As several Wild Ones have encountered, deer are becoming increasingly common in urban landscapes. They can be fun to see, but they can also be hard on landscape plants. At our Earth Day booth, several people asked about plants that deer are less-likely to eat.
By Susan Pletscher Can anyone identify this plant with distinctive seeds? It looks neat, but I need to know whether to pull it up or not before it drops seed. I know that I have a definite weed next to it — like a thistle or something that is for…
By Kathy Bildner In March I brought a cocoon of a Polyphemus Moth into my house. I found it in the backyard on a bittersweet vine that grows up my silver maple tree. I knew what it was because last spring I did this same thing. Mid April it emerged…
The Sustainable Backyard Tour is a self-guided, open-house-style tour of sustainable outdoor spaces in and around St. Louis. Attendees get to see how others have integrated sustainable living practices including rainwater harvesting, composting, keeping chickens, bees, or goats, using renewable energy, permeable surfaces, recycled art and more. The concept of…
by Betty Struckhoff Yesterday morning I was stretching in my favorite spot at my gym, next to a second story window overlooking some Deciduous Holly (Ilex decidua). A mockingbird was nestled in the branches full of fresh new leaves. Finally she poked her head up and opened her mouth like…
by Bill Hoss With many trees and flowers blooming so early in 2012, I been wondering what bees, butterflies and flies people are seeing. By middle to late March I was already seeing a Spicebush swallowtail, one of the smaller sulphurs, a Cabbage White and a couple Pearl crescents in…
By Amy Redfield Last spring I planted a new shade tree – a hackberry, Celtis occidentalis. Thanks to some pretty intensive babying – slow soaker watering every other day for that entire dry and hot summer – I’ve been rewarded with hackberries! Hackberry trees are among the best food and…
The 2012 Grow Native! Landscape Challenge will occur in the Normandy School District. If you live in the Normandy School District and want help incorporating native plants in your front yard, you are eligible to apply. Print, complete and mail the application form by May 25, 2012. Read more about the Grow…
by Betty Struckhoff Strolling in the woods on Saturday, I spotted an delightful yellow bloom with waxy leaves in a low area not far from a creek. It may or may not be a native plant. Here is a photo: Can anyone tell me what it is?
There will be a 2-day workshop at Powder Valley Nature Center on invasive plants. Aquatic and wetland species will be covered on May 16th and terrestrial species on May 17th. You can register for one or both days. More information (200KB PDF)
