Saturday, April 25, 2009

KTRS Inside Out Saturday Show features Rain Garden Plants plus more blog information to be posted soon Visit these rain gardening websites


KTRS Featured plant today is Ninebark ( The City of Chesterfield's gift plant today distributed to attending residents today celebrating Earth Day and Tree City recognition.) This is an easy to grow flowering and song bird favorite. It likes a wide variety of soil and moisture conditions as well as sun or shade. Perfect feature for rain gardens! Visit this website for habitat details. Easy care! http://biology.missouristate.edu/Herbarium/Plants%20of%20the%20Interior%20Highlands/Plants_of_the_Interior_Highlands_P.htm
Rain Gardening Websites

http://www.showmeraingardens.com/ Website focused on managing storm water, conserving water resources and improving water quality.

http://www.shawnature.org/ Homeowner focused rain gardening and storm water runoff workshop program Thursday, June 11th, 2009. visit link for details and registration information.

http://www.raingardens.org/ “Green Dreaming”, site is under construction, but has some nice thoughts and well worded commentary. Originates in Western Michigan so plant recommendations are not appropriate for Iowa.

http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.gardens.pdf Brochure available as a PDF file. Nice diagrams, demo pictures. From Univ. WI Extension office.

http://www.co.dane.wi.us/commissions/lakes/raingarden.shtml Another excellent Wisconsin reference. Great explanations, step by step “how to” available as a PDF: http://www.co.dane.wi.us/commissions/lakes/pdf/HowToBuildaGarden.pdf

http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/YGLNews/YGLN-May0101.html#rain short but fairly comprehensive explanation of rain garden concepts, nice diagrams. From MN extension office.

http://www.mninter.net/~stack/rain/ Twin cities area garden site, nice explanations, diagrams. Many links to other rain garden sites. Printable PDF pamphlet about rain gardening.

http://chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/spring2001/raingardens.html
Well written article about rain gardens in the Grayslake area of Chicago.

http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/marsh.cfm
National Wildlife Federation article about rain gardening, entertaining, some instructions, plants listed not appropriate for Iowa.

http://www.appliedeco.com/StormWaterMgt.cfm
Taylor Creek Restoration Nurseries, Applied Ecological Services, Inc. website. Extensive information about native landscaping and green development.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Spring arrivals Bloodroot


Bloodroot

Bloodroot is a spring blooming Missouri native wildflower blooming now in rich woods and along streams throughout the State. Only 6-10" tall, it spreads over time into a significant woodland carpet that rolls out as the season begins and fades away as summer arrives.
The curled scalloped leaves push out from under the dried leaves and then relax their sleepy hold releasing sweet simple flowers from their grip. Celebrating their escape from foliaged fingertips, the flowers dance above the leaves briefly (1-2 days) before slipping quietly away without a sound!