|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Plants you can live with
1:47 p.m., May 4, 2006--This time of year, local lawns and gardens are bursting with colorful, exotic blooms. Your own yard may be looking pretty dull in comparison. But, before you start planting one of everything you see in your neighbor's yard, take the time to learn more. Many of the flowering trees, shrubs and perennials found in the area landscape belong to a group known as invasive nonnative plants, according to Sue Barton, Cooperative Extension ornamental horticulture specialist. “Homeowners tend to use nonnative plants in their gardens because they are easy-to-grow. Since these plants come from other regions of the world, they have few natural enemies here,” Barton said. “However, birds often eat from these plants, unintentionally dropping seeds as they return home to their nests. Because of this seed transfer, nonnative invasive plants are over-populating many parks and woodlands in New Castle County, including Bellevue State Park and White Clay Creek State Park. “Gardeners may think that just one invasive plant won't harm the environment,” Barton said, “but if each of your neighbors has one of these invasive species, you can see how problems quickly develop.” Fortunately, it's possible to find hardy, easy-to-grow native and nonnative plants, with blooms showy enough to rival any of the invasive exotics. A good place to start your search is Plants for a Livable Delaware, a 23-page brochure full of superior plants that thrive without becoming invasive. Co-written by Barton and Gary Schwetz of the Delaware Center for Horticulture, the brochure includes shade and flowering trees, shrubs, groundcovers and ornamental grasses. “To be selected as a livable Delaware plant, the plant must be adaptable to the landscape, have no serious disease or insect problems and be hardy to Delaware,” Barton said. “These plants are a great solution for almost any home landscape challenge.” Looking for spectacular white flowers in early spring? The brochure suggests avoiding the Bradford pear (which is considered invasive) and considering a serviceberry, fringetree or flowering dogwood. Or, if you prefer pink blossoms, think about an Okame cherry. Want both white and pink flowers? Then plant a crabapple, which starts with white blossoms that fade to pink. If incredible fall foliage is your goal, the brochure lists a half-dozen excellent choices, including black gum for brilliant red color; swamp white oak for yellow-bronze color; and sweet gum for both orange and yellow fall color on the same tree. Bare patches near your deck or patio may be crying out for groundcover, but don't plant English ivy, a common choice that is highly invasive, according to Plants for a Livable Delaware. Instead, consider wood aster, variegated sedge or goldenstar. Barton said that smart gardeners take into account soil conditions before planting. If you have boggy soil that's slow to drain after a rainstorm, choose trees that thrive in wet areas, such as river birch and red maple. For shrubs for wet soils, think inkberry holly and summer-sweet clethra. If you have a drier yard, Barton suggested oak, hawthorne, beech, fringe trees and arrow-wood viburnums. Shrubs that thrive in dry environments include sumac, blueberry and bearberry. Plants for a Livable Delaware is available online at [http://ag.udel.edu/extension/horticulture/pdf/PLD.pdf]. Or, call (302) 831-2531 to receive a free copy. If you need additional help planning and planting your yard and garden, Barton suggests Master Gardener classes. These low-cost workshops are offered throughout the state; call your county Extension office for the spring schedule of classes. In New Castle County, call 831-COOP; in Kent, 302-730-4000; in Sussex, 856-7303. Article by Margo McDonough |
|
|
