I love but it could be so much better if I had the time.

[Opsa]

Stelli's looking for advice about growing wild plants.

I got some sweetgrass plugs late last year from Redwood City Seed Company and they have been overwintering in window boxes on my front porch. I just gave them a haircut this morning and got a big fistful of dried yummy blonde honey-scented grass that I'll use in smudge sticks. New green shoots are sproinging up under these. I haven't decided where to plant them yet. Since they are grass, maybe they should stay in containers for now so they won't get lost in the regu-grass.