1. The Prairie Comes To Life
By Justin Evertson, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
When farms and towns first began popping up across Nebraska a mere 150 years ago, more than 95 percent of the state was covered in prairie. Over the years, however, we have mostly ignored the prairie palette of plants as we've worked to create landscapes based on a vision brought with us from the Eastern U.S. or Europe. Thankfully, more and more people are beginning to covet the beauty and environmental benefits that native plants provide.
As the summer heats up and the grasses grow tall, many of the most colorful prairie flowers begin showing off. This year, take a look for the following plants in the prairie as well as in your local garden center.
- Gayfeather (Liatris spp.) - The spiked, lavender and purple flowers of gayfeather are seen throughout the state; grows from 18" to 4' tall depending on type.
- Penstemon species - The tubular flowers of penstemon are favorites of many flying insects; typically in the 18" to 36" tall range.
- Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) - This native cousin of the common garden plant has gracefully unique flowers with long and droopy ray petals; 18" to 30" tall.
- Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) - A yellow-hatted flower common to upland prairies throughout the state; 12" to 18" tall.
- Prairie Clover (Dalea spp.) - Feathery plants that produce colorful tufts of white, pink or purple flowers; 18" to 24" tall.
- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) - Late summer is the time for goldenrods to shine. The flower clusters come in all shapes and sizes but is always yellow.
- Pitcher sage (Salvia azurea) - One of the few natives with late-season blue flowers; 3' to 4' tall.
- Aster species - Fall is aster time. In fact some asters are able to bloom well after the first frost and are available in a wide size range.
Patience is a virtue when working with native perennials. Such plants often spend the first year or two putting down extensive root systems and may show only modest growth above ground. However, once the plant is established, there is no better friend to have in the garden. Beware: when drought inevitably returns or when the temperatures soar and plummet, don't be surprised if you hear your native plants laughing at many of their introduced cousins that are struggling to survive.
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2. Call for Conservation, Tree Planting and Educator Award Nominations
By Sue Kohles, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
If you know of an individual or organization worthy of recognition for contributions in the areas of tree planting, community beautification, landscaping, conservation and education, the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) wants to hear from you.
NSA is seeking nominations for annual awards that honor individuals and organizations who exemplify NSA’s mission of “enriching lives through the beauty and wonder of plants” through activities involving education, conservation, public gardens, tree planting and sustainable landscaping. The 2006 awards will be presented at an Award Dinner at the Oak Ballroom in Schuyler, Nebraska on Saturday, November 4.
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is a horticultural organization with endeavors and initiatives in education, the arts, community development and the environment. A partnership between a private nonprofit membership organization and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, it includes a statewide network of 83 public gardens. NSA coordinates community landscape grants, promotes underutilized adapted and native plants, provides plant-based educational information and offers community landscape planning services.
The following six awards are available to any individual or organization regardless of affiliation. Two other awards specifically for service to NSA affiliates are also available. Nominations can be submitted online.
For questions or a nomination form, contact Sue Kohles at 402/472-2212. Nominations must be postmarked by September 15, 2006.
Johnny Appleseed Award- Recognizes an individual who embodies the gentle good nature of John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) through a sustained personal involvement in tree planting in Nebraska.
Tree Planters State Award- Recognizes an individual or organization that has been instrumental in the administrative promotion of landscape enhancement in Nebraska.
Blazing Star Award- Recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution toward advancing the horticultural use of native plants or the restoration of native plant communities in Nebraska.
Commendation Award- Recognizes individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to landscape horticulture, plant conservation or educational efforts in Nebraska outside of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum organization and its affiliate sites.
Educator Award- Recognizes teachers in grades K-12 who have made an outstanding contribution toward advancing the knowledge and appreciation of plants among their students.
Young Planter's Award- Recognizes the accomplishments of Nebraska youth under 21 years of age for work in landscape horticulture, plant conservation or horticultural or environmental educational efforts.
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3. Botanical Competition Focuses on Grasses
By Karma Larsen, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Illustrations of grasses are being solicited for a botanical print competition sponsored by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA). The winning illustration will be used to create the Arboretum’s 2007 botanical print.
“Nebraska is a prairie state and no plants are more prominent in the natural landscape than grasses,” according to Nebraska Statewide Arboretum director Jim Locklear. “We also think they will prove a challenging but appealing subject for artists.”
Illustrations of seven native grasses are being solicited: big bluestem, blue grama, Indiangrass, prairie dropseed, little bluestem, sideoats grama and switchgrass. “While these are some of our most important prairie grasses,” Locklear says, “they are also growing in popularity as landscape plants.”
The deadline for submissions is November 1, 2006. Only digital images or slides of paintings, drawings or prints will be accepted. Artists may submit more than one illustration and submissions can be in one of two categories: a traditional botanical print or a more interpretive illustration. There will be a $150 prize for the winning entry, which will be announced in the spring of 2007 when copies of the prints are available.
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is a horticultural organization with endeavors and initiatives in education, the arts, community development and the environment. A partnership between a private nonprofit membership organization and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the mission of the Arboretum is to “enhance the culture and beauty of Nebraska.”
To get an entry form, contact the Karma Larsen, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum at 402/472-7923, e-mail klarsen1@unl.edu or write NSA, P.O. Box 830715, UNL, Lincoln, NE 68585-0715.
View previous winners.
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| 4. Acreage Insights- Rural Living Clinics Begin in September
University of Nebraska- Lincoln Extension presents a series of programs, entitled Acreage Insights- Rural Living Clinics, targeting acreage owners and specifically designed to provide knowledge and skills to better manage a rural living environment.
A. Windbreak Renovation & Pine Wilt Disease- September 11-21
Windbreaks are living things and need periodic care and rejuvenation for good health. Learn how to cope with the destruction caused by pine wilt disease and how to restore or reconstruct your windbreak without losing its benefits.
B. Weed Control on the Acreage- October 2-14
Living in the country just means you have more weeds to control. Learn how to identify and control many of the common weeds. You will learn about chemical and cultural control methods for specific weeds based on the weed's life cycle and its most vulnerable growth stage.
C. Nebraska Friendly Landscapes- November 6-18
Nebraska friendly landscapes enhance our living area by conserving and protecting water resources, providing biodiversity in plantings, conserving energy and more. Learn design principles, plant placement, mainteannce, and plant selection for a Nebraska friendly landscape.
Pre-registration is required three working days before each program. Advanced registration is $10.00 per person, and $15.00 per person at the door.
Program times & dates
Registration form (pdf) .
For more information visit the Acreage & Small Farm Insights, http://acreage.unl.edu, or contact Don Janssen, (402) 441-7180, or Sarah Browning (402) 727-2775.
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| University of Nebraska- Lincoln Extension helps Nebraskans put knowledge to work. It provides a variety of educational opportunities, delivered via a variety of ways, so participants have knowledge they can use to make sound decisions to better their lives. Extension assistants, educators and specialists teach, facilitate and collaborate in providing research-based information to approximately 400,000 urban and rural Nebraska residents annually. A Nebraska mainstay since 1915, Extension carries forward the land-grant university mission of bringing the university's resources to the state. As a trusted source of factual information today, Extension is just as vital as ever, and perhaps even more so, due to the diverse, complex -and often confusing- issues people encounter today. |
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