Maximizing Your Property with Native Plants

Fiddlehead Fern

The fiddlehead ferns have furled fronds. Those of a young one, to be exact. A frond is a large divided leaf, and some botanists restrict the term's use to their group of plants. They are green in color. They are harvested for primary use as a vegetables. Before opening and reaching their full height early in the season, they are harvested by cutting them reasonably close to the ground. Fiddlehead Fern Bloom Time They bloom in the spring, where they can then be foraged or commercially harvested, thus making them seasonally available. The recommendation is to take only half of the tops per cluster or plant when picking the plants. This makes for a sustainable harvest. The season for picking, however, is short. It is about two weeks in a given area. There are three good identifying characteristics. The stem is smooth and green. They have a deep groove on the inside of the stem, shaped much like the letter 'U.' Lastly, they will have a brown, paper-like covering when emerging from the crown. Planting Fiddlehead Fern When planting Fiddlehead Fern, average to fertile soil is critical. All the better if the soil is humus-rich and in the range of neutral to acidic. They prefer light or partial shade but can handle full shade or sun if the dirt is damp enough. They must have moisture. Scorching of the leaves may occur if the soil needs to be moist enough. In the wild, they are found growing by rivers and streams. That gives way to the idea of having an exceptionally moist woodland-style garden. They thrive there if you have a garden bed near a downspout for your gutter. The Fronds Of Fiddlehead Fern The Fiddlehead Ferns form a circular cluster of feathery, slightly arching fronds. They are stiff, brown, fertile fronds covered in reproductive spores. They stick up the cluster's center in late summer and persist well through the winter. One final note: let your plants establish for a few years before harvesting.

Blue Lobelia

Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is also called Great Blue Lobelia or Blue Cardinal Flower. It is a striking native wildflower known for its bright blue tubular flowers, which grow densely along tall spikes, creating a dramatic vertical element in the garden.  Each flower has two lips: two lobes in the upper lip and three lobes in the lower lip, giving it a unique shape that resembles snapdragons. A native North American perennial, it is known for its appeal to pollinators. Blue Lobelia is hardy in USDA Zones 4-9 and grows to 2 to 3 feet tall when mature. It forms clumps as it matures. Divide the clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. It flowers from late summer to early fall (August to October), providing late-season color when many other plants have finished blooming. Blue Lobelia requires consistent moisture, making it ideal for rain gardens, pond edges, and wetland areas. It is often used to help manage stormwater and reduce runoff in these environments.  Blue Lobelia Care Watering It is a moisture-loving plant! Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. It can even handle occasional standing water in areas with wet summers, making it ideal for rain gardens or near water features. Light Requirements Blue Lobelia prefers full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, afternoon shade can help protect it from intense sunlight, which can otherwise dry the soil too quickly. Soil This plant thrives in rich, well-drained soil that holds moisture, preferably a slightly acidic to neutral soil. Mulching A 2-3 inch layer of mulch will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Fertilizing Blue Lobelia generally does not require heavy fertilizing. An early spring application of balanced fertilizer can help encourage new growth, especially in nutrient-poor soils. Deadheading and Pruning Remove the spent flowers to extend the blooming period and curb excessive self-seeding if you want to control spread. In late fall, cut back the stems to tidy up the plant for winter. Division Divide the clumps in spring every 2-3 years to maintain plant health, encourage vigor, and prevent overcrowding. Division also helps to manage its spread in the garden. Winter Care Blue Lobelia is hardy in Zones 4-9 and generally doesn't need special winter care. Applying a light layer of mulch after the ground freezes in colder zones can protect the roots from extreme cold.   Uses Of The Blue Lobelia  Blue Lobelia is a fantastic addition to rain gardens, bog gardens, ponds, and areas with moist soil. The vivid blue flowers are highly decorative and provide a stunning focal point in moist, shady garden areas or native plantings. It's great for naturalized gardens, native plantings, or wildflower meadows, where pollinators are drawn to the nectar hidden deep in the flower tube. It pairs well with complementary plants like yellow Black-eyed Susans or white asters.

Bugleweed Plant

The Bugleweed is a herb-type herbaceous plant with colorful leaves that work great as a groundcover. It is a low-maintenance, perennial plant many gardeners prefer to use as a groundcover as they also provide a splash of color with their profuse blue flower spikes. The spikes shoot out approximately six inches during the spring.  The Beauty Of The Bugleweed Plant Bugleweed produces flowers throughout the summer and into the fall but is most stunning during the spring when it has been planted in mass. Some varieties of the plant feature variegated foliage and produce blooms in pink, white, or rose. These plants grow from six to nine inches in height and achieve a diameter of about the same.  Utilizing The Bugleweed Plant  These plants make terrific borders and look incredible when mixed with other perennial flowers along an edge. Some gardeners enjoy the eye-pleasing effect when planted along stepping stones or inside rock gardens. They make a great companion to the creeping Jenny in a shady part of a lawn.  Where To Plant Your Bugleweed Plant It will grow well in moist, fertile, well-drained soil but can tolerate clay and other less nutrient soils. The plant has a creeping tendency and should not be planted near areas where it cannot spread. Edging placed along a border where the plant should not go does well to stop the creeping. When the blooms have reached a deadhead stage, a lawn mower works well to remove them. The plant will propagate through its cuttings, by being divided, and its seeds. The division can be performed at any time of the season and should be done every two years, so it is manageable. Bugleweed is a hardy plant and is not susceptible to disease or pests. It may suffer from crown rot if grown in a hot and humid environment. It also could do better in areas with better air circulation.