Boy Scout Project- Pioneer Creek |
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There are thousands of local community parks all over Minnesota, many with popular amenities like ball fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, frisbee golf courses, and horseshoes. Parks are parks, right? Well, not so fast. Pioneer Park in Independence, Minnesota, is unique in that it is home to an outstanding native native plant demonstration garden.
How did that demo garden come to be? Well, an Eagle Scout named Christian Eichers decided to better his community by doing an important project that would benefit thousands and thousands of park patrons.
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90% of plant-eating insects use native plants to grow and survive. Without their native host plants, many butterflies and other insects cannot survive. Birds and other wildlife use caterpillars and other insects to feed their young. Over the last few years, we have seen major declines in both insect and bird populations due to a variety of factors, especially habitat loss and fragmentation. Rebuilding habitat with native plants is crucial in providing food for caterpillars, which in turn provide food for baby birds; making native plants the foundation of our food webs. |
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Wild Bergamot
(Monarda fistulosa)
# of Larval species- 10
Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) serves as a host plant for 10 species of larval insects, including the orange mint moth. It is a small moth with variations of orange and brown markings. The caterpillars are yellow with dark stripes running the length of the body. The flowers of Bergamot are a favorite of bumblebees. The minty leaves can be used in tea.
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Orange Mint Moth (Pyrausta orphisalis)
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Wild Bergamot is also known as Monarda or Beebalm |
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Bees and other insects forage heavily on Bergamot for nectar |
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Monarda Fistula is a light lavender color
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2022 Nursery Hours
Hours 10am-4pm
August 12 & 13
Featuring new species!
1480 County Road 90
Independence MN, 55359
For more information visit:
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Non-native Species of the Month
Crested Wheatgrass
(Agropyron cristatum)
Crested Wheatgrass is a perennial from Eurasia that is considered invasive in Canadian grasslands. It is a cool-season grass, meaning most of its growth and flowering occurs in the late spring and early summer. It has been widely planted in the Western US for agricultural purposes, but has been observed to crowd out native species and reduce biodiversity. The uniform, comb-like flower spikes and the plant’s skinny stature can help with identification. Control methods include mowing to prevent seed maturation and glyphosate or grass-selective herbicide applications.
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Native Plant of the Month-
Rough Blazing Star
(Liatris aspera)
Rough Blazing Star has showy purple-pink flowers clustered into button-like groupings which are distributed on flowering stalks. The blooms appear from July to September, and the plant ranges in height from 1-4 feet. The leaves are alternate, narrow with a pointed tip and have a rough texture due to stiff hairs. Rough Blazing Star grows well in full to part sun in mesic to dry, nutrient-poor soil conditions and has good drought resistance. Common habitats include dry prairies, roadsides and open woods. The flowers are visited by a wide variety of bees and butterflies and its seeds are eaten by gold finches and other songbirds. Another common name is Tall Blazing Star.
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We love to read books about our natural world, and want to share our favorites with you! On the last Wednesday of each month we will feature a book discussion and review on our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
Here are the next three!
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Watch our June Book Review featuring a wonderful guidebook, Flower Flies of Minnesota by Scott King, featuring local insect expert and Author Heather Holm!
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Forager Fix
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Our featured Forager Fix this month is Chicory! Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a perennial from Eurasia that has colonized roadsides and waste places in our state, and can even sneak its way into higher-grade habitats. Tender spring leaves can be harvested for salads, and mature, tougher leaves can be used in a stir-fry or eaten fresh with a vinaigrette dressing. The root can be used to make a pleasant, earthy-tasting tea, which has been called "poor man's coffee". Late summer flowers are also edible but are very bitter. Be wary of collecting chicory from roadsides, as run-off and other pollutants can be taken up by the plant from the soil.
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Restoration Tip of the Month |
Thinking about watering your restoration during these hot humid months? Just take a step back from the hose! These plants are largely drought tolerant and if they are more than a year old, they will likely be fine without the extra water. During drought periods they might droop a little and bloom times might be shorter, but they will survive. Planting native plants is a great way to reduce lawncare costs and save water! If your plants are new, we recommend watering one inch a week to help the plants put down more roots. A good time to water is in the mornings or evenings because more water will evaporate faster during the hottest parts of the day. |
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First Endangered rusty-patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) sighting of the season on Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) Have you seen any yet this season?
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