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Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC

Specializing in plants native to mid-Atlantic ecosystem

August 6, 2020

Species Spotlight – The Native Grasses Part One

Looking for an easy way to add deer resistant ecological value to your landscape?  Native grasses are the answer!   They provide food and shelter in many different ways for insects, birds, and mammals.  Not to mention, their fall and winter interest is outstanding.

Ecological Benefits

During the growing season, many species of butterfly larvae (caterpillars) feed on the blade of native grasses.  In fall and winter, grasses provide protection and nesting material for birds, small mammals, and insects.  They are especially useful to the overwintering larvae and adults of beneficial insects.

Grass seed heads provide food for songbirds, insects, and small mammals.  Their tough foliage clumps, whether dormant or growing, slow storm-water run-off, allowing it to re-infiltrate the water table.

Did you ever wander through a grassy area on hot sunny day and spend a lot of time waving you hand in front of your face because all the bugs were flying around?  That’s a good thing!  Grasses support a tremendous number of insects, which are essential to the ecosystem.

Below ground, the deep roots of native grasses provide more unseen ecological benefits.  They help stabilize the soil and reduce erosion.  About a third of the massive root system of native grasses is replaced with new roots each season.  As the ‘retiring roots’ decompose, they return nutrients to the soil, increasing its fertility.

There is one beloved insect in particular that benefits from native grasses – the firefly.  These nocturnal insects spend most of the day on the ground, concealed by long grasses.  At night, they crawl to the tips of grass blades and fly into tree branches to signal for mates.

Design Benefits of Native Grasses

If you intersperse tall native grasses in a tall perennial planting, they help hold the plants and heavy seed heads erect, so they don’t ‘flop’– allowing birds, pollinators (and you!) to spot them.  Planted in large groups or swaths, they provide a dramatic element and can serve as a dense screen.  Their golden fall color heralds the changing seasons.  Their tall seed heads sway in the wind,  adding movement to the still winter landscape.

Lower growing species such as Prairie Dropseed or Purple Love Grass provide fine textured mounds and can be used as a specimen plant or filler.

Try any of the native grasses in containers. They will make a dramatic vertical statement and provide interest even when the rest of the container plants are dormant.  Dried grasses are an excellent addition to flower arrangements, too.

Maintenance

There is no need to cut native grasses back in the fall – their dormant blades and seed heads provide important ecological benefits.  If they start to flop or break under the weight of ice or snow, cut or trim for neatness sake if you wish.  In spring, cut back last year’s growth if you want them to look fresh and green throughout.  If not, it’s fine to let the dormant grass blades mix in with the new.

If you want to divide one of the clump forming grasses, do it in fall.  Cut it back so you can see the clump  Dig the clump out of the garden and use a sharp shovel, an axe or hacksaw to divide the clump into smaller pieces.  Replant immediately.

See Part Two for descriptions of various species.

Article by Louise Schaefer / Plants

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1 day ago

Want some blueberries this season? We have some beautiful blueberry bushes that will bear fruit this year.

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1 day ago

We just released gallon-sized native deciduous and evergreen azaleas/Rhododendrons. Color of flowers is noted after the botanical name :)

Azaleas (deciduous):

Flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) ORANGE
Pinxter azalea (R. periclymenoides) PINK
Piedmont azalea (R. canescens) PINK
Rose shell azalea (R. prinophyllum) PINK
Onocee azalea (R. flammeum) ORANGE
Swamp azalea (R. viscosum) WHITE
Sweet azalea (R. arborescens) WHITE
Coast azalea (R. atlanticum) WHITE

“Rhodies” (evergreen):

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) WHITE
‘Roseum Elegans’ (Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Roseum Elegans’) MAGENTA-PINK
‘Boursalt’ (Rhododendron catawbiense ‘Boursalt’) MAGENTA-PINK

We also have limited amounts of some in larger containers:

Great laurel (R. maximum) WHITE
Sweet azalea (R. arborescens) WHITE
Coast azalea (R. atlanticum) WHITE
Flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) ORANGE
Swamp azalea (R. viscosum) WHITE

We also have plenty of mountain laurel left (Kalmia latifolia) including:

Straight species
‘Olympic Fire’
‘Elf’ (dwarf)
... See more

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3 days ago
Climate-Wise Landscaping

Replace the seasonal non-native plantings that need to be replaced every few months with native perennial borders. And instead of wide spaces of mulch between the plants, place them close together so that there is little room for weeds. This practice is part of climate-wise landscaping because it reduces soil disturbances, which reduces the carbon released to the air and it reduces the large footprint of repetitive production and transport to supply new plants every season. The perennials will last for many seasons and require much less labor.
www.climatewiselandscaping.com
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2 weeks ago

Trees, trees, and more trees! Oh, and shrubs, shrubs, and yes, more shrubs! We have a wonderful selection of native trees and shrubs available now. Woody plants provide interest all year long, height to the garden, vital habitat for wildlife, and years of satisfaction as you watch your plant grow into a mature specimen! They are the foundation of our greater, forested ecosystem spanning most of eastern North America, which historically covered nearly 100% of Pennsylvania’s landmass. Today, forested land still makes up the majority of Pennsylvania’s total land area, at about 58% coverage. Below are some of the trees we have now, keep an eye for another post soon about shrubs :)

Available now:

*Trees*

Shagbark hickory
Shellbark hickory
Red maple
Sugar maple
Red oak
Willow oak
Black oak
Shumard oak
Pin oak
Beech
Sycamore
Fringetree
Red bud
Carolina silver bell
White pine
Red pine
Virginia pine
Pitch pine
White spruce
Red spruce
Eastern Red Cedar
American linden
Sassafrass
Bald cypress
Franklinia
Sweetbay magnolia
River birch
‘Heritage’ River Birch
Yellow Birch
Mountain ash
... See more

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The nursery tour was very interesting and everyone's hospitality was very appreciated, thanks!

Verna - Allentown, PA

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC
A WBE Certified Woman Owned Business
Promoting Native Plants Since 2003

2415 Route 100, Orefield, PA 18069
(610) 395-2570
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