Table of Contents
- Shannon’s Note
- Native Plants 101 Workshop
- Native Plant Spotlight
- Upcoming Events and Sales
- Workshop Waitlist
- Backyard Ecology Resources
- Subscribe to Newsletter
Shannon’s Note
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been spending as much of my free time as possible getting a new shade garden ready. I’m spending so much time on it now because fall is the best time to plant native perennial wildflowers, grasses, vines, trees, and shrubs. Last year, I wrote a very short (4 page) e-book that explains why this is true. You can request a free copy of the e-book at: https://www.backyardecology.net/fall-planting/ .
I can’t wait to start filling the bed with some of our native goldenrods, asters, roses, bee balm, mountain mints, coneflowers, and much more. I’m also taking advantage of a few volunteer native plants like elephant’s foot (Elephantopus tomentosus) and violets (Viola sp.). Eventually, we want to put a water feature in the bed. When we get to that point, we’re planning to do a Backyard Ecology™ YouTube video showing how we do it. But that’s a little ways down the road.
Unfortunately, the bed also has A LOT of stiltgrass in it which I have to take care of before I can start planting. Luckily, this is prime time for stiltgrass removal in Kentucky. It’s just starting to flower and hasn’t started producing seeds yet. Beefsteak plant is another invasive species which is in it’s prime time for removal. There’s a little bit of beefsteak plant in the bed too, but luckily most of the bed is a little on the shady side for beefsteak plant.
In the Backyard Ecology™ Resources section of this newsletter, there are helpful links about some of the native fall blooming plants I’m planning to include in my new garden bed. I also included videos about stiltgrass and beefsteak plant because I know I’m not the only one who is battling these two invasive species this fall.
So, what projects are you hoping to complete this fall?
Transform Your Yard into a Thriving Ecosystem
Would you like to transform your yard into a thriving ecosystem that looks beautiful, fills your family’s needs, AND attracts pollinators and wildlife?
Choosing the right native plants is key to making that dream come true. But here’s a hint, the right native plants for you may not be the right native plants for someone else.
We all have unique properties and unique situations. The right native plants for you are a customized selection that considers everything that makes you and your property unique.
There isn’t a generic, cookie-cutter list of native plants that are perfect for everyone in every situation and every location. That’s why I’m offering the Native Plants 101 Workshop: Select the Right Native Plants for Your Eastern U.S. Garden.
During this 2-hour, live, interactive, online workshop, I’ll help you:
- Build confidence so you feel more empowered in your ability to choose native plants that not only support local pollinators and wildlife, but also reflect your personal aesthetic preferences.
- Save time, money, and effort by teaching you efficient strategies and how to obtain expert guidance, tools, and resources so you can select the right native plants for your yard without getting overwhelmed or wasting time and money on plants that don’t work for your location and goals.
- Overcome common challenges by providing you with practical strategies so you can find local native plant nurseries and work with your unique (and sometimes difficult) site conditions.
Early bird discount available until September 22
Native Plant Spotlight
The fall asters are an amazing and diverse group of native, perennial wildflowers which provide abundant nectar and pollen for pollinators and other flower visitors, lots of seeds for songbirds, and are host plants for a variety of caterpillars. One of my favorites is Short’s aster simply because it reaches peak bloom at a time when many of our other fall flowers are starting to fade. I commonly see it blooming in late October and early November.
Short’s aster (Symphyotrichum shortii)
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Blooms: August to October
Sun: Part sun to shade
Soil moisture: Medium
Provides food for:
- Hummingbirds (flowers, insects)
- Native bees (flowers)
- Honey bees (flowers)
- Butterflies (flowers)
- Caterpillars (foliage)
- Songbirds (seeds, caterpillars and other insects)
Upcoming Sales and Events
Native Plant Sales
Our last 2 native plant sales of the season are taking place at the end of the month. A list of everything that we will have available at the sales can be found at the event links below. We will be taking pre-orders for each event.
If you are interested in native plants and can’t make one of the scheduled events, feel free to contact us and ask if we can meet you on different date. If we can find a mutually convenient time and place to meet in Glasgow or Bowling Green, then we are happy to do so.
Educational Events
Invasive Species Workshop Waitlist
We are making plans for an invasive species workshop to be held in January 2025. Join the waitlist to be among the first to find out about the workshop details and receive super early bird registration pricing.
Backyard Ecology™ Resources
Did you know that Anthony and I produce a variety of free educational resources every week to help and encourage you as you grow native plants, create miniature ecosystems on your property, and attract pollinators and wildlife? Below are some of our free resources that you might enjoy.
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Busy Bee Nursery and Consulting
Helping you create the pollinator and wildlife habitat of your dreams, so you can enjoy your land and care for the plants and animals that also call your property home.