Native Plant Catagory List

21 years ago

While trying to plan for a more xeriscaped garden in future years, I came across a site which has useful native plant catagories with specific plant information. It gave me ideas as to what I may want to incorporate here with native plants, which are more tolerable to drought conditions.

Native Plant Lists

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Comments (4)

lrobins
21 years ago
I hope to post some information here on native (eastern US) plants (mainly herbaceous) for drought conditions. I'm assembling the information from several sources: native plant nurseries, other on-line guides, books. One thing I've noticed is that different authorities do not fully agree on the cultural requirements of native species: wet vs. dry, heavy (clay) vs. light (sandy) soil, sun vs. shade. Why the disagreement?

(a) Controlled experiments, growing each species under a variety of conditions (soil type, light level, and moisture), would provide the most accurate answers to these questions. I doubt that such experiments have been done.

(b) Genetic variation within the species may lead to a variation in growth requirements. (Some individuals in a given species may be more drought tolerant than other individuals in the same species.)

(c) Most plants become more drought tolerant as their root systems develop. This is especially true of plants that produce deep tap roots (up to 20 feet deep for some herbaceous species). The genus Baptisia (False Indigo) is a good example.

(d) Related to (c), drought tolerance may depend on whether the plant is in its preferred soil type. For example, a species that prospers in sandy loam might wilt in clay soil because the roots can't grow in clay.

Sorry to confuse things, but I think it's important to point out that drought tolerance isn't as "cut and dried" as a simple list might suggest. The best advice is probably to take an experimental approach, and try a number of different plants to see what works best in your garden.
dawnstorm
21 years ago
Every year at the county fair, the Montgomery County agricultual extension has a very nice display of nothing but native plants. I've also found the Univ of MD extension's site to be super helpful (can't remember its URL though :/)
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Why do people do that? Everything looks better with large trees! After hearing that, I think I'd be inclined to leave the trees and wait to see signs of distress. It does seem like maples can take a lot. The house across the street had a maple that was planted directly under the power lines, so aside from the trunk, the top of the tree was cut in a C. To say it looked odd...! My best friend had maple trees over in Braidwood. She really wanted to plant under them. The roots were practically on top of the soil, so she had someone haul in soil and we spread it out over top of all those roots. When it came to planting, we were forever running into roots. She got out the sawzall and that's how we cut the roots. I've read that you don't put soil over roots, there was no talking her out of it. That was over 18 yrs ago and the trees, when they moved out 2 yrs ago, were still fine. Now this is nothing compared to what's happened to yours. So I don't know. It's just with the birds that you're seeing, I'd be inclined to leave them. I do know a guy though that has a sawzall. I'd probably go ahead and buy a redbud and borrow that sawzall and go ahead and plant the redbud. But that's me and I've done it before. Gray dogwood must be more tame for other people. That was another shrub that we had to remove. At the back of our very small lot, we have a privacy fence. The gray dogwood was near it, then we made a path leading from the garage to a door we'd made in the fence. After 4 yrs the dogwood was coming up on the other side of the fence, the other side of the path and you could tell that the roots were going under the garage. We've got cracks in the floor, so who knows when it's going to pop up! Ha! I planted Silky dogwood the year after I planted the Gray dogwood. I'm not finding the Silky to be anywhere near as aggressive as the Gray was. They have it for sale at the plant sale you're going to. It's Latin name is Cornus obliqua. I also have the Corylus americana. I like it, I like it a lot. For some reason, after I planted it, the Japanese Beetles showed up. I'd never had them before. Maybe just a coincidence. It's a spreader too, but much easier to control with the spade. There's also more viburnums that would do great in shade. I know it says sun to part sun, most of mine are in shade and doing great.
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I would definitely suggest you call Tinton Falls Middle School and Swimming River School. They're my local schools who both have gardens and garden clubs and they lack money and help. If that interests you email me at viki.reed@comcast.net and I'll find the person you need to talk to.
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Hello to all, I have a big list of native plant suppliers in the northeast north america biome. Because of the lack of suppliers here in New England, this is for companies that'll ship their plants. It's broken down by plant type (trees, shrubs, wildflowers) and by region. It also has a number of native botanical information sources. I find that the nurseries have all sort of interesting information as to the botanical sites. I have no idea how to post it here; if you want a copy let me know. Allan Jamaica Plain, MA aihrer@gmail.com
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I am in the same boat. Live in the same area and I have a wooded area that I am trying to tackle. I have found a few plants that are doing well in the shade and sansy soil, Christmas fern, Rose of Sharon, which you find everywhere here, and lily of the vally, another plant that seems to be in the yard of older homes. Thank you for the above link Norhteast I will be using it. OH by the way a garden center in Waterford Nj has some of the natural plants for this area, it is Popes Gardens, I am not sure where you live but a great variety not expensive either.
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Carrie B
21 years ago
If you're ever in the area (near New Hope, PA just over the Delaware River from NJ), Bowman's Hill is a beautiful place, and they propigate and sell native plants.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
farmfreedom
18 years ago
aloe vera or medicine plant , prickly pear cactus (fruit strain ) there is also a Galopagos strain that is taller.
jojoba prized for its oil, will grow in desert conditions.
other possibilities that might work but might not: beach plums (the plums are the size of a nickel and have stones they are a low shrub) , bilboa tree from Africa , eucaliptus from Austrailia, monkey puzzel tree Patagonia ,
peach , almond . the most drought resistant corn is an american Indian strain sold by www.nativeseedsearch.org but i don't remember the strain. read up on deserts around the world and keep us posted on what you find . The most arid desert is in South America Argentina I think . check "xeriscape"or "xeroscape"

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Native Plant Catagory List

Comments (4)

lrobins

dawnstorm

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Carrie B

farmfreedom

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