Species Profile: Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

March 17, 2017 / no comments

Despite the recent snowstorm that blanketed much of Southern Ontario, Spring is just around the corner (March 20 to be specific).  What better way to get a glimpse into Spring than to profile one of our favourite early bloomers, Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).  Wild Strawberry is a flowering herbaceous perennial that blooms in the late spring/early summer and continues to spread by creeping stolons (horizontal stems) all summer.

Fragaria virginiana is typically found in patches in open fields, waste places, and dry openings.  It produces a small, tasty strawberry, which is edible.  The edible “fruit” is actually an aggregate of tiny, hard fruits called achenes, embedded in a fleshy receptacle, where the flower petals attach to the stem. This species is a favourite of many insects, birds, and animals.  The nectar and pollen of the flowers attracts bees, flies, and small butterflies.  It is also common to see robins, pheasants, squirrels, chipmunks, and mice enjoying the tasty fruit.

Fragaria virginiana is an excellent groundcover species providing a wonderful carpet of foliage.  Once established, it has been successful in crowding out weeds and other invasive species, providing year round protection to the soil.  This species does require regular maintenance to remove dieback.  Not only does Fragaira virginiana thrive as a groundcover, it can also be used for border edging, as well as naturalizing and woodland gardens.

This perennial thrives in full to part sun in average moistness, but will not tolerate flooding.

To find out more about the Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) please visit our website at www.swnec.element13.ca.

Many Native Species Offer Suitable Replacements For Ash Tree

March 5, 2017 / no comments

Native SpeciesSince first being discovered in North America in 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has killed millions of Ash trees throughout Ontario, and the Great Lakes States.  The EAB is known to attack both stressed and healthy Ash trees, and because it has no known enemies, there is no widely accepted treatment to control the population.  The results have been loss of habitat and food for other species, loss of urban and rural biodiversity, and a loss of valuable timber used for the production of furniture, buildings, and recreation.

Ash Trees were once a staple throughout municipalities because of their quick growing nature and adaptability along urban streets.  In some cases, it has been reported that Ash Trees have made up almost 20% of a municipality’s urban canopy.  This poses a serious threat as the removal of these trees has a negative impact on air quality, biodiversity, wildlife, as well as tourism, property value, and the quality of life within urban environments.

Replacements For Ash TreeBased on the degree of infestation and health, many ash trees are being removed to limit hazardous conditions and minimize the safety risk associated with these dead and declining trees.  In order to maintain the current number of trees, replacement plantings have begun in many areas.

St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre offers many alternatives that would be ideal to replace Ash trees that need to be removed as a result of EAB.  When selecting a replacement species, it is important to consider soil type and quantity, its ability to work with the surroundings, as well as the requirements for pollution and salt tolerance.  We encourage you to please contact us to discuss your needs so that we can assist you in finding an ideal alternative.

Species to consider:

Larger Trees

  • American Basswood (Tilia Americana)
  • Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
  • Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
  • Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
  • Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
  • Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
  • Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
  • Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Small Trees & Shrubs

  • Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
  • Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea, humilis)
  • Wild Crabapple (Malus coronaria)

Species for larger areas/parks

  • Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
  • Freeman Maple (Acer X freemani)
  • Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipfera)

If you are working to replace Ash Trees in your community please contact us today to discuss the best solution to fit your planting needs.  Call us toll free at 1 866 640 8733 or email info@swnec.element13.ca.

 

Six Plants to Cure the Winter Blahs

February 8, 2017 / no comments

February days can have you feeling dull and grey.  Luckily, there are a number of great native plants that can offer you a splash of colour to help cure your winter blahs.  Here are a few of our favourites:

  1. Carex platyphylla – BlBlue Sedgeue Sedge

Keep your shade garden green all year with this fun little sedge. It forms low mounds of bluish green leaves that over-winter, followed by a flush of tiny yellow florets, and bright turquois new leaves in the early spring. Best in dry-medium shade/part shade

  1. Winterberry HollyIlex verticillata – Winterberry Holly

Holly will liven up your winter garden, feeding birds, and adding a burst of red while the berries last. A mature holly can be selectively pruned to provide berry branches to make your own festive decorations!

  1. American SycamorePlatanus occidentalis – American Sycamore

American Sycamore is a cousin of the exotic hybrid London Plane Tree, and shares its characteristic plated, pale bard, peeling off in multi-colored sections, resembling a puzzle or topographical map.

  1. RoundHeaded BushcloverLespedeza capitata – Round-Headed Bushclover

During the summer, this native legume is working hard, fixing soil nitrogen, and feeding solitary bees. In the winter the soft, fuzzy seed heads sway in the wind, on top-heavy stems like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, flinging their seeds one by one. If nothing else, they will make your winter garden a more bizzare and amusing place

  1. Staghorn SumacRhus typhina – Staghorn Sumac

Sumacs need space to realize their true potential. Their widely spreading and colonizing habit make appear architecturally designed, especially in winter when the branches are bare. Sumac berries are a staple mid-winter food for many large birds and small mammals.

6.  Red CedarJuniperus virginiana – Red Cedar

This slender evergreen tree will take some of the harshest upland growing conditions. Red Cedar tolerates drying winter winds, and summer drought. In early winter, its berries are a favorite of Cedar Waxwings, and other songbirds. Planting in staggered rows can provide an ideal wind-break and snow-fence.