Adrienne - ONCE UPON A CONEFLOWER

Plant This, Not That Invasive!

As we all try to help pollinators and save our besieged planet, it pays to know what not to plant as well as what to plant. Sadly, not everything on offer at the local nursery is a safe choice. While they may look great in our gardens, some plants selfseed surreptitiously into nearby fields and woods as fast and as thoroughly as dandelions. Invasives greatly accelerate native species extinction, so it helps to avoid adding to the problem. Do you know which common flowers and shrubs are considered invasive?

Don’t feel guilty if you discover you have a few in your own yard — most of us do. Over time though, think about replacing them with safer choices. Check out these suggestions to see what you could swap in for a similar effect.

Umbellifers in the Garden

Umbellifers are plants whose flowers are flat or domed clusters of tiny inflorescenses, primarily in the Apiaceae family. The composite blooms are called umbels. Emanating from short rib-like stalks radiating from a center point, they resemble little umbrellas. Both words derive from the Latin umbella meaning parasol or sunshade.

Many umbellifers make wonderful garden plants, especially in informal settings like rain gardens, meadows, and cottage gardens. Let’s look at a few.

Why Bluestar Is Top Rated

This outstanding perennial is still not commonplace, but it’s steadily gaining in popularity thanks to several new hybrids. Both the native form and the hybrids are worth growing. All are highly rated by horticulturalists and gardeners alike. If you’re not familiar with it, read on and find out why.