In progress:
- Pick one grassy area at a time to make cardboard lasagna; meanwhile start the seedlings that will grow here and move them to pots when ready. First up is Jacob’s Ladder
- Plant fennel as a host plant for swallowtails
Next up:
- Organize saved seeds for next year
- In fall, plant butterflyweed, common milkweed, cardinal flower, and mountain mint in the raised beds. Can transplant later, but want to get them all started in one place so I don’t lose track.
- In spring, divide the hostas and spiderworts; give some away
Look for shade-loving natives:
- Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) — saw these on a trail in Iowa and they are gorgeous! Purchase in Spring
- Indian Pink (Spigella marilandica) Planted in cypress shade bed with Jacob’s ladder 8/26/23
- Dutchman’s Pipe Vine (Aristolochia tomentosa) — host plant for Pipevine Swallowtail Only if we get an enormous trellis to put out by the raised beds. It wants sun and climbs up to 75 feet!
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) — host plant for Spicebush Swallowtail For now, unfortunately too big–gets 12 ft tall/wide and you need multiple
- Spring Beauty (Claytonia virgnica) — always love finding these in the forest. I tried transplanting one to our garden as a kid and was devasted when it didn’t make it… but maybe growing some of my own might not be out of the question.
- Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia) –would grow well with pussytoes and oak sedge
- Crested Iris (Iris cristata) Plant in front yard, 9/16/23
- Wild Petunia (Ruellia strepens) –na, mostly wants sun; can handle light shade only
- Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata) –we have several kinds of Phlox; why not the shade-loving kind?
- Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) — have heard that this one gets out of control and gardeners aren’t necessarily a fan. But, saw some along a trail in Lee’s Summit and the bumblebees were going crazy for it. Would like to give it a try!
- Mayapples
- Wild Ginger Planted in cypress shade bed with Blue Sedge 8/26/23
- Celandine poppy Plant in front yard, 9/16/23
- Red columbine Plant in sidewalk bed with Wild Stonecrop, 9/16/23
- Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) — for winter interest Another big one… needs sun, and gets 10 ft tall
- Spring daisy (Erigeron pulchellus) — part shade, groundcover, excellent for winter pollinators Plant in front yard, 9/16/23
- Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii) — part shade, groundcover, excellent for winter pollinators–attracts Painted Lady Plant in front yard, 9/16/23
