Native Plant of the Week: Wild Geranium ~ Geranium maculatum

Wild Geranium ~ Geranium maculatum


Wild Geranium is an attractive woodland native in central Minnesota. Found in both sunny locations at the edges of mesic woodlands as well as in shady understories.

The light pink, five parted flowers open as early as late April arising on 2 foot tall stalks. The bushy foliage is palmately divided and coarse in appearance. The leaves can vary from light to dark green in color.

This is a great native plant for drier, well drained soils. I have planted several in my shady backyard woodland restoration and they perform really well. In local woodlands in moister soils, Wild Geranium will form large, showy masses.

The leaves turn a beautiful bright red in the fall giving this plant several seasons of interest.

The seeds pods when dry, separate from the central capsule and each individual pod flares outwards resembling a chandelier.

Look for many types of native bumble bees and smaller bees which are attracted to the open flowers.

Wild Geranium is native to eastern North America. See map below for range.

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP).
2011. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.

American Woodcock Aerial Displays

American Woodcock ~ Scolopax minor


The male American Woodcocks have been busy lately at the local park putting on aerial displays at dusk to attract the ladies.

American Woodcocks migrate north in the spring from their overwintering grounds along the gulf coast. Their summer range extends from Missouri eastwards to Maryland and north into central Canada.

Males become active at dusk finding an open grassy area to sound a nasal 'beent' call. They call for several minutes, staying quite still.
They then take off almost horizontally climbing upwards high into the night's sky. Once they reach their desired altitude they start flying around in circles.

"The movement of air over the narrow outer primaries produces a high twitter. It begins with steady twittering as the bird rises, becoming well-spaced bursts of twittering while bird circles at top of climb. Finally, as the bird plunges toward the ground with sharp changes in direction, a series of louder and more varied chirps results." (Sibley Guide to Birds)

* Be sure to turn up the volume on this video *

The Woodcocks we watched would spiral downwards and land within feet of where they had taken off, again starting their 'beent' calls. The males continue their displays trying to attract females for mating.

Native Plant of the Week: Field Pussytoes ~ Antennaria neglecta

Field Pussytoes ~ Antennaria neglecta


Field Pussytoes is a common native in the midwest and Great Lakes region. Found growing in lawns, roadsides and prairies in dry, well drained soils.

This is an under appreciated native, it could be utilized more on the edges of perennial plantings as it spreads by stolons and forms a nice mat. It also tolerates compacted soils.

The flower stalks arise from the gray, hairy basal leaves in April. If you have a sunny, dry and sandy site in your landscape give this native a try.

The flowerheads resemble cat's paws (Pussy Toes) and are comprised of densely packed white bracts.

Field Pussytoes is another larval host plant for the American Lady butterfly. Look for leaves that have been rolled together. Caterpillars will feed inside this shelter.

Field Pussytoes is native to central and eastern North America. See map below for range.

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP).
2011. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.

Lets go where the actions is…. The shore!

I invited the owners of Natural Shore Technologies, a local shoreline restoration company to do a blog post on one of their projects. Thanks to Bill and Rob for the following contribution:

With someone that is in tune with nature, it becomes so obvious. If you want to go to amazing and inspiring places, and find a hotbed of biological activity, you simply search out areas where land meets water – the shore!

Unfortunately, in urban lake systems, shorelines get assaulted in a wide variety of ways. Impervious surfaces in urban watersheds cause lake levels to “bounce” – having high highs and low lows. Flood waters cause erosion along the shore. Increases nutrient levels in storm water runoff favor invasive species, like reed canary grass. On top of this, humans have traditionally liked tidy shores – turf up to the water, imported rock to curb erosion, sea walls to create a clean, engineered edge. The list goes on and on.

A photo of the shoreline pre-project,
showing pockets of turf to the water
and several patches of invasive
species that colonized over the years. 

Beginning in 2004, the City of Plymouth, a suburb of Minneapolis, was on the forefront in created a cost-share program focused lakeshore ecological restoration. Funding was secured through a Minnesota DNR Clean Water Grant. Our company, Natural Shore, had the privilege of working with City staff and numerous shoreland owners to design and install over 20 restoration projects on Medicine Lake.

One shore that we had the opportunity to work on was the Lennon Property. 

Biologs were used as a way to
reduce wave action, so that native
shoreline species could get established.

Natural Shore staff first met with the Lennons to discuss overall project objectives, how they use their shore, what sort of look they expected, and of course, their budget. After going back and forth with key design elements, the Lennons chose a plan that included a fairly extensive natural buffer along their property.

We selected native species that
spread via underground runners
(rhyzomes). Here, species are
working their way into the biolog. 

Probably one of the most challenging aspects of our work is to meld shore stabilization with ecological function and aesthetic appeal. This boils down to selecting appropriate native plant species, after assessing a variety of shoreline parameters, and use planting methods that will assure survival and expansion. This is where our work can become very complicated.

On the Lennon Property, we had to factor in that urban “bounce”, wave action from wind and high speed power boats, soils, slope, shade, and even muskrat activity. After compiling our species list, we then figured out what bio-engineering materials we would use, materials like erosion control blankets and bio-logs (coconut rolls).

Over 2000 native plant plugs were
installed in the buffer. This gave us the
ability to create large patches of
individual species. This was a look
that the homeowner desired. 

With the plan finalized, we then began our site preparation work. Like many lakeshore properties in metropolitan areas, access to shorelines is often a challenge. Much of the work carried out is done the old fashioned way – by hard physical labor. On the Lennon Property, re-grading and invasive species control was done by hand. 

The Lennons chose to go with a 25’ wide native plant buffer – yes! 

The Lennons have expressed that the project really exceeded their expectations. They now have a stable shore that provides excellent habitat for a wide variety of fish and wildlife. Being one of the first on Medicine Lake, the Lennons provided a high quality demonstration of what a natural shore is all about.

Many shoreline and prairie species flowered the second year after installation.

The Lennon’s project came out at $13,000 for 120’ of shore. Our restoration projects usually range between $40 and $110 per linear foot of shore. High energy shores with a lot of wave action cost more due to re-grading and the use of erosion control materials.

As with any ecological restoration in an urban setting, long-term maintenance is essential. With shore restorations, weed seed can infiltrate via wind and waves. For instance, reed canary grass seed floats, and a windy day in late June may result in this weed seed surfing from one side of the lake to the other. Our maintenance and monitoring of the Lennon property is $650 per year, which includes spring clean-up, and 3 visits during the growing season.

As we all know, urban ecological restoration presents a host of challenges, but we are seeing progress along our shores. More and more cost-share opportunities are becoming available through various units of government. And slowly, shore residents are becoming familiar with ecological restoration as a way to manage their properties.

Bill Bartodziej and Rob Langer are Ecological Restoration Specialists, and own Natural Shore.

For more information on their company, please visit: www.naturalshore.com.

Native Plant of the Week: Culver's Root ~ Veronicastrum virginicum

Culver's Root ~ Veronicastrum virginicum


If you're looking for a tall native perennial that attracts a large diversity of insects (and pollinators) then Culver's Root might be a good option.

Reaching heights of 6' feet where there's adequate moisture, the white spikes of flowers open in late June to early July.

Each individual 4 parted white flower is tubular in shape and are tightly arranged around the spire-like spikes.

Culver's Root is native to sunny to partially shaded locations, often found just upland of moist wetlands. It prefers sandy to loamy soils. If you plant it in humus-rich soils it will spread quickly forming a large cluster.

Another great reason to plant Culver's Root is because of the interesting whorled leaf arrangement. One of few native perennials that have whorled leaves, the 3 to 6 leaves come together at the stem forming tiers or layers.

Although the flowers have no scent, they attract many types of insects who seek out the nectar and pollen. A mid-season favorite of the Great Black Wasp.

Also several butterfly species including the Red Admiral like to nectar on Culver's Root.

Look for Bumble Bees and the beautiful Splendid Metallic Green Bee.

Even small carpenter bees will seek out nectar.

Culver's Root is native to eastern North America. See map below for range.

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP).
2011. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.

Red Winged Blackbirds Return

The male Red Winged Blackbirds have returned to Minnesota this week. Much earlier than the past few years, arriving on March 11th in our neighborhood. Our record-breaking warm winter and mild March temperatures have completely melted all snow. Smaller creeks and ponds are starting to open up.

The males migrate north before the females returning to establish their breeding territory in the wetlands. Already calling, they have been sitting up in the trees on the edges of wetlands surveying their domains.

As they call they spread their wings flashing their bright red and yellow wing bars and fan their tails. The males will come to our feeders seeking seeds as food prior to the mating season. Once more insects emerge, their diet will change to all insects as the young hatch.

Males will mate with more than one female in their established territory.

Females will return in a few weeks, possibly at the end of March this year but more typically into early April. Their mottled brown plumage camouflages them nicely in the previous year's brown cattail stems as they build their nests.

Native Plant of the Week: Pearly Everlasting ~ Anaphalis margaritacea

Pearly Everlasting ~ Anaphalis margaritacea


Pearly Everlasting is named for its flower heads that persist after it flowers. The individual flowers are whorls of bracts that when dried are used in dry flower arrangements.

This perennial native is common in sunny, dry sites in sandy or well drained soils. It is very attractive with the white colored flowers arising up to 3 feet in height above the fuzzy, gray colored leaves.

Flowers open in early July and persist into September. This is a common plant in Upper Michigan growing on exposed or disturbed roadsides.

If you have a sunny, dry, well drained spot in your landscape, Pearly Everlasting is a good candidate.

Another great reason to plant this native is because it's one of several larval host plants of the American Lady butterfly.

The caterpillars will enclose themselves in the leaves forming shelters as they feed on the leaves.

Pearly Everlasting is common in the west as well as in the northern Great Lakes area. See map below for range.

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP).
2011. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.

Snow Fleas - A Tiny Insect That Plays an Important Role in Healthy Soils

Snow Fleas ~ Hypogastrura nivicola


We've had a few milder days here in Minnesota and it's the time of year when Snow Fleas emerge from the soil. Easy to spot when they occur in large numbers on top of the snow.

These ultra tiny insects are not a type of flea, although they appear to jump like one. They're a Springtail from the insect order Collembola. They have a tail that is held under their body which springs down and launches them upwards.

What better way to avoid predators then to get out early in the season and mate on the snow?

Snow Fleas employ a number of strategies to stay warm in these cold temperatures.

1) Their bodies are black and therefore absorb more solar rays.
2) They are protected from cells rupturing by antifreeze (glycerol).
(Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity)

Thousands of Snow Fleas emerging
on the snow near a fallen log

Living in the soil, springtails number in the thousands in every square yard of soil. They aid in soil respiration and decomposition and release essential nutrients through their waste back into the soil. More importantly, they feed on fungal hyphae, which can stimulate new mycorhizal growth and strengthen their connections with plant roots. (Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity)

This is one of the most fascinating and important symbiotic relationships in nature. The mycorhizal fungi provide nutrients from the soil and convert it to an available form (as well as water) for plant uptake. In return, the plant produces more carbohydrates which the mycorhizal fungi uptake in the form of sugars.

So, lots of springtails means healthier soils and healthier plants.

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Native Plant of the Week: Large Flowered Bellwort ~ Uvularia grandiflora

Large Flowered Bellwort ~ Uvularia grandiflora


Large Flowered Bellwort is a wonderful woodland perennial native. It is a common spring wildflower locally, in mesic to dry woodlands.

Flowering begins as early as the end of April, more commonly at the beginning of May in the upper Midwest. The 6 parted flowers have long (up to 2") twisted tepals that hang downwards.

A mature plant forms a dense cluster of branching stems and can reach heights of 18" or more. In the garden it works well interplanted with other spring flowering woodland natives in a partly shaded location.

The leaves are an easy way to identify this plant. They wrap around the stem so it appears that the stem pierces through them like an earring.

A triangular shaped seed capsule forms by mid summer. The seeds are dispersed by ants who are attracted to the fleshy, protein rich elaiosome attached to the seed.

Native bees are attracted to the slight fragrance of the flowers as well as the nectar. Pictured here is a small carpenter bee at the top of the flower looking for an easy way to the nectar.

Large Flowered Bellwort is native to eastern North America, see map below for range.

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP).
2011. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.

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