Native Plants

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Tuesday - December 24, 2013

From: Lakewood, OH
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Lists, Shrubs, Wildflowers
Title: Native Backyard for Lakewood OH
Answered by: Brigid and Larry Larson

QUESTION:

I would like to do away with the lawn in my backyard in favor of native plants that would require minimal maintenance, including flowering plants that would encourage pollinators.

ANSWER:

That’s a great idea! Mr Smarty Plants did that years ago and the maintenance really is minimal, although we have flowers near year around that we need to go out and admire!

After that though – Your statement is a really broad question, so I’m going to point you to a bunch of resources that will be a good starting point for your project.

The Wildflower Center has at least three different areas where you can find appropriate information. For specific parts of your project, there is a good list of “How-to” articles with directions. Mr Smarty Plants has also answered a few questions from Ohio and/or on establishing a native garden. Here is a sample discussion on Plants for a windbreak on a slope in OH. You can find even more by searching Mr Smarty Plants archives for either Ohio, or a topic of interest [I often just read this for enjoyment!]. Finally – The Official best way to locate good Ohio natives and/or wildflowers that will prosper in your garden is the Wildflower Centers list of Recommended Species for Ohio.

Of course, you don’t need to just use our resources. For more local advice and help, you may want to contact the Native Plant Society of NE Ohio, and possibly the Ohio State University Extension office. I also found a list of Wildflowers in the US Wildflowers Database of Wildflowers in Ohio.

When I make a list of recommended wildflowers, I generally consider that if an attractive plant is in both databases – Then it is very likely to be a good choice. Here are a few that fit that criterion!

Campanulastrum americanum (American bellflower)

Monarda fistulosa (Wild bergamot)

Liatris spicata (Dense blazing star)

Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed susan)

Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf coneflower)

Lobelia siphilitica (Great blue lobelia)

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower)

And don’t forget some shrubs or small trees!

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Common elderberry)

Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw)