this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2023
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Native Plant Gardening

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Why native plants?

According to the The National Audubon Society:

Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals.

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I own this 1 ft wide, 30 ft long strip between my driveway and the neighbor's property. It's steeply angled the whole length due to my pavement being higher than the neighbor's yard. Grass turf would be difficult and awkward to trim in this location. I would prefer to plant something native and perennial that won't invade the neighbor's lawn. Ideas so far is dwarf ornamental grasses (likely not native), sun tolerant hostas (not native), maybe coneflower. Any ideas?? Midwest US Zone 5, dryish soil and sunny with some late afternoon shade.

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[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If you like the look of long grass, try a sedge. It's native, looks nice, and you can find a variety that grows in those conditions. If some spreads to the neighbor's yard, it will just get mown down.

[–] Bridger@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] thickslicedham@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] Bridger@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Depending on the neighbor, I guess.

[–] Bridger@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 year ago

Land mines.

[–] LallyLuckFarm@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] thickslicedham@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh that is very pretty! I'm worried my area might be too dry for this plant. Only way to find out is to try it!

[–] dumples@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Prairie Blue Eyed Grass is listed to grow down to dry. It should work in your spot

[–] paysrenttobirds@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I like the sedge idea, but maybe mix in joe-pye weed for some color and maybe butterfly action and new jersey tea (ceanothua americanus) for a low maintenance shrubbery and more butterflies. The shrubs may need some pruning to stay narrow, but probably a twice-yearly thing, they aren't crazy.

[–] thickslicedham@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh I see there's some dwarf Joe Pye that would look great with sedge! Maybe some milkweed also?

[–] dumples@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

We have a small strip between our garage and ally that is similar size so we don't have to deal with spread. We have done lots of different flowers from Prairie Moon. We have brown eyed susans, purple prairie clover, partridge pea, smooth asters, pussie toes. Most we just planted so we will see how it looks in a few years when they are all established. So you can go with a mix.

However, if you want to keep things small take a look at Flawn which sells flower lawn replacements. We've had white Dutch clover for a few years in the grass which we love. We're seeding self heal now so we will see how it looks in the spring

[–] Blamemeta@lemm.ee -2 points 1 year ago

Native plants, surround with small rocks, make a garden

That or decrotative rocks.