Need Some Blue?
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Louise Schaefer
10h ago
Baptisia australis Baptisia australis, or Wild Blue Indigo, is a flowering perennial with the size and shape of a small shrubs, so it really packs a punch.   It occurs naturally in rich woods, thickets, and along streambanks. Reaching up to 4 feet in height, it will make a substantial statement in your garden.  Plant in full sun to part shade.   The flowers are at their peak in May to June, and eventually dry and mature into seed pods that give the plant summer and fall interest. The two to three inch long black pods are striking against the bright green foliage.  ..read more
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Species Spotlight – Magnolia virginiana
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Louise Schaefer
10h ago
Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia and Eastern Swallowtail Sweetbay magnolias are a host tree for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Palamedes Swallowtail,  Sweetbay Silkmoth and Spicebush Swallowtail. In late spring,  they bear creamy white flowers with a sweet scent that merit savoring.  The flowers appear sporadically over a few weeks, prolonging the fragrance. They thrive in moist to wet soil, unlike many other magnolias.  Sweetbay tolerates shade but prefers sun to part sun.  This multi-stemmed, vase shaped small tree can reach 20 f ..read more
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Species Spotlight – Wild Sweet Williams (Phlox maculata)
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Brandon Everett
2M ago
Phlox maculata in full bloom!A Phlox by Many Names! Phlox is a familiar and popular group of garden perennials! However, many people typically know of the common garden phlox (Phlox paniculata). Not as many folks know about the “wild sweet william” (Phlox maculata)! Other common names include meadow phlox and spotted or speckled phlox. The common name “wild sweet william” is confusing in that the garden plant typically known as a sweet william is a species of Dianthus (D. barbatus) and is native to Eurasia. It is not a closely related species to phlox. The specific epithet “maculata” is derive ..read more
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Species Spotlight – Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Brandon Everett
3M ago
Eastern redbuds growing along a creek in Indiana. istock images.  The Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, is a large shrub or small hardwood, deciduous tree in the Fabiaceae (pea) family. Typically, redbuds are fast growers, reaching 15 to 30 feet tall and a spread of up to 35 feet. A mature redbud often has a gnarled or twisted, short trunk and wide, spreading branches. When young, they are usually vase shaped, with vertically outward branches that gradually spread out as the tree ages, eventually having a rounded or flat canopy. There are several cultivated varieties (cultivars) of the e ..read more
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Pruning vs. Shearing
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Louise Schaefer
3M ago
Pruning or Shearing? You may have heard us mention that our Landscape Services crew will perform pruning, but not shearing.  In the nursery, when we are asked ‘Can this be pruned?’ we usually answer with words of caution against shearing.  What is the difference, you ask? Selective Pruning Selective pruning retains the naturalistic shape of the tree or shrub.  Pruning selectively removes growth to shape and reduce the size of trees and shrubs. Cuts are carefully made with the intent to reduce or rejuvenate growth.  Generally, no more than 1/3 of the tree or shrub is removed ..read more
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Tuesday Morning Chats
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Louise Schaefer
3M ago
Tuesday Garden Chat If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we offer tours of the nursery every Tuesday morning at 10. During the off season, we miss the chance to chat about native plants with you. Now, you can join us for an online event where you can discuss native gardening questions with one of our staff as well as others that join in! Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, this is the perfect opportunity to learn from experienced gardeners and connect with fellow plant enthusiasts. From tips on plant selection to questions about our nursery, we ..read more
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Species Spotlight – Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Brandon Everett
3M ago
A beautiful, mature Sugar Maple in Grand Isle, Vermont. istock images The sugar maple, Acer saccharum, is a large, hardwood, deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family. Typically, sugar maples are moderately fast growers, reaching 60 to 80 feet tall, possibly exceeding 100 feet. The National Champion sugar maple grows in Charlemont, Massachusetts. It stands 115 feet tall with a trunk diameter of over 6 feet and a circumference of over 19 feet at breast height! Mature sugar maples tend to have a broad, round canopy with low, sweeping branches if open-grown. If grown in the forest, of ..read more
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Native Plants Provide Winter Food Sources for Birds
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Brandon Everett
3M ago
An American robin (Turdus migratorius) feeding on winterberry (Ilex verticillata). istock imagesBirds rely on a diversity of native plants as winter food sources…will your garden help feed them? It’s winter; food for birds and other wildlife is scarce. Let’s talk about some native plants that can feed songbirds naturally in your garden throughout the winter! Providing food to songbirds by planting native plants is superior to putting feeders in your garden. You are encouraging natural behaviors for the birds and supporting biodiversity in your own backyard by planting native plants. Different ..read more
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End Of Season is Near!
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Louise Schaefer
6M ago
You can plant trees and shrubs until the ground is frozen. Be sure to water them during late winter/early spring warm-ups and dry spells if there is no snow cover.  This is a great time to plant trees and shrubs if you remember that one caution. Now in stock – Flame Azalea One gallon and three gallon pots.  This gorgeous beauty no longer occurs naturally in PA. Blooms mid-May to late June.  Seed grown so the exact shade orange will vary. Plant in light shade, with plentiful moisture, good drainage, and humus-rich acidic soil.   Avoid clay.  Read more about this a ..read more
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Bats in the Garden
Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery Blog
by Brandon Everett
6M ago
At over 1,200 known species, bats are the second most numerous order of mammals (outnumbered only by rodents). Bats comprise nearly 25% of all mammal species, which means nearly 25% of all mammal species fly! Pennsylvania is home to nine species of bats, and an occasional home to two southern species. Why Bats? All of Pennsylvania’s bats are insect eaters and feed while flying; some hibernate, and some migrate south for winter. Pennsylvania bats are not pollinators – bats typically pollinate by feeding on nectar or fruit but the bats in PA feed in insects. Bats play a critical role in the eco ..read more
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