{"id":25717,"date":"2025-03-13T15:57:56","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T19:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/?p=25717"},"modified":"2025-03-13T15:57:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T19:57:56","slug":"what-are-some-things-to-consider-when-planting-native-shrubs-and-flowers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2025\/03\/13\/what-are-some-things-to-consider-when-planting-native-shrubs-and-flowers\/","title":{"rendered":"What are some things to consider when planting native shrubs and flowers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question:<\/span><\/h3>\n

I have a patch of open woods along the road that that has nothing except trees in it. A microburst blew down a lot of trees in this space a number of years ago. Could someone please give me advice about how to “landscape” it? Where should I plant native shrubs and flowers that are appropriate for that location? I don’t want a typical “formal” garden. I’d like something that looks for interesting and natural. I can’t find anything to help me online.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Answer:<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
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As far as “where” is concerned, we aren’t going to be the best resource for helping you determine specific locations. For that, I recommend a couple of good resources on the basics of garden design\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0here<\/a>. Even for more natural, nonformal gardens, these elements are important to consider–e.g., don’t plant short plants where they will be shaded, make sure you like the colors of blooming flowers, don’t plant species that like light, fluffy soil in thick clay, etc.–and you’re thinking about it during the planning phase, which is the best time to do so. But I can certainly help you develop a list of plants you’d like to see in the spot, as well as the requirements for them to thrive in the location.<\/p>\n

My first suggestions are 1) to spend this season making a “sun map,” where you note how many hours per day the site gets direct sunlight (and from which direction–see above re: planting shorter plants where they will be shaded), indirect sunlight, and shade. This information will be crucial when selecting species. Next, take a look at the drainage of the site–e.g., is it on a slope where excess water will run off, is it a low spot where water will pool? And consider that you probably won’t be irrigating a naturalized garden along a road, so think about plants without heavy water needs. Lastly, I would advise having the soil tested through the\u00a0UMaine Analytical Soil Lab<\/a>–you can pick up test kits in any Extension office or ask the lab to mail you one, and instructions for collecting the sample can be found\u00a0here<\/a>. You can note on the paperwork the sort of garden this will be, and the lab can give specific recommendations for amending the soil for pH or nutrient needs.<\/p>\n

For plants, I suggest looking through the following resources:<\/p>\n

UMaine Cooperative Extension “Plants for the Maine Landscape” home page<\/a>\u00a0(particularly\u00a0Bulletin #2500, “Gardening to Conserve Maine’s Native Landscape,”<\/a>\u00a0but also the curated plant suggestion lists for various site conditions at the bottom of the home page)<\/p>\n

State of Maine’s Buffer Plant List<\/a>\u00a0(a big resource for planting all manner of plants in “buffer” zones, but also a great spot to get planting advice and details on species you might be interested in)<\/p>\n

Native Plant Trust’s “Go Botany” database<\/a>\u00a0(where you can look up photos of any of the plants on the lists above)<\/p>\n

Univ of NH Extension “Establishing a Wildflower Meadow from Seed”<\/a><\/p>\n

Wild Seed Project “How to Make a Meadow”<\/a>\u00a0(they also have a tool on their site for locating sources of native plants and seed)<\/p>\n

UMaine Cooperative Extension “Plants for Pollinator Gardens”<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0“Pollinator-Friendly Garden Certification” home page<\/a><\/p>\n

Please let us know as the project progresses if any other questions come up, or if you need advice on specific plants you’ve chosen or are interested in. Otherwise, I think this will be a good start to getting the space planned out. Even if you wind up contracting a designer to help with placement, you’ll have done your homework, know what kinds of plants you’re interested in, and will be ready to make the best use of the professional time.<\/p>\n

Happy gardening.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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