Backyard Ecology™ - Growing Native Plants: Insights and Stories from 3 Native Plant Nurseries

Growing Native Plants: Insights and Stories from 3 Native Plant Nurseries

04/22/21 • 60 min

Gardening with native plants has been growing in popularity. Some people want to grow native plants for plant conservation purposes or to showcase the diverse, local flora of their region. Others want to grow native plants for the benefits they provide to pollinators and wildlife. Still others are interested in native plants as sources of food or herbal medicine. And some people want to grow native plants in their gardens for a combination of reasons. Whatever the underlying purpose is, we all share a common interest and often face some of the same general questions and challenges.

This week’s episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast features a roundtable type discussion with the owners of three native plant nurseries located in Kentucky. Those nursery owners are Alicia Bosela from Ironweed Native Plant Nursery, Margaret Shea from Dropseed Native Plant Nursery, and myself from Busy Bee Nursery and Consulting. Even though we’re all located in Kentucky, our conversation is applicable to people in other states as well.

Our conversation is a very fun, fluid discussion where our passion and enthusiasm for our work really shows through. Some of the many topics we cover include collecting, recommendations for people just getting started with growing native plants, some of our favorite starter native plants, and dealing with insect pests. We also discuss some of the questions that we are commonly asked. And of course, we share lots of stories and observations from our nurseries and our own gardens / properties.

Throughout the conversation, you’ll also hear us asking each other questions and learning from each other. All of us recognize that there is always more to learn and we enjoy learning ourselves as well as helping others learn. I always find conversations like this educational and inspiring. I hope you find this episode educational and inspiring as well.

Links:

Dropseed Native Plant Nursery (Margaret)
- Website
- Facebook page
- Email: [email protected]
Ironweed Native Plant Nursery (Alicia)
- Website
- Facebook page
- Email: [email protected]
Busy Bee Nursery and Consulting (Me)
- Website
- Facebook page
- Email: [email protected]
Backyard Ecology’s website
My email: [email protected]

Episode image:

Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Photo credit: Shannon Trimboli, all rights reserved

Links:

Dropseed Native Plant Nursery (Margaret)
- Website
- Facebook page
- Email: [email protected]
Ironweed Native Plant Nursery (Alicia)
- Website
- Facebook page
- Email: [email protected]
Busy Bee Nursery and Consulting (Me)
- Website
- Facebook page
- Email: [email protected]
Backyard Ecology’s website
My email: [email protected]

Episode image:

Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Photo credit: Shannon Trimboli, all rights reserved

Previous Episode

Eastern Bluebirds: Biology and Tips for Attracting

Eastern bluebirds are a conservation success story. Their numbers plummeted in the early 1900s. Then in the 1960s and 70s, consorted efforts were started to establish bluebird trails and similar programs. Growing up in the late 1970s and 1980s, I remember often hearing about the plight of the eastern bluebird and the need to put up nest boxes for them. Today, their numbers have rebounded and they are considered a low conservation concern.

In this week’s episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Michael Patton. Michael is an Avian Biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He also recently completed a research project looking at eastern bluebird nesting behavior.

During our conversation we talk about some general life history traits of the eastern bluebird including population trends, mating behaviors, and nesting behaviors. We also talk about Michael’s research looking at the factors that influence how many clutches a pair of eastern bluebirds will have in a year including provisioning rates of each parent.

Michael also shared with us a variety of tips for attracting bluebirds to our properties. Instead of jumping straight to “put up a bluebird house.” Michael took a big picture view with his answer. He discussed the need to provide the right type of vegetative habitat, the different types of food eastern bluebirds need and how to provide those, and then of course the need to provide cavities for the bluebirds to use as nesting sites. Whenever possible, Michael provided both natural and artificial alternatives. For example, when it comes to providing nesting cavities he suggested leaving standing dead trees for natural cavities if it was safe to do so as a natural option, or providing bluebird nest boxes as an artificial option. We wrap up the conversation with Michael sharing some interesting facts that he learned while doing his research.

Links:

Episode image:

Male and female eastern bluebirds on a nest box.
Photo credit: Michael Patton, all rights reserved

Next Episode

Tracking the Periodical Cicadas with Dr. Gene Kritsky

For many of us, the rhythmic chatter of annual cicadas is a natural part of every summer. But then... every once in a while... the trees explode in a deafening chorus of periodical cicadas. Periodical cicadas will spend over a decade as nymphs underground before emerging and maturing into adults. The adults only live a few weeks, but what an impression they make while they are here!

In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Dr. Gene Kritsky. Gene is the Dean of the School of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St, Joseph University in Cincinnati. He is also the author of the book Periodical Cicadas: The Brood X Edition.

During our conversation, Gene talked about the different species of 17-year periodical cicadas, as well as, the difference between broods and species. We also talked about the interesting life history of periodical cicadas and the important roles they play in the local ecosystems when they emerge. In addition, Gene provided tips for anyone who might be a little concerned about any negative impacts that periodical cicadas might have on their trees.

One of the most exciting things Gene shared with us is his research on documenting and mapping the different broods. The idea that whole broods could be missed for centuries or that we have new broods appearing as portions of known broods shift their emergence patterns is fascinating to me. I also love the fact that he has given all of us the opportunity to help document and map the different broods through his Cicada Safari app.

Using the Cicada Safari app, we can help Gene and other researchers gain a better understanding of the distribution of the different broods. With today’s tools and technology, we have the opportunity to easily help create much more detailed and comprehensive maps of the broods than scientists have ever been able to do before. But to it will take all of us working together and documenting what is happening in our own yards and communities. I think that’s exciting and hope we can help grant Gene’s wish to completely overwhelm him with data.

I also appreciate all of the fun and educational resources that are included in the Cicada Safari app and on the Cicada Safari website. Whether you want to learn how to identify the different species, just have some fun making origami cicadas, learn how to dive into the historic records to try and identify overlooked broods in your area, or are looking for potential science fair project ideas, the Cicada Safari website has you covered. Links to the Cicada Safari website, Gene’s book, and other periodical cicada resources he recommended can be found below.

When we recorded this in 2021, Brood X was the periodical cicada emergence that we were looking forward to. However, at least one brood of periodical cicadas emerges somewhere in the country every year. So, no matter when you listen to this episode, it is likely that there will be an emergence somewhere in the U.S. that needs to be documented and mapped.

Links: