Fragaria virginiana – wild strawberry

  Wild strawberry is an edible ground cover that tolerates full sun or shade.  An excellent addition to a permaculture lawn.   Best of all is supports early season pollinators. WIN! Tiny, sweet, groundcover pretty much says it all. Not only is the fruit edible, but the leaves can be used for tea.  Wild strawberry, just like cultivated strawberries, reproduces by …

Helenium flexuosum – Purple sneezeweed

    This shorter and more colorful version of sneezeweed is somewhat common in eastern North America, but rare in Kansas and virtually unknown to Nebraska.  In fact, there is only one known population in Nebraska, although it is possible that others are out there.   Purple sneezeweed stands 4 feet tall as opposed to the 4 to 5 foot height …

Aquilegia canadensis – Columbine

    Aquilega candensis, also called Columbine, is a striking native plants with bright intricate red and yellow flowers.  The genus name “Aquilegia” comes from the Latin “aquila” which means “eagle” and refers to the spurred petals that many believe resemble an eagle’s talons.  These spurs also hold nectar which provides amino acids needed by hummingbirds, hawkmoths, and bumble bees. …

Astragalus crassicarpus – Ground Plum

  Astragalus crassicarpus, also known as ground plum, is a low-growing perennial legume. It is found on dry prairie hillsides and makes an excellent border edge. It has a taproot that breaks up prairie soils and like other legumes is a nitrogen fixer, making food for other plants and for the soil microbes that are busy storing carbon. In March …