How to care for your native plants.
All of our Native Plants are perennial plants, meaning they die back in the fall and return again in the spring for another year of beautiful blooms and food sources for wildlife. Native plants are best for planting in spring or fall. We do not recommend planting in the hot summer months, as the conditions are not suitable for the critical establishment of their root systems and can lead to plant death. If you purchase a plant in the summer, you can keep it in the pot and care for it until the fall. Sometimes potting up into a larger pot is best also, especially if the roots are already filling out the current pot. They can take a full growing season to become established. Depending upon when you plant your seedling into the ground, natives first like to establish their robust root systems before their gorgeous foliage and flowers. Because of this, the full beauty of the plant may reveal itself the following year and many years to come after. So no worries if your plant seems slow-growing during the first year. Have peace of mind knowing it’s establishing those strong roots for years of thriving.
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
WATERING
Watering new plants is critical during their first season of establishment. If they are matched to the right site, new plants should not need extra watering or ongoing irrigation after a year in the ground. How much watering you need to do will depend on the amount of rain, as well as the type of soil you have. Well-draining soils will need more watering than clay soils. Water enough to prevent the soil from drying out – but don’t water if the soil is already wet! Overwatering can be as fatal to plants as under watering. The symptoms of over-watering look the same, too — wilting! If a plant is wilting, check the soil moisture before you water. Stick your finger several inches down into the soil. If it feels cool and moist, it is probably OK. If it is dry, water slowly and deeply. The water should penetrate 2″-3” into the root zone and surrounding soil. This will encourage well established root systems. Always keep water near the root zone, not on the leaves. Water in the morning, if possible. Use rainwater rather than well or municipal water if you can. Avoid watering with ‘softened’ water – this can cause burning in sensitive species.
Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Fertilization/Soil Amending
Native plants do not require fertilization if sited properly. Many have evolved in poor conditions and can become overgrown and floppy if you fertilize. We do like to add Mycorrhizae to the soil to encourage faster root establishment in the first year, but this is not necessary for optimal growth or establishment. When planting, you can add mushroom compost to introduce mycorrhizae to the soil area.
