The most recent portion of the Prairie Garden
is too new to offer much of interest.
This area was sprayed twice with glyphosate herbicide last October and
was seeded in November and December. I
always try to plant seed at the same time of year that it is naturally being
dropped by the plant. I figure that
should give the seed the right combination of cold, heat, wet or dry conditions
necessary for germination. It’s more
successful and much easier than packaging seed and storing it for periods in
the freezer.
The glyphosate spray got rid of many of the late season
grasses and forbs, but left plenty of seeds from those early flowering
species. The bulk of the green plants
now showing are non-native species typically found in disturbed areas around
the house and yard. This is Corn
Speedwell, a low growing plant that has no fear of lawn mowers.
The only plants of any height are the Hairy
Bittercress. These little weeds forcibly
propel the ripe seeds from the pod, so you don’t want to make a close
examination without some eye protection.
Whitlow Grass, Draba verna, has petals that are split down
the middle, so the regular four petals often appear to be eight. The split
petal easily distinguishes this non-native species from the native Drabas.
Many years ago I excitedly thought these narrow leaved
seedlings to be those of a Blazing Star.
I was really disappointed when they turned out to be English Plantain.
Mouse-ear Chickweed is a rather interesting looking plant,
but it’s also one of those weedy non-natives.
Purple Dead Nettle often forms a solid mass in crop fields
and other disturbed ground. Fortunately,
I don’t have to deal with that type of infestation. Many of these non-native plants will persist
indefinitely in the Prairie
Garden , but their vigor
will be reduced by competition with the prairie natives.
Many of the native seedlings won’t become evident until
later in the season. There are a few
that show themselves early in the spring and they give me hope that my seeding
will be successful. Gray-headed
Coneflower is a rapid grower that can often flower in its first year.
Several Purple Coneflower seedlings are appearing. Besides being a great attractor of
butterflies, the Purple Coneflowers help convince the more confused individuals
that this is an actual garden and not a weed patch.
Wild Petunias are one of the few natives that readily
volunteer in the yard. It’s nice to know
that the lawn hasn’t been completely taken over by alien species.
Hi Steve
ReplyDeleteThat "purple coneflower" has a prairie dock-ish look to me. Was the latter included in your mix?
Hi James. Prairie Dock was included in my seed mix. I took another look at the plant in question, now with a couple more days growth, and find that it's not looking like nearby seedlings that are definitely Purple Coneflower. It's also not looking exactly like Prairie Dock seedlings emerging in another location. I'll keep watching and make note when I'm positive of the true identity.
ReplyDelete