The celebration date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for the largest number of properly planted trees on that day. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.
Gro-Low Sumac (Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’) is an outstanding groundcover shrub that is only 18″ tall but spreads widely. It grows in most any soil in full or part sun. A tough, fast-growing groundcover for slopes or banks, and areas with poor, dry soil. This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions.
This non-native plant, hydrilla, is killing our national symbol, the Bald Eagle. After a nearly 30-year hunt, researchers have shown that a neurotoxin generated by cyanobacteria on invasive plants is responsible for eagle and waterbird deaths from vacuolar myelinopathy. I for one can’t think of a better reason than this to utilize native plants.
Black chokeberry is a multi-stemmed, deciduous, eastern North American shrub. It reaches 4–8 feet in height. The plant’s habit is multi-stemmed, and plants can form large, dense colonies over time, making them ideal for attracting wildlife with both nourishment and habitat.
This Spring, don't plant annuals. Create an ecosystem and fight climate change. What you may wonder does my small backyard landscape have to do with climate change? The answer is a lot. Everything in the natural world is connected. An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things that work together. Ecosystems are often referred to as the chain of communication or interaction between the living organisms and their environment.
Recently a colleague of mine emailed me this image which immediately got me to thinking “what does it mean when we dream of gardening? How are those dreams interpreted?” I’ve had more than a few clients and friends relate to me that they occasionally dream about gardening and interacting with Mother Nature.
Through my association with this diverse group, a wealth of information and resources became available to me with which I could both implement and share with my clientele. One such event was the Healing the Earth That We Steward Seminar which I attended. This seminar offered refreshing perspectives and inspiring discussions of the healing landscape tools that empower us to find solutions as we look ahead to future seasons of stewardship.