Bringing Nature Home to Your Own Backyard

INSIDEBeyond SustainableToward a More Beneficial LandscapeCreating a Beneficial LandscapeEmbracing Biodiversity Landscaping for Birds & WildlifeAttracting ButterfliesFrom the Ground upResources for BiodiversityNatives for BiodiversityNot Just a Foundation PlantingIf Everyone Did One Thing

Justin Evertson, Nebraska Forest Service

Peopleingeneralseemtoharboranaturalfeartowardmanyofthecreaturesinhabitingouryardsandtheland-scapesaroundus.Someofthisfeariscertainlyunderstand-able,afterall,abeeorwaspstinghurts!Othersofthesecreaturesarejustcreepy—spiders,mantids,ants,snakes,bats.Ifwestopandthinkaboutit,however,we’llsoonrealizethatwereallydon’thavemuchtofearandinfactthereismuchtobegainedifwecanfindawaytobetterappreciatethesecreatures.Thebeautifulgoldenrodinvitescrabspidersandsoldierbeetleswholovetodineonaphidsandothersmallinsects.Amilkweedwillfeedthelarvaeofthebeautifulmonarch(andmanyotherspecies)whilealsoscentingthegardenwithitssweetfragrance.Plantingapenstemonwillattractbumblebees,coneflowerswillattractgoldfinches,columbinewillbringhummingbirds,aservice-berrywillfeedmanybirdsandanoaktreeprovideshabitatforliterallyhundredsofspecies.Theseareallcreaturestobecelebrated,notfeared. Dr.DouglasTallamy,ProfessorofEntomologyandWildlifeEcologyattheUniversityofDelaware,wroteabookin2007titledBringing Nature Home.Thisbookanditsmessageofsustainabilitydefinitelycaughtourfancy.Infactmanyofushavebeenusingitasaprimarypointofrefer-enceforthelastseveralyears.Tallamy’smessageissimple:byutilizingmorenativeplantsinourhomelandscapes,we’llbettersustainwildlife—andultimately,bettersustainourselves.Westronglyencourageanyonewithaninterestintheenvironmentandtheirownhomelandscapetogiveitaread. ThisissueofThe Seedisourtakeon“BringingNatureHome.”Inityou’llfindavarietyofinformationcovering

suchtopicsasbiodiversity,nativeplants,beneficialwildlife,landscapedesign,healthysoilandasustainabilitychecklist.Therehasbeenanexplosionofgoodinformationonthesesubjectsinrecentyearsandwe’vetriedtoincludealistofsomeofthebestwebsitesandbookstoperuseforadditionalinformation.Ultimately,wehopetheinformationhelpsmakeitclearthatjustaboutanyonecanmakeapositivedifferencefornativefloraandfaunawithverysimpleeffortsrightintheirownyards. Therearemanythingswecanalldotolivemoresustain-ably.Oneofthemostenjoyableisgrow-ingnativeplantsinourownyardsthatattractamenagerieofbirds,insectsandothernativewild-lifethatpromisetoentertainandinspireusyear-round.

The Seed Beneficial LandscapesNebraska Statewide Arboretum, Inc. Sustainable Landscapes for Healthy Homes & Communities Winter 2011

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Kendall Weyers, Nebraska Forest Service

Naturecanbeawonderfulteacher,offeringlessonsinbiology,chemistryandphysicsthatrangefromsubtletodramatic,intricatetosimple.Yetmaybethemostimportantlessonisnature’sabilitytoprovideforallwhilewastingnothinginanelegantlyself-sufficientsystem.Abalancedecosystemtakescareofitself,witheachcastmember—frombirdstobugs,microbestofungi,suntosoil—playinganessentialrole.Learningfromandmimickingtheeffi-ciency,diversityandbeautyofnatureisthefoundationofsustainablelandscaping.Ofcoursewecan’tduplicatethecomplexconnectionsofnature,butthecloserwemovetowardfollowingitseffectiverulesofaclosed-loopsystem,themoresustainableourhomelandscapesbecome.Moreandmorepeoplearefinallyrealizingourown

healthandwell-beingdependsonhealthyecosystems,andthat“traditional”orstandardlandscapingleadsusintheoppositedirection(“traditional”landscapinghasonlydevelopedtoitsextremeleveloverthelastseveraldecadesandisfarfromlandscapingnormsfurtherbackinhistory).Reviewingthepotentialnegativeimpactsofstandardlandscapingmakesitobviousthathowwecareforouryardhasimpactsfarbeyondthepropertylines: Consumesexcessiveamountsofnaturalresources(water,fertilizers,fuel,etc.)

Consumesexcessiveamountsoftime,laborandmoney Reducesbiodiversity(reducingecosystemresiliency,balanceandbeauty)

Degradesthesoil Createsair,noiseandwaterpollution Contributestofloodingproblems

Themainobjectiveofsustainablelandscapingistoreducenegativeimpacts.Buttruesustainablelandscapinggoesfarbeyondreducingthenegativetobecome,notneutralorstatic,butbeneficial: Enhancesthehealth,productivityandstructureofthesoil

Provideshabitatforbeneficialwildlife(birds,pollina-tors,microorganisms,etc.)

Providesediblesforourselves Enhancesthebeautyandpsychologicalbenefitsofthelandscape

Expandstheteachingandrecreationalcapacityofthelandscape

Enhancesourconnectiontonature

Sohowdowedothis?Oneapproachistotryto“think”andactlikenature—usewhatyouhave,useitefficiently,stickwithwhatworksanddiversify.Forex-ample,insteadoftreatingclippingsandleavesaswasteandexpendingfuel,moneyandeffortbaggingandhaulingthemtothedumpwheretheybecomeaproblem,treatthemastheresourcestheyare.Bycompostingthemandworkingwithnature,theresultisavaluableproductthatcanbereturnedtoyourlandscape—andyou’vejustcre-atedaclosedloopsystem.Lookat

anythingyouaredoinginyouryardandusecommonsenseandlogictoseeiftheremaybeabetterway.Considerdoingthingsdifferentlythanyouweretaughtorthewaytheneighbormightbedoingit.Thebasicgoalistotakeanystepthatreducesinputsandnegativeoutputs.Inputsshouldbeaslong-lastingandbenignaspossible—thinkorganicinsteadofchemicalfertilizerorlocalrecycledstoneinsteadofpaversshippedacrossthecountry.Followingisalonglistofpotentialmeasuresthatcan

betakentomakeyourlandscapebeneficial.It’simportantnottolookatthisasanall-or-nothingeffort.Nomatterwhereyouareonthescale,youcantakestepstobecomemoresustainable.Berealisticinyourexpectationsandtakemanageablesteps:gaugewhereyoustandbycheckingofftasksyou’vealreadyaccomplished,pickthenexteasiestormostappealingtasks(thelow-hangingfruit)andjustdowhatyoucan.Youryard,aswellasyourtimeandenergy,areuniquetoyou,sosetyourownpaceandmakeitfun.Naturehastakenmillionsofyearstofine-tuneher

beautifulsystem,sobepatientandrealizethatperfectandcompleteresultsprobablywon’thappenonyourfirsttry.Takeprideinyourefforts,learnfrommistakes,savorsuc-cessesand,mostimportantly,enjoybeingmoreintunewithnaturalsystemsandhavingapositiveeffectonandcloserconnectiontonature.

Beyond Sustainable

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Photos are from Nebraska Statewide Arboretum unless otherwise noted.

Toward a More Beneficial LandscapeFor you, your family, future generations and the broader environment

Kendall Weyers, Nebraska Forest Service

Usethechecklistbelowtocheckoff,ifyouwant,thethingsyou’realreadydoingandputastarbythingsyouwanttostartdoing.Noscorecard,justenjoytheprocessanddowhatyoucan!

Lawncare,watering(ifyouwater):� Waterinfrequentlyandefficientlyforidealplanthealthandresiliency,ratherthanover-wateringforlushgrowththatleadstomoredemanding,lesshardyturf

� Waterearlyinthedaytoavoidlossfromwindandevaporationandlimitpotentialfungalproblems

� Waterefficiently(don’twaterpavement,makesureanyautomaticsystemisworkingproperly,userainsensortoavoidwateringafterrain,etc.)

� AllowsummerdormancyofcoolseasongrassesLawncare,mowing:

� Mowhightohelpretainmoisture,shadeandcoolthesoilandreduceweedgermination

� Mowonlyasneededinsteadofthecommonpracticeofonceaweeknomatterwhat

� Leaveclippingsonthelawntodecreasemowingtimeandprovidevaluablenitrogen

� Tryaquiet,person-poweredreelmower(andrakeandbroom)toreducefueluse,airandnoisepollution(anduseitasanexcusenottogotothegymthatday)

Lawncare,fertilizingandpestandweedcontrol:� Reducechemicalusebyapplyingefficientlyandonlyasneeded(notbythepre-determined“4-6step”plans).Overuseincreasestheneedtowaterandmow,maycreatefungalproblems,maykillbeneficialinsects,earthwormsandmicroorganismsandmayharmnon-targetplants,especiallytrees.

� Useorganicfertilizersandpestandweedcontrols� Adjustattitude:some“weeds”arebeneficial(likeclover);anymonocultureisvulnerable;theneighbormaynotbethebestexampletofollow;noteverythingthatmovesisouttokillthelawn;andchangecanbegood

Lawncare,other:� Plantlower-maintenanceturfgrassvarieties� Replaceareasofturfwithmulchedbedsofgroundcovers,perennials,ornamentalgrassesandshrubs

Plantselectionandplacement:� Plantspeciesthatareadaptedtospecificsiteconditionstomaximizetheirhealthandreduceneedforsupplementalwater,fertilizerandpestcontrol

� Groupplantsbytheirwaterneeds

� Selectnativesorotherwell-adapted,non-invasivespecies

� Increasethediversityofplantstoincreaseinterest,resiliencyandbenefitstowildlife

� Selectlow-maintenanceplantsthatthriveandlookgoodwithoutconstantattention

� Plantforshadetoreducehomeenergyuseandcreatecomfortableoutdoorspaces

� Plantconiferstoshieldwinterwindsandreducehomeheatingcosts

Materialsselection:� Uselocalmaterialstoreducetransport� Divideperennialsandshareortradewithneighbors

� Growplantsfromseedsandcuttings� Usematerialsthatwilllast� Reuseandrecycle� Useorganicmulches,notrock.Organicmulchesmodifysoiltemperatures,addorganicmattertothesoil,reduceweedproblemsandhelpretainsoilmoisture.

Waterconservation:� Mulchplantingbeds,trees,gardens(ideallywithlocallygeneratedmaterials)

� Directdownspoutstoplantedareasinsteadofpavementtoreducestormwaterrunoff

� Usedripirrigation� Aeratelawnifcompacted� Createaraingardentoallowmorerainwaterinfiltrationandreducerunoff

� Collectwaterinrainbarrelsforuselater� Useporouspavementorotherpermeablesurfacesfordriveways,walksandpatios

Compost:� Gardenwaste,leaves,weeds(ideallybeforetheyseed)andgrassclippings

� Kitchenscraps,teabags,etc.� Coffeegroundsfromhomeandofficearegoodsourcesofnitrogen

� Manure,hay,etc.Growyourown:

� Vegetablesandherbs� Fruits(strawberries,raspberries,grapes,apples,cherries...)

� Nuts(pecan,hazelnut,walnut...)3

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Christina Hoyt, Nebraska Forest Service

Beneficiallandscapeshaveawidearrayofpositiveenvironmentalandhumanimpacts.TheEPAsays,“Ben-eficiallandscaping,sometimesreferredtoasnaturalornativelandscapingthoughitismorethanthat,containsanumberofprinciplesthatrevolvearoundbalancingourneedsandsenseofbeautywiththoseofnature(oureco-systems)because,inthelongrun,theyareinterrelated.”Beneficiallandscapesareintentionallycreatedtoprotectexistingnaturalareas,conserveresourcessuchasenergyandwater,captureandprovideecosystemservices,improvewaterqualityandsoilhealthandincreasebiodiversity. Ingeneral,ourlandscapesarefarfrombeneficial.Wemayfeeloverwhelmedabouthowtobeginormaybewejustseedollarsigns.Howcanwemakeourhomelandscapesmorebeneficiallittlebylittle?Thekeyistoputourdollarstoworkinwaysthataddenvironmentalandaestheticben-efit.Fewofushavethousandsofdollarstothrowataland-scapeandsomeofusmaybeonaramennoodlebudget.Butitispossibletohavealandscapethatisbeautifulandgoodfortheenvironmentwithoutbreakingthebank.Infact,overtimeabeneficiallandscapewillsaveyoumoney. Mosthomeownersspendmoremoneyontheirland-scapesthantheyrealize.Thesedollarsusuallygotowardtraditionallawnsintheformofwater,fertilizer,herbicide,pesticide,gas,equipmentandlawncarecompanies.Mostofthismoneyissimplymowedoffandisnotalong-terminvestment.Turfgrassisanicevisualgreen,butitdoesn’taddmuchenvironmentalbenefit.Wehavetostopcom-paringthegreennessofourlawnsandstartlookingatthebenefitsofourlandscapes.I’mnotsayingyoushouldn’twater,fertilizeorapplyherbicidebutmostlawnscanthriveonmuchlesswater,fertilizerandpesticidethanweapply.Fallapplicationsoffertilizerandpre-emergentarefarmoreeffective.Ifyoutrulywantabudgetlandscapeorwanttofindsomechunkchangetouseotherplacesinyouryard…letgoofthelawn,justalittle. Increatingmorebeneficiallandscapes,designandmanagementareveryintertwined.Everyhomeownerisgoingtohaveadifferentsituationintermsoftime,money,expectationsorknowledge.Therealityisthatnoteverypersonwantsanextensivelandscape.Takeintoaccountwhatyoucanmanageandwhatyoumostenjoy,andthenstarttointegratebeneficialdesignandmanagementprin-ciples(seechecklistonpage3).Alsotakeintoaccountyoursite.Ahouseinanewsubdivisionisgoingtohavedifferentenvironmentalchallengesthanahouseinanolderpartoftown.

Creating a Beneficial Landscape—without breaking the bank

Sincebudgetcanbesuchalimitingfactorformostpeople,thefollowingsuggestionstakethatintoaccount.Herearesomeplacestostart:

1. Look at changes in maintenance first. Thesethingscostlittleornomoney.Lower-inputlawncare,redirectingdownspouts,creatingacompostpile,mulchingyourlawnclippingsbackintotheyard,mulchingaroundtreesandshrubswithorganicmateriallikenon-dyedwoodchips,etc.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyouplantinyourlandscapeifthewayyoumanageitisnotbeneficial.

2. Always, every time you create a landscape bed, add some organic matter (seepage8).Thisisespeciallyimportantinnewersub-divisions.Compostfromlocallandfillsisoftenfreeoravailableforasmallfee.

3. The most common landscape shrubs arebarberry,spirea,yew,juniper,hydrangeaandburningbush—shrubswithlittlevaluetoinsectsandwildlife.Ifyouhaveacleanslate,it’seasytoplantdiverselyfromthebeginning.Ifyoualreadyhavelandscapeplants,don’ttakeeverythingout.Evaluatewhichonesaren’tworkingandreplacethose.Otherwisejustaddtoyourlandscape!Buyingoneortwohigh-impactshrubs(thosethathavehighvaluetoinsectsandwildlife)eachyearoverafewyearscanreallyenhancethelandscape.Atypical3-gallonshrubwillcostyou$35-45.Youcanalsosavemoneybybeingpatientandbuyingsmaller-sizedcontainers.

4. Add a tree to your landscape—a shade tree! Shadetreesgrowlargeandhavepositiveenvironmentalimpact.Theycoolourhomesandcities,reduceenergyuseandofferhabitat.Oneoaktreecansupportover500speciesofmothsandbutterflies.Notalltreesarecreatedequalwhenitcomestoinsectandwildlifehabitatorlongevity,somakeacarefulselection.Thereisnoreasontobuyalargenurserytree.Smallertreesquicklycatchupandusuallyestablishbetterrootsystems.Asmallgrow-bagtreemayrun$100-150,aseedling$10andanacornisFREE!

5. Add a second tree to your landscape—addasmall-ormedium-sizednativetree!Smalltreesoftenhavebeautifulflowersandfruit.Pickanativespeciessuchaspawpaw,blackcherry,redbudorserviceberry.Thesespeciestypicallygrowintheunderstorycanopyoftheforestanddowellinasimilarmicro-climateonthenorthoreastsideofabuildingwithshelterfromwind.

6. Embrace clover: Atonetime,beforesyntheticfertilizerwasreadilyavailable,cloverwasaddedtoalllawnseed

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mixesforitsnitrogen-fixingcapabilities—freefertilizer!Allowingwhitecloverinthelawncanhaveenvironmentalbenefitsbymakingthelawnmorebio-diverse.Itisafavoriteofhoneybees(pollinatorsoffruits,vegetables,andflowers)andparasitoidwasps(harmlesstohumans,butenemiesofaphids,scalesandwhiteflies).

7. Add some grasses or perennials that are native tothisarea.Theyhaveextensiverootsystemsthathelpbreakupcompactedsoil.Eachyeartherootsystemsarerenewed,leavingthedeadrootsbehindtodecomposeandaddorganicmattertothesoil.Theyalsoaredrought-tolerant,beautifulandGREAThabitatforbeneficialinsects.Thereisnoneedtobuygallonperennialsandgrassesifyourbudgetdoesn’tallow.Lookforsmallerplugs,3”or4”sizes.Chooseplantsthatmaygentlyreseedthemselves(freeplants!)suchaslittlebluestem,penstemon,coneflower,Indiangrass,gayfeatherandlanceleafcoreopsis.IfIwasgoingtothenurseryImightbuythreefalsoindigoplantsbecausetheycan’tbedivided,butonlyonepurpleconeflower,knowingitmayreseedorIcoulddivideitafterafewseasons.

8. Direct your dollars for perennials and grasses into a rain garden!Raingardenshelpcaptureandinfiltraterainwaterfromroofs,sidewalks,drivewaysandyards.Thisreducestheloadonstormwatersystemsandalsohelpsfilterpollutantsbeforetheyreachfreshbodiesofwater.Manylargermunicipalitieshavecost-shareprogramsforhomeownerstoinstallraingardens(freemoney!).Thegreatthingaboutraingardensisthattheyconsistofdeep-rootednativeplants—soyoucanskipnumber7andjustfocusyoureffortsonaraingarden.

9. After you have done all of the above, keepaddingbeneficialplantstoneworexpandedbedstograduallyreduceturfgrassovertime.

I asked staff members what they would do to make their landscapes beneficial on a limited budget. Here’s what they said:

Budget Kendall Bob Christina JustinDead Broke

I’d start a compost pile. You can build a bin with basic home-owner tools &salvaged materials.

I’d build up the soil and make landscape beds. It’s sweaty, but mostly free. I would gather leaves from my own yard and others nearby and ask around for old manure and straw that I could add.

I’d look at simple maintenance changes like managing my grass differently and redirecting my downspouts. I’d also mooch off my neighbors for plant material!

It’s not what you do but what you don’t do. Relax on mow-ing, let mother nature take its course. If I could get free mulch, I’d mulch around my trees and shrubs. Beg plants from other people. Plant an acorn! I have eight shade trees in my yard I started from acorns.

$100 Plant a vegetable garden! The supplies to create one are cheap, it will feed my family and I can put the compost to use!

I would spend some money on tree seedlings (they will grow!) and a few small container shrubs that would eventually grow to larger specimens.

I would add compost to existing landscape beds and purchase some high-impact shrubs (those with great habitat value).

Buy a shovel and wheel-barrow to build soil &move plants.

$500 Buy a reel lawn mower, which runs from $100-$500. I would also buy a few fruit trees.

Install a perennial garden. I would also add some more shrubs to my landscape.

I would spend some money on a small grow-bag shade tree. I would also buy more shrubs and perhaps a small-growing native tree, like serviceberry or pawpaw.

Holy cow, we could really change the landscape! For under $500, I built a shade frame, compost bin and work-ing area where I’ve started tons of new plants.

$1,000 I would tear out the existing privet, Alberta spruce and hy-drangea shrubs in my front yard and replace them with more beneficial plant material.

I’d buy bigger-sized plants!

I would install a rain garden! It’s a great way to capture rainwater, they’re beautiful and insects love the native grasses and peren-nials used in them. Most large municipalities have cost-share programs for homeowners (free money!)

I’d do all of the above and re-place a third of my lawn with beneficial plants for insects and birds. With the $500 left over, I’d go to the Smoky Mountains and hug some of the ancient trees there.

Landscaping for Birds &Other WildlifeTips from Dave Titterington, Wild Bird Habitat Stores

Plant Some ShrubsIfyou’rejustgettingstarted,considershrubs.Theymaturequickly,soinjust3-5yearstheycanstartprovidingfood,shelterandnestingsitesforbirds.Mostbirdsnestjust4-6’offthegroundsothedensertheshrub,themoreprotectionitoffersfrompredators.

Let ‘em Go to Seed Seedheadsnotonlyaddcolorandexcitementtotheland-scape,they’realsoanexcellentfoodsourceforbirds.

Stack the Sticks Insteadofputtingbrokentwigsandbranchesinthegar-bage,sticktheminanout-of-the-waycornerwheretheycanprovideshelterforbirdsandaplacetoescapefrompredators.

Leaf the LitterAndthatleaflitterundertheshrubs?Itharborsamultitudeofinsectsandlarvaethatarewinteringover.Perfectforground-foragingbirdslikethrushesandnativesparrows.ItwillalsohelpprotectplantrootsduringthecoldNebraskawinters,providingnutrientstothesoilasitbreaksdownanddecomposes.

Get Certified!Jointhousandsofwildlifeenthusiastsacrossthecountrywhohavebeenrecognizedforcreatinghavensforneigh-borhoodwildlifeintheirownyardsthroughtheNationalWildlifeFederation’sCertifiedWildlifeHabitat™program.

Embracing BiodiversityJustin Evertson, Nebraska Forest Service

Let’scutrighttothepointhere.Biodiversityinthelandscapeisvitallyimportantforhumanwell-beingaswellasthegeneralhealthofourplanet.Andbluntlyspeaking,wecanandshoulddoamuchbetterjobofimprovingandmanagingthebiodiversityofourownyardsandthecom-munitylandscapesaroundus.Thisarticleisnotanefforttolayoutallthefactsandresearchthatbackupthosestatements,butforthepeoplewhostudysuchthings,suchasecologistsandbiologists,thereisconsensusthatbiodi-versityisthecornerstoneofnearlyallhealthyecosystems(seelistsandlinksthatfollow).Mostexpertsalsoagreethatbiodiversityisimportantforourhumanmanagedland-scapesaswell: “Biodiversityhasafundamentalvaluetohumansbecausewearesodependentonitforourcultural,eco-nomic,andenvironmentalwell-being.SomearguethatitisourmoralresponsibilitytopreservetheEarth’sincrediblediversityforthenextgeneration.Otherssimplylikeknow-ingthatnature’sgreatdiversityexistsandthattheopportu-nitytoutilizeitlater,ifneedbe,issecure.Scientistsvaluebiodiversitybecauseitofferscluesaboutnaturalsystemsthatwearestilltryingtounderstand.Arguably,thegreat-estvaluetohumans,however,comesfromthe“ecosystemservices”itprovides.Biodiversityformsthebackboneofviableecosystemsonwhichwealldependforbasicneces-sities,security,andhealth.Bybreakingdownplantandanimalmatter,forexample,insectsandotherinvertebratesmakenutrientsavailabletoplantsandareintegraltothecarbonandnitrogencycles.Otherspeciespollinatecrops,anessentialserviceforfarmersandgardeners.Healthyeco-systemscanmitigateorpreventflooding,erosion,andothernaturaldisasters.Theseecosystemservicesalsoplayahandinthefunctioningofourclimateandinbothairandwaterquality.”(EnvironmentalLiteracyCouncil) Whentalk-ingaboutbiodi-versityandthebenefitsderivedfromit,itisnotenoughtofocusonjustplantingawidervarietyofplantspe-cies.Itisequallyimportantthatthoseplantspecieshavearelationshiptoeachotherandtheotherlifeformssustainedfromthem.Thisconceptissometimesreferredtoasmutualityorsymbiosis.Justabout

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RecommendationsandphotosbelowfromSteveSpomerandJimKalisch,UNLEntomologyResearchTechnologists.

If you want... Plant...

Attracting ButterfliesFewofustakepleasureinseeinginsect-nibbledleaves,butentomologistDouglasTallamysays,“Aplantthathasfednothinghasnotdoneitsjob.”Thesurvivalofparticularinsectsmaynotmattertous,butsomeofthemarenecessarytothebutterfliesandbirdswelovehavinginouryards.Theymayalsohelppollinateourfavoritevegetables,nutsandfruits.Butterflylarva,inparticular,requirespecificplants—nativeplants—forsurvival.Sobeforeyouaddanewplantorsquashabug,youmightwanttoconsidertheeffectsalittlefartherupthefoodchain.

*Other valuable plants for butterflies, skippers and moths include oak, birch, crabapple, goldenrod, aster and sedge.More at: entomology.unl.edu

Cecropia moth Wild plum

Polyphemus moth Dogwood

Gorgone checkerspot Coneflower

Monarch Butterfly milkweed

Crescent Aster

Karma Larsen, Nebraska Forest Service

“Mankind owes its existence to the top six inches of soil and the fact that it rains.” Anonymous Soilmakesadifference...askanygardener.Andthelongerthey’vegardened,themoreattentionthey’relikelytogivetoit.Soilcandeterminewhetherplantssurviveorthrive,howquicklyrootsystemsdevelop,whetherrootswinterkillfromtoomuchmoisture,howoftentheyhavetobewateredandtheirsusceptibilitytopests,diseases,windandheat. Thoseproblemswon’trevealthemselvesuntillater,butstickingaspadeinthesoilcantellyoualot.Ifit’shardtogetthespadeinandthesoildoesn’treadilybreakapart,it’sprobablyhighinclay.Ifitsinksinwithalmostnoeffortanddoesn’tclumpatall,itmaybehighinsand.Ifitformsclumpsthatbreakaparteasily,itshouldbegoodsoil. Healthysoilismadeupmainlyofrockandmineralpar-ticles,with5-10percentorganicmatterandabout25per-centeachofwaterandair.Thesoiltypeisgenerallydefinedbythesizeoftheinorganicsoilparticles:sandhaslargeparticlessowaterandnutrientsflowthroughitquicklyanditfeelsgritty;silthasmedium-sizedparticlesthatcrumbleinyourhandsandfeelsmoothandpowderywhenwet;clayhasverysmall,flatparticlesthatfeelstickywhenwetandpacktogetherinclumpswhendry. Inthemidwest,claytendstobethemostproblematicsoil.Thesmallparticlespacktogetherandleavelittleporespacesoitdrainsslowlyandcanstaywaterloggedforalongtime.It’susuallylowinorganicmatterandinmicrobialactivityandeventhoughitmaybenutrient-rich,thosenutrientsmaynotbeaccessibletorootsystems. Thoughorganicmatternormallyaccountsforonly5-10percentofsoilmake-up,itsimportanceisdramatic.Itcontainsessentialnutrients,retainsmoistureandbindspar-ticlestogetherinawaythatallowsairandwatertomovethrough.Justasimportant,itprovidesfoodforbacteria,fungi,worms,insectsandmicrobesthathelpconvertitintothevitamins,nutrients,hormonesanddisease-suppressingcompoundsplantsneedtogrow.Thesemicroorganismsneedairandwatertosurviveandtheyinturncreatepas-sagewaysforairandwaterand,throughtheirexcretions,slowtheirtransportsotheycanbeabsorbedbyplantroots. Ifyouthinkyouhaveanutrientdeficiency,youcanhaveaprofessionalsoiltestdonebyCooperativeExten-sionServiceorbyanindependentsoillab,preferablyonenearby.IfthepHofyoursoilismuchhigherorlowerthan6.5to6.8,nutrientsmaybeboundtothesoilparticlesandnotavailableforplantgrowth.

From the Ground up RegardlessofthesoilpH,organicmattertendstomod-erateimbalancesoneitherside.Andthebestamendmentforsoilofanytexture—clay,siltorsand—isorganicmatter.Inclay,itforcesthetightlypackedparticlesapart,improvesdrainageandallowsplantrootstopenetrate.Itenrichessilt.Andinsand,itlodgesinthelargeporespacesandactsasasponge,slowingdrainagesothesoilstaysmoistlonger. Improvingsoilisnoquickmatter,butitdoesn’thavetobeoverwhelmingeither.Keepinmindthatmostplantrootsandmostsoilmicroorganismsarelocatedinthetop6”ofsoil;sowe’renottalkingaboutdiggingabasement!

“I want better soil as quickly as possible and without a lot of effort.”

Simplyaddcompostwhileyou’redoingnormalgardenwork.Additwhenyou’reputtinginnewplantsorfillinginholesinagardenbed.Whentheweatherwarmsupandit’stimetomulchexistingbeds,mulchthemwithcompostinsteadofwoodchips.Woodchipswilleventuallybreakdownintocompost,butslowly.They’retoolargetoseri-ouslyimprovesoiltextureintheshort-termandnewwoodchipsremovenitrogenfromsoilratherthanprovideit. Whatiscompost?Basicallycompostisamixtureofdecayingorganicmatter—leaves,kitchenscraps,grassclippings,hay,manure—usedtoimprovesoilstructureandprovidenutrients.

“I want a new garden bed with great soil and I’m willing to wait 6-12 months.”

Startinganewgardenbedcanbeoverwhelming—es-peciallyifyou’regettingridofturforbreakinguphardpan.Regardlessofwhatyoursoilislike,addingorganicmatterisoneofthebestthingsyoucando;andoneoftheeasiestmethodswe’vefoundisthe“mulch-gardening”methodrec-ommendedbyCathieDraine,MasterGardenerandwriterfromSouthDakota. Tocreateanewgardenbed,youbuildupaseriesofthinlayersoforganicwasteandthen—theessentialpart—heavilywaterdownthewholeareatodecomposeoverthewinter.Wateringencouragesinsectandwormactivity,set-tlingin,decompositionandpreventsdryingoutor“press-ing”thematerials.Sincelayersarequitethin,moistandonlystackedabout12-20”high(resultingtopsoilwillbehalfthatheight),thetemperaturedoesn’tgetashighasinnormalcomposting;andsinceitofferstherightconditionsforwormandinsectactivity,morelabor-intensivemethods

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ofturningandmixingthelayersareunnecessary. Tostartanewbedontopoflawn,youmaywanttofirstlaydownsoakedlayersofnewspapertohelpsmotherexistinggrass.Thenbeginthelayeringprocess,alternating2-3”layersofleaves(themoredecomposedorbrokenthebetter),kitchenwaste,com-post,grassclippings,soilandhay.Moldy,rottedhayisbestifyoucanfindit.Youcanalsoaddusedcoffeegrounds,stillinfiltersifyouwant.Waterthelayersinregularlyasyou’repilingthemon,mixthelayerswithapitchforkslightlyanddon’taddwoodchipsorsawdust,whichwillslowdownthedecomposition.Asitbreaksdown,itwillsettletoabouthalfthedepthoftheoriginallayers.Keepitmoistthroughwinter,andbyspringyou’llhaverich,workablesoil.(Note:Youwon’tbeskepticalonceyou’vetriedthis;itworks.) Creatingamulchbedissimilartocreatingacompostpile,andinfactyouarecreatingcompost.Thedifferenceisthatthisisdoneinverysmalllayers,rightwhereyouwantthenewbed,it’sheavilywatereddownandthetemperatureremainslowenoughsothatearthwormsandmicroorgan-ismsdothemixing.Someover-the-counterinsecticidesandfungicideskill60to90percentoftheearthwormspres-entinthesoil,sodon’tusepesticidesnearby. Thisisfareasierthanyoumightimagineandthebenefitsarenumerous:gardenbedscanbebuiltontopofsoilorevenontopofexistinglawn;itrequireslessphysicallaborthanbaggingandhaulingawaylawnandleafwaste;doesn’thavetobetilledinorspadedover;usesmaterialsalreadyathand;and,ifit’sdonecorrectlyandwithalotofwater,candoitsworkinthecourseofjustoneseason.

What about beds for trees and shrubs?

Treesandshrubsneedslightlydifferentplantingenvironmentsandalsobenefitgreatlywhenplantedwithinanewgardenbed.Woodyplantsdevelopsuchlargerootsystemsthatit’susuallybestNOTtoamendjusttheback-fillgoingbackintotheplantinghole.Ifthesoilvariestoogreatlyfromtherootballtooutlyingsoils,rootsmaynotspreadoutawayfromtherootballasdesired.Instead,itisbettertocreateaplantingbedandamendthesoilintheentirebed.Breakingupthesoilaroundtherootballandaddingcompostwithinaplantingbedwillhelprootsspreadandgrowquicklyintotheloose,organicsoil. Ifyouwanttoenrichthesoilfortreesalreadyinthelandscape,becarefulnottodamageroots...butyoucanspreadaninchorsoofcompostoverthesoilsurfacetograduallyimprovethesoil.

Resources for BiodiversityHostplantandinsectinformationfromDougTallamy:udel.edu/~dtallamy/host/index.html

PrairiePlainsResourceInstitutefromAurora,NEisamembershiporganizationofferinggoodhow-toinfor-mationonprairieplantingandmanagement:prairi-eplains.org/

EnvironmentalLiteracyCouncilinformationonsustain-abilityandbiodiversity:www.enviroliteracy.org/subcat-egory.php/354.html

People’sTrustfortheEnvironmenthasinformationforyoungpeople:www.ypte.org.uk/environmental/wildlife-in-the-garden/111

PlanetNaturalhassomegoodpestIDandmanagementguides:www.planetnatural.com/site/garden-pests.html

BeneficialInsects101describessomeimportantinsectstoattracttothelandscape,withinformationonalterna-tivestopesticides:beneficialinsects101.com/

USDANaturalResourcesConservationServicehasinfor-mationaboutsoilquality:soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/soil_food_web.html

LifeUnderYourFeethasgoodsoilecologyinformation:lifeunderyourfeet.org/en/

Web Links to commercial nurseries and seed farms offer-ing good on-line information include: StockSeedFarms(Nebraska);PrairieMoonNursery(Minnesota);PrairieNursery(Wisconsin);IonExchange(Iowa);NebraskaStatewideArboretum

Recommended Reading:Tallamy,D.2007.Bringing Nature Home.TimberPressAdelmanandSchwartz.2011.The Midwestern Native

Garden.OhioUniversityPressMader,et.al.(XercesSociety).2011.Attracting Native

Pollinators.StoreyPublishingGreenlee,J.2009.The American Meadow Garden.TimberPress

Mizejewski,D.2010.Attracting Birds, Butterflies and other Backyard Wildlife.NationalWildlifeFederation

Todd&Rodie.2010.Nebraska Rain Garden Plants Guide.UNLExtensionGuide

Young,K.1993.Wild Seasons.UniversityofNebraskaPressFarrar,J.1990.Wildflowers of Nebraska and the Great Plains.NebraskaLANDPress

Louv,R.2005.Last Child in the Woods.AlgonquinBooksStolzenberg,W.2009.Where the Wild Things Were.Bloomsbury

Kindscher,K.1987.Edible Wild Plants of the Prairie.UniversityPressofKansas

Weaver,J.E.1965.Native Vegetation of Nebraska.UniversityofNebraskaPress

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anywhereintheworld,itisthelocalnativelandscapethatoffersthebestchanceformutuality.Thoseplants,insects,microorganisms,birdsandotheranimalsco-evolvedoverthousands—ifnotmillions—ofyearsandhavecometosupporteachotherinthequestforsurvival.Thismutual-itycanbegenerallydescribedastheweboflife.Itcanalsobeconsideredintermsoffoodchains,wherenativeplantshelpfeednumerousinsectsormicroorganisms,whichinturnareeatenbyorganismshigherupthefoodchainandsoon.Ingeneral,themorenativelydiversealandscapeis,thecloseritwillcometohavinganaturalbalanceoflifeprocesses.Suchlandscapestypicallyrequirelessenergyandfewerinputsonourparttomaintain. InNebraska,thenativelandscapewasprimarilyprairieinorigin,rangingfromthetallgrassprairieintheeasttotheshortgrassofthePanhandle.Therewerealsoafewna-tivewoodlands,nes-tledprimarilyalongwaterwaysorotherareaswherefirewasnotasfrequentorintense.ThisnativelandscapehasbeenalteredsignificantlysincethetimeofEuropeansettlementinthe1800s.ExceptfortheSand-hillsandotherareasofnon-tillablelandsuitedbetterforgrazing,thevastmajorityofthestate’sprairiehasbeenconvertedtofarmgroundandthecommunitiesinwhichwelive.Obviously,movingfromarichlydiverseprairieeco-systemtoonebuiltonjustafewagriculturalcropshasgreatlyreducedthebiodiversityofthelandscape.Howelsecoulditbe?Whereoncetherewasgrasslandsupportinghundredsofplantspeciesandthousandsofanimalspecies(insects,amphibians,reptiles,birds,mammals,etc.)therearenowvastfieldsofjustafewcropssupportingverylittleassociatedwildlife.Thefewnaturalareasthatremainaresmallanddisconnected. Thisobservationoflandconversionisnotmeantasavaluejudgment.I’mpersonallyproudofmyownfarmheritageandwecanallbeproudthatNebraska’srichsoilshelpfeedtheworld.Andofcourseagricultureisvitallyim-portanttooursocialandeconomicwell-being.Iwouldnotwanttoreturnourstatetopre-settlementprairieevenifwecould.AruralstatelikeNebraskaisabigandbeautifulplace,withcleanwaterandair,andwhichexistsatamore

leisurelypace.Ilikeit.Buthavingtraipsedaroundsomenativeprairiesandaftergettingacquaintedwithmanyofthewonderfulplantsandanimalsthatcallthemhome,Ican’thelpbutfeelwe’remissingoutbyrelegatingthisonceproudbiometojustafewremnantpocketshereandthere. Ingeneral,wedoapoorjobofmanagingourland-scapesforbiodiversity.Althoughintotalthecommunitylandscapemayincludeafairlywidevarietyofplants,mostoftheseplantsareintroducedfromforeignplacesandtheyholdverylittlenaturalrelationshiptoeachother.Theyaredesiredprimarilyfortheirpredictableshapesandcolors–andfortheir“clean”foliagethatisnotbotheredbyinsects.Mostimportantly,nearlyEVERYlandscapeisnowdominatedbyatightly-coiffedcarpetofturf.Inoureffortstokeepthisgrasslushandweed-free,weregularlyapplypesticidestokeepoutasmanyotherlifeformsaspossible.Theresultisafairlysterileurbanandsuburbanlandscapebuiltaroundconformityandornamentation. Ourmoderncomfortsandbusyurbanlifestyleshaveallowedus,perhapsevenforcedus,tobecomediscon-nectedfromtheland.Fewofusnowgarden,pursuegameforfoodorexplorenature.Wehaveforgottenthevalueofbiodiversity.Infactmanyofushavecometoequatebiodi-versitywith“wildness”andlackoforder.Andweseemostinsectsasharmfulorcreepy.Wenolongerintuitivelyknowthatthevastmajorityofthelivingcreaturesaroundusareeitherbenignorvitallyimportanttooursurvival. Ofcoursenotallinsectsarebenign.Icanthinkofsev-eraltypessuchasbagworms,aphids,lacebugs,slugs,ticks,sawflies,squashbugs,etc.,thathavecausedmetroubleovertheyears.ForeigninvaderssuchasemeraldashborerandJapanesebeetleareheadedourwayandwilllikelycausemajorproblemsinthelandscape.Butwhatwe’velearned,andwhichissoeloquentlydescribedinBringingNatureHome,isthatbyincludingawidevarietyofnativeplantsinthelandscape,alongwithsomeimportantnon-natives,wecanattractawiderangeofbeneficialinsects,birdsandothercreaturesthathelpminimizethedamageofthepestspecies.

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Ladybeetles,soldierbeetlesandlacewingslovetoeattheaphids,mantidslovetoeatjustaboutany-thingtheycangettheirhandson,parasiticwaspsandfliesdotheirpart,chickadeeseatbagworms,manybirdsmaketheirlivingeatinginsectsofallshapesandsizes,dragonflylarvaeeatmosquitoes,snakeseatcrickets,grasshoppersandmiceandhawkseatsnakes(andjustaboutanythingtheycangettheirclawson).Whatashow!

Biodiversitycanbeavisuallyinspiringendeavor.Byplantingtherightmixofplants,anincrediblemenagerieoffascinatinginsects,birdsandothercreatureswillappearasifoutoftheblue.Butterfliesandmothsaresomeofthemostattractiveinsectstobeholdandadiverselandscapewillhelpbringsuchthingsasmonarchs,fritillaries,check-erspots,angelwings,admirals,swallowtails,sulphurs,azures,paintedladies,sphinxmoths,cecropiamoths…(literallyhundredsofpotentialspecies).OtherfascinatinginsectsandarthropodsthatI’vecometogreatlyenjoyincludespi-dersofallkinds(especiallycrabandgardenspiders),soldierbeetles,milkweedbeetles,assassinbugs,mantids,bees,dragonflies—thelistgoesonandon.AndalthoughI’mno

birdexpert,I’venowcountedover30differentspeciesthathavevisitedmyyard,alongwithotherimportantanimalssuchasgartersnakes,toads,frogs,squirrelsandevenanopossumortwo. Sowhatcanpeopledotohelpachieveamorebiodi-verselandscapeandonethatismorenaturallybalancedandsustainable?Thankfullyit’snotadifficultendeavor.Anyonewhoownspropertyorhelpscareforalandscapecanmakeahugedifference.Hereareafewsuggestions:

1. Start small and work in manageable steps. Theentirelandscapedoesn’thavetobeconverted,anddrasticchangedoesn’thavetohappenovernight.Justdosomething.

2.Don’t be upset when native (beneficial) insects are feeding on your landscape. Thiscounter-intuitivenotioniscontrarytowhatweregularlyreadaboutmanylandscapeplantsinthenurserycatalogs:thatthebestonesarefreefrominsectfeeding.Itreallyisagoodthingthatplantsare

beingchewedonbyinsects.Itistheseinsectsthatwillinturnprovideaveryimportantfoodsourcetoanimalshigherupthefoodchain—especiallybirds.Andrememberthateverycolorfulbutterflyrequiressomesortofhostplantforitslarvaetoeat.Mostlandscapeplantswilltoleratesomefeedingandmanygardenersactuallyplantsomethingssolelyforthebenefitofinsects(tryparsleyordillforswal-lowtaillarvaeormilkweedformonarchs).

3.Learn about the important native plants in your area andthebeneficialinsects,birdsandotherwildlifetheywouldattracttoyourlandscape.Therearemanygreatplacestofindthisinformation,muchofwhichisjustafewclicksawayviaaninter-netsearch.GoodsourcesincludetheNebraskaStatewideArbore-tum(NSA),localnativeplantso-cieties,Audubongroups,specialtynurseries,MasterGardeners,Uni-versityExtensionresources,etc.(seelistofresourcesonpage9foraddi-tionalinformation).Whenbuyingplants,seekoutnurseriesorotherplantprovidersthatspecializeinnativeplants.Afewlocalcommercialnurserieshavecarvedoutanicheinthismarketandtherearemanyon-linesourcesformail-orderplantsandseeds.Avoidthebig-box,nationalretailersastheyrarelycarrynativeplants.Andofcourse,NSAisagreatsourcefornativeplants.

4.Remove problematic and invasive non-natives.Suchinvasiveplantsdisplaceourgoodnativesinthewildandtheysupportverylittleinthewayofimportantwildlife.NebraskaInvasiveSpeciesProjectisat:snr.unl.edu/inva-sives/.

5.Many non-natives are okay.Severalnon-nativeflowerssuchassedum,salvia,yarrow,Russiansage,etc.aregoodsourcesofnectarforbeesandbutterflies.Otherspeciessuchasparsleyanddill(carrotfamily),mintsandcompositesofallkindsaregoodfoodsourcesforbutterflylarvae.Stillothernon-nativesjusthelpmakeourgardensmorebeautiful(azalea,spirea,featherreedgrass,most

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annuals,etc.).Thegoalistonotgetridofeveryforeignplantbuttostriveforabetterbalanceofnativesandnon-natives.

6.Plant native trees and shrubs and work in layers! ResearchbyTallamyandothersclearlyshowsthatnativewoodyplantshosthundredsofimportantbirdandinsectspecies.Workinginlayers,includinganoverstorytreelayer,anunderstorytreeandshrublayerandaherbaceousgroundlayergreatlyexpandswildlifediversity.Adiversegroundlayerattractsthemostbeneficialpredatoryinsects,whiletreesandshrubsareimportanttomostbirdspecies.

7.Designate an area or two in the yard to be as wildasyoucanallow,plantedprimarilytonativeplantsthatareallowedto“dotheirthing.”These“roughedges”ormini-prairiescanbeagreatexcusetobelazywithpartofthegardenandtheywillactasimportantinsectariesfeedingthebiodiversitymachine.Possiblespacesincludetough-to-managefencelines,thebackcorner,theareabehindtheshed,nearthewoodpile,theboundarynearanosyneigh-bororjustaboutanywhereyoudesire.

8.Let the landscape be an “edible landscape.” Manyofthebestplantsforbiodiversityareedibletousaswell.Nettles,milkweeds,Jerusalemartichokes,sunflowers,

violets,dandelion,serviceberries,roses,hazelnuts,cur-rants,oaks,nuttrees,cherries,apples,etc.Thelistgoesonandon.Nothingismoresatisfyingthanpickingandeatingsomethingyougrew.

9.Grow healthy soil!Thebestsoilsforbiodiversityarethemselvesbiodiverse.Soilsshouldbealivingmedleyofinsects,arthropods,microorganisms,fungi,bacteriaandotherorganisms.Thebestwaytoachievehealthysoilisbyaddingorganicmatter.Don’tthrowawaygrassclippings,twigs,leaves,gardendebrisandkitchenscraps—composttheminstead,andreturnthemtothelandscape.Letleaveslieunderneathtreesandshrubs.Trytoavoidtheneatand

tidy.Embracedecayanddecompositioninthelandscape—itisaverygoodthing!

10.Share the effort with your family, friends and neighbors.Learningtogetheraboutbiodiversityandenjoy-ingthewondrouspageantryofnaturewithotherscanbeverysociallyandemotionallysatisfying.Weespeciallyneedtosharethiswondermentwithourchildren,grandchildrenandotheryoungpeoplearoundus. Thereyouhaveit.Biodiversityinthelandscapeisimperativetoourwell-being.Infactourlong-termsurvivalasaspecieswillonlybepossibleifweembraceandmakeroomforawidevarietyofotherorganisms(especiallythosethatarelocallynative)tolivealongsideus.InNebraska,wheremuchofthenativeprairiehasbeenconvertedtofarmlandandwherethisfarmlandisitselfvitallyimportanttopeoplearoundtheworld,itwilllikelynotbepossibletorestorelargetractstoprairie.However,wecancertainlybringmoreofthenativefloraandfaunaintotheplaceswelive—onourfarmsandacreagesandwithinourcommuni-ties.Ournativeplantshavehungondespiteourbesteffortstogetridofthem.Let’sthrowthemalifelineand,bydoingso,throwourselvesalifelineaswell.

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Prairie Plants: A Baker’s Dozen

LittleBluestem,Schizachyrium scoparium:2-3’tall;redinfall.Indiangrass,Sorghastrum nutans:4-5’tallgrassnativewithattractiveyellowblooms.

PrairieDropseed,Sporobolus heterolepis:2-3’;clump-forming.BlueGrama,Bouteloua gracilis:10-15”tall;canbeusedasalawnalternative.

Butterflymilkweed,Asclepias tuberosa:18-24”tall;amon-archfavorite.

Dottedgayfeather,Liatris punctata:15-30”tall;latesummerpurpleflowers.

Shell-leafpenstemon,Penstemon grandiflora:18-30”tall;abumblebeefavorite.

Narrow-leavedconeflower,Echinacea angustifolia:12-30”tall;seedsfeedsmallbirds.

Prairieconeflower,Ratibida columnifera:12-18”tall;som-brero-likeyellowflowers.

Showy-wandgoldenrod.Solidago speciosa:2-3’tall;flowerspikesattractsoldierbeetles.

Dwarfblueindigo,Baptisia minor:18-24”tall;blueflowerspikesbecomerattlepods.

Joepyeweed,Eupatorium maculatum:Reaches3-5’tall;pinksummerflowers.

Standingmilk-vetch(W),Astragalus laxmannii:12-18”;commoninthePanhandle.

Fruits & Nuts for People & Wildlife

Serviceberry,Amelanchier alnifolia:oneofthetastiestfruitsforpeopleandbirds.

Chokecherry,Prunus virginiana:fruitsaregoodinwine,jel-liesandbirdbellies.

Clovecurrant,Ribes odoratum:clove-likefragranceandtastyfruits.

Americanhazelnut,Corylus americana:greatmulti-purposeshrubandgood-tastingnut.

Elderberry,Sambucus canadensis:nutritiousfruits.Sandcherry,Prunus besseyii:cherryfruits,relishedbybirds.BlackWalnut,Juglans nigra:ediblenutswithstrongflavor.

Ten Native Trees

Buroak,Quercus macrocarpa:thiskingofhardwoodshostshundredsofinsects/birds.

Chinkapinoak,Quercus muehlenbergii:acornsfeedturkeys,jays,squirrels,etc.

Hackberry,Celtis occidentalis:afavoriteofwaxwingsandotherbirds.

Cottonwood,Populus deltoides:ourstatetreeisabirdandinsectmagnet.

Americanelm,Ulmus americana:hostsover200speciesofLepidoptera.

Blackcherry,Prunus serotina:feedsawiderangeofinsectsandbirds.

Ironwood,Ostrya virginiana:shade-tolerantunderstorytree.Shagbarkhickory,Carya ovata:ediblenutsforpeopleandwildlife.

Boxelder,Acer negundo:sapcanbetappedforsugar/syrup.Ponderosapine,(W)Pinus ponderosa:hostsanamazingvarietyofbirds.

Native Shrubs & Vines

Easternwahoo,Euonymus atropurpureus:fruitpoisonoustohumansbutlovedbybirds.

Roughleafdogwood,Cornus drummondii:feedsatleast40speciesofbirds.

Snowberry/coralberry,Symphoricarpos:importantwinterfoodformanybirds.

Fragrantsumac,Rhus aromatica:berry-likefruits,redfallcolor.

Virginiacreeper,Parthenocissus quinquefolia:fruitingvinefeedsbirdsinwinter.

Rabbitbrush,(W)Ericameria nauseosa:latesummerflowersarebutterflymagnets.

Commonjuniper,(W)Juniperus communis:berry-likeseedsfeedmanybirds.

Native Plants for BiodiversityJustin Evertson, Nebraska Forest Service

Withliterallyhundredsofspeciesofnativeplantstopotentiallyincludeinalandscape,it’snoteasytofocusonjustafewtowhettheappetite.Butthat’sjustwhatwe’regoingtodohere.Thefollowinglistsrepresentafewofourfavorites,buttheyaren’tintendedtobeperfectforeveryone.Thisisabigstatewithawiderangeofnativeplantsandplantcom-munitiesadaptedtoawide-rangeofsoilandclimateconditions.Ingeneral,mostplantsareconsideredtobeadaptabletofavorablelocationsstatewide.Thosemarkedwitha(W)areprimarilynativetoandintendedforthefarwesternpartofthestate.MorecompletelistscanbefoundontheNSAwebsite(arboretum.unl.edu).

Ten Important BirdsCardinal

Dark-eyedjuncoBlack-cappedchickadee

NuthatchGoldfinch

BrownthrasherCedarwaxwingBluejay

DownywoodpeckerRuby-throatedhummingbird

Other Animals to Look forGartersnakeTreefrogBoxturtleBat

FoxsquirrelToad

Wildlife Indicators of Biodiversity Ifalandscapecontainsadiversemixofplants,includingmanynativespecies,thentheamountofwildlifeattractedtothoseplants,especiallybirdsandinsects,shouldbesignificant.Thefollowinglistsofwildliferepresentsomeofourfavorites.Theycanbeusedasindicatorspeciesofamorebiodiverselandscape.Formoreinformation,seelinksonpage9.

Non-Native Plants To Exclude Inouropinion,thefollowingplantsshouldnolongerbeusedinthelandscape,especiallyinanyareasnearimportantnativeecosystems.Speciesmarkedwitha*arelistedasnoxiousweedsinNebraskaandshouldberemovedfromlandscapes.

Honeysuckle,Lonicera tatarica, L. maackiiRussianOlive,Elaeagnus angustifoliaCommonbuckthorn,Rhamnus*Purpleloosestrife,Lythrum salicariaOrientalbittersweet,Celastrus orbiculatis*Saltcedar,Tamarix ramosissimaOx-eyedaisy,Leucanthemum vulgare*Japaneseknotweed,FallopiaChinesebush-clover,Lespedeza cuneataMultiflorarose,Rosa multifloraCrownvetch,Securigera variaSiberianelm,Ulmus pumilaCallerypear,Pyrus calleryana

Ten Insects & Spiders to Watch forSpidersofallkinds!Beesofallkinds!Soldierbeetle

Praying mantis LadybeetleLacewingsDragonfly

MilkweedbeetleAssassinbugLightningbug

Our Ten Favorite Lepitodoptera (butterflies, skippers & moths)MonarchRedadmiralPaintedlady

CloudedsulphurAngelwingsRegalfritillarySpringazure

BlackswallowtailCecropiamothSphinx moth

Native Woodland Plants for Shade

Woodlandphlox,Phlox divaricata:20-30”tall;blueflowersinspring.

Solomon’sSeal,Polygonatum biflorum:20-30”tall;archingstemswithblueberries.

Mayapple,Podophyllum peltatum:10-15”tall;canformcolonies;apple-likegreenfruit.

Columbine,Aquilegia canadensis:18-30”;bell-likeredflowersattracthummingbirds.

Whitesnakeroot,Ageratina altissima:2-3’tall;flowersfavoredbymanyinsects.

Creepingmahonia,(W)Mahonia repens:12-24”tall;holly-likeleaves;grape-likefruits.

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Not Just a Foundation PlantingInthebefore(bottom)andafterdesignsbelow,principlesofbeneficiallandscapedesignwereincorporatedintoafoundationplantingforatypicalranchhouse.Plantswerechosenbasedontheirvaluetowildlife,thebroaderlandscapeandseasonalinterest.Theraingarden,situatedtocapturerainwater,hasdeep-rootednativeplantsthatarefavoritesofbeneficialinsects.Thelargeshadetreewasseparatedfromturfbyextendingthelandscapebed.

Before (opposite) and after landscape designs by Rachel Anderson, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum intern

NebraskaStatewideArboretum,Inc.UniversityofNebraska–Lincoln102KeimHallP.O.Box830964Lincoln,NE68583-0964

NonProfitU.S.Postage

PAIDUNL

Lots of Ways to Connect! Toreceiveourmonthlye-newsletterfilledwithgarden-relatedarticles,ideasandphotos,sendanemailtoklarsen1@unl.edu.VisitusontheWebatarboretum.unl.edu,whereyou’llfindplantandlandscapeinformationandrecommendations,publicgardenstovisitandothereventsandresourcesforGreatPlainsgardeners. ForinformationonhowtobecomeanArboretummember,call(402)472-2971,emailcpaxton1@unl.eduorvisitusontheWebatarboretum.unl.edu. ThisnewsletterisabenefitofmembershipandpublishedbytheNebraskaStatewideArboretumInc.FundingfortheWinter2011issueofThe Seed wasprovidedinpartbytheNebraskaEnvironmentalTrustandthroughthegeneroussupportofJacobNorth.

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Kendall Weyers, Nebraska Forest Service

Ifyou’refeelinglikeyoursustainabilityeffortsarejustadropinthebucket,considerthefollowingexamplesofthedramaticimpactifwealltookthestepdescribed:

TheU.S.currentlyhasover40millionacresofturf-grass.Ifeachpropertyownerconvertedonly10-25percentoftheirturf,itwouldcreate4-10millionacresofwildlifehabitat,low-maintenanceplantingsandproductivegardensandthemanyassociatedbenefits.

Over800milliongallonsoffuelperyeararecurrentlyusedintheU.S.tomowourlawns.Ifeachpropertyownerreducedpowermowingby25percent(throughturfareareduction,fertilizingless,usinghuman-poweredmowers,etc.)itwouldsaveover200milliongallonsoffueleveryyear,aswellasreducemower-generatedairandnoisepollu-tionby25percent.

TheU.S.usesmorethan7billiongallonsofwateradaymaintaininglandscapes.It’sestimatedthat30-50percentofthatwateriswastedthroughover-watering,inefficientdesign,brokensprinklerheads,wateringpavement,etc.That’sapreciousresourcegoingdownthedrainwithallthecosts(waterextraction,pumpingandpre-treatment,andrunoffsedimentandpollution)andnobenefit.Severalbilliongallonscouldbesavedeverydayifeachpropertyownersimplywateredtheirexistinglandscapeefficiently.Byplantingmoredrought-tolerantplantsandtakingotherwaterconservationmeasures,thesavingswouldmultiplysignificantly.

Youmaynotgetdirectfeedbackonsustainabilitystepsyoutake,butpeopledonotice.Eveniftheyaren’tawareoftheissuesordon’tagree,itdoescausemanytoatleastthinkaboutit.Thoughhardtomeasure,itcanbearguedthatleadingbyexamplemayhavethebiggestimpactofall—changingtheattitudeofanentireculture.

If Everyone Did One Thing

BecomeafanonFacebook&Twitter!www.facebook.com/NeArbtwitter.com/NEarboretum