One of the lesser known services the Arboretum provides is native landscape consultation and design. We have had the privilege of working with many homeowners who want help creating aesthetically pleasing and ecologically friendly spaces in their yards. These are sometimes small plantings around a mailbox, or huge, multi-layered installations. Each is unique, and staff […]
Read More
We get a lot of questions about what it means for a plant to be a cultivar or a variety, and if that is good or bad in terms of pollinator attraction or ecological value. There are lots of strong opinions on the matter, but to really answer that question, it is important to know […]
Read More
It hard to believe that spring is coming as I sit here and await sub-zero temperatures tonight. This extended period of cold weather with ice and snow is hard to embrace but I know “this too shall pass”. Anyway, this cold weather has me hunkered down doing some reading and planning for spring. While reading […]
Read More
We get a lot of questions about what exactly it means for a plant to be a cultivar or a variety, and if that is “good” or “bad” for pollinators or ecological value. There are are a lot of strong opinions on the matter, but to really answer that question it is important to know […]
Read More
Also known as chokeberry, Aronia is a North American native fruiting bush that is sorely underused in the ornamental landscape. Often confused with chokeCHERRY, chokeberries also have a white spring bloom, dark summer fruit, and gorgeous fall color. There are many Aronia varieties available, but it can be hard to keep them all straight! I […]
Read More
I recently spoke at the Oklahoma Native Plant Network fall festival in Oklahoma City. They had a day full of speakers, including representatives from Tulsa Botanic Garden, the Xerces Society and Bat Conservation International. But the real treat of course was the plant market outside the presentation hall. So many great native treasures were available […]
Read More
I love this time of year. Cool mornings and warm afternoons are a welcome break from the heat of summer. This time of year also reminds me that not all trees are the same. Some have beautiful fall colors of orange, red, yellow and purple while others shades of tan and brown. Once the leaves […]
Read More
One of my favorite prairie wildflower species has to be aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium). Aromatic asters are hardy, drought-tolerant forbs that bloom toward the end of the growing season. Their leaves have an herbal scent when crushed. Aster species are host plants for caterpillars of butterflies including painted ladies, pearl crescents, and silvery checkerspots as […]
Read More
Muhly grass is in its prime this time of year, and all our regular visitors are asking about it. This native grass is unforgettable once you see it in bloom, and we are lucky to have multiple types growing on our grounds. Read on to find out which species is right for you! Muhlenbergia capillaris […]
Read More
Rudbeckia is a very recognizable flower. Its bright yellow blooms appear when summer reaches its peak, and flowers steadily through the hottest part of the summer when we all need it most. Also known as black eyed Susan (named after a romantic poem!) or sometimes as yellow coneflower, Rudbeckia is a variable genus with many […]
Read More
