HOLD OFF ON WEED KILLER AND PLANT GROUND COVER INSTEAD
North American gardeners are blessed with an amazing diversity of native perennials. Many can be found right in our own hometowns. However, this diversity is not fully appreciated. A few natives are among our more popular perennials including Phlox subulata, Phlox paniculata and Tiarella cordifolia. There has been a historic bias in the horticultural industry against the use of natives. The most compelling reason for this is that natives were equated with weeds. If it grew in the woods, the wetlands, the fields, it surely was not “worthy” of garden use. Plants needed to be distinct from the natural world and refined by man before they were accepted by the gardening public.
People’s views about the natural world are changing.
Yes, people's views are shifting, moving from purely aesthetic gardening towards recognizing the ecological role of native, pollinator-friendly perennials as landowners are transforming lawns into functional habitats that support biodiversity, reduce pesticide use, and contribute to local ecosystems. This change emphasizes functional beauty, embraces "weeds" like clover, and sees gardening as a form of conservation.
Those that appreciate gardening as a visitor or for those that want to work with the soil and create garden vignettes want to surround their homes with beautiful living plants are learning quickly there are multitudes of attractive native plants out there fit for garden use. Gardens should be planted in layers. Starting with the ornamental trees, then shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and finish with ground cover.
The following are favorite plants that Peter uses in his gardens for our clients. Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) is so pleasing to look at about all year long. I used to say that Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed) was my favorite orange flowered perennial, but it is now It apart of the top 10 best orange flowers. Heliopsis helianthoides with a heavy show of yellow daisies mid to late summer came I planted in my perennial garden in 2015, and it is still used in our designs today. Panicum amarum ‘Dewey Blue’ is a winner, graceful, clump-forming blue foliage turning buff for winter with attractive seed heads that is attractive August through winter.
You're absolutely right: "right plant, right place" is the fundamental principle for gardening success, meaning matching a plant's needs (sun, water, soil type/pH, climate) to your specific site conditions (microclimates, soil texture) ensures robust growth, less work, and fewer pests/diseases. Key factors to analyze are sunlight patterns, soil quality (drainage, pH, nutrients), water availability, and your USDA Hardiness Zone, allowing you to select plants that thrive naturally rather than struggle, creating a beautiful, sustainable landscape.
Peter Atkins and Associates, a 100% NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care business, specializes in organic weed control, offering services for property owners looking for chemical-free solutions.
Why not beat the weeds to the punch, hold off the herbicides and plant ground covers.