IN EVERY ISSUE
Use native plants , perennials to save time and money
By Shani Hay Contributing Columnist
I
think we are all feeling the economy squeeze right now with inflated prices on just about everything . The 2020-2021 COVID situation has sent supplies and commodities in short supply and higher prices if you can find what you are looking for .
Bedding plants which are annuals , are no exception . I have put together some tips to help alleviate some of the pressure to keep your flower beds and gardens around your home beautiful year around .
One of the first things we can do is not work against nature but , work with it . What I mean is to design gardens that celebrate and “ fit ” the surrounding Mississippi natural landscape .
Using native plants in the garden offers many benefits including best adaptability
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to local soil and climate conditions , maintaining food plants and shelter for local wildlife , the conservation and propagation of local flora types , and creating a sense of place that is unique to our state . Just as there are many plant species that are native to our region , there are many approaches that can be used to incorporate native plants into your landscape .
Sure , we are enamored with all the pretty plants at garden centers and in catalogs , so buy a few but , fill in the voids with wildflowers , shrubs , and trees that grow naturally in our area . Local nurseries and garden centers in our state that offer native plants often have knowledgeable personnel that may assist you or you can contact the MSU Extension office for assistance and direction .
Looking at native gardens around the state will be helpful in deciding the look you want for your personal yard . There are a couple of things you need to know before you get started . First , you need to know the topography ( elevation levels or relief of the land ) and hydrology ( moisture levels , or where water flows ) in your landscape . You also need to know your soil type – clay , loam , sand , etc . Knowing your soil type is equally valuable to understanding which plants may perform best in your garden . Soils vary considerably across the state and may best be understood by having a soil test conducted .
The MSU Extension office can help you with your soil testing needs . Your property may be located on the top of a hill , along a slope , or at the bottom of a flat area — or it may contain all these conditions . When selecting native plants , it is best to research which moisture conditions are preferred by certain species so that you are not fighting a losing battle in keeping plants happy in their moisture conditions .
A casual drive along your street may reveal the elevation level of your property in your neighborhood , which can be determined by looking for the highest or lowest points . Or , you can find the elevation of your property on a topographic map , available in most libraries or on publicly available web sites such as Topozone ( http :// www . topozone . com ). The elevation of your property directly correlates to the available moisture levels of the soil .
Once we know our garden environment , we can start selecting our plants . Perennial gardens can be incorporated into just about any garden style . They may be designed into formal garden layouts as well as informal “ cottage ” styles . For perennial borders , which are the classic English treatment of large perennial beds with a mix of flowers within them , try to provide a bed depth of at least 6 to 10 feet . This will allow plenty of room to place taller plants in the back of the bed , and space to place medium sized and border plants in the front .
When selecting plants for the perennial composition , choose a variety of types that will provide an extended bloom time across the seasons . Many perennials will bloom for just a certain period during the year , and a little homework on their blooming times will allow you to combine their bloom times effectively . Spring and fall usually offer the widest variety of blooming plants , and incorporating summer blooming plants will ensure color throughout the entire growing season .
Perennial Plant List The following list of sun-loving perennials is an abbreviated version of plants suitable for Mississippi :
• Common name : Yarrow ; Scientific name : Achillea spp .; Height : 2 ’; Bloom Period : Early-mid summer ; Flower color : Many
• Common name : Garlic , chives , onion ; Scientific name : Achillea spp .; Height : 1 ’; Bloom Period : Summer ; Flower color : Several
• Common name : African lily ; Scientific name : Agapanthus africanus ; Height : 4 ’; Bloom Period : Summer ; Flower color : Blue , white
• Common name : Texas blue star ; Scientific name : Amsonia tabernaemontana ; Height : 2 ’; Bloom Period : Spring ; Flower color : Blue
• Common name : Wormwood ; Scientific name : Artemesia spp .; Height : Varies ; Grown for its aromatic silver foliage
• Common name : Milkweed ; Scientific name : Asclepias spp .; Height : 2-4 ’; Bloom Period : Summer to fall ; Flower color : Many
• Common name : Aster ; Scientific name : Aster spp .; Height : 1 ’ -8 ’; Bloom Period : Summer to fall ; Flower color : Many
• Common name : Astilbe ; Scientific name : Astilbe spp ; Height :
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