Native Plants in Local Gardens and Natural Areas

Originally published in the 2022 September Issue of the WildFlower News

From Jiri Novak:

The asters in Wagner Natural Area are looking really good right now. I went there on August 22 and took some photos. The seven aster species I noticed were truly spectacular. Here’s a sampling:

L. Canadanthus modestus, great northern aster.

C. Symphyotrichum boreale, rush aster, boreale aster.

R. Symphyotrichum puniceum, purple-stemmed aster.

A couple of other photos of plants in bloom out there now:

L. Gentianopsis virgata subsp. macounii, Macoun's fringed-gentian

R. Sium suave, common water-parsnip

WN: Thank you, Jiri, for these. Canadanthus modestus, great northern aster, is very showy and is suitable for wetlands and acreages. It tends to be too much of a spreader for regular city gardens.

From Sue Panteluk:

Slumber party in the gailardias in my garden. August 23, 2022

I guess the slumber party didn't work out! August 26, 2022.

WN: Aww…guess they preferred their own bed!

From Judith Basisty: Some of the plant beds on my acreage near Cooking Lake- a mix of native wildflowers and non-natives.

L. Joe Pye weed, giant hyssop, goldenrod species with monarda in foreground and non-native delphiniums. C. Goldenrod sp., large northern aster, showy milkweed, Joe Pye weed and giant hyssop, plus non-natives. R. Giant hyssop, tall fleabane, delphinium and hollyhock

WN: What lovely, beautiful gardens - they must be humming and buzzing with myriads of native insects!

From Kathy Goble, Belgravia Arts Park volunteer coordinator: Thought you may enjoy a few photos from the Belgravia Arts Park Native Plant Bed. The ENPS assisted our community in 2006 in sourcing and planting it. It is still going strong and there are lovely surprises each year.

L. Common tall sunflower, Helianthus nuttallii. C. Meadow blazingstar, Liatris Ligulistylis, and wild blue flax, Linum lewisii. R. Beebalm, wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa.

WN: What a wonderful display of native wildflowers.